TSTA representative urges Alief ISD to compensate teachers for multiple course preparations
Summary
A speaker representing the Texas State Teachers Association asked Alief ISD trustees to create a stipend or other compensation for teachers who prepare multiple different course preparations, saying such workloads require additional planning time and contribute to teacher stress and turnover.
A representative of the Texas State Teachers Association urged Alief Independent School District trustees on Tuesday to consider a structured compensation system for teachers who manage multiple class preparations.
Ron Cotts, introduced as president of ALAF (Texas State Teachers Association) during public comment, told the board that teachers who carry multiple preps spend substantially more planning time than those who teach the same course multiple times and that the extra work often comes outside contract hours. He said research indicates teachers with multiple preps typically spend "two to three additional hours per week" planning compared with single-prep teachers and proposed an additional stipend for teachers who shoulder more than one preparation.
Why this matters: Trustees and district staff evaluate workload and compensation policies when considering teacher retention and instructional quality. Cotts framed the request as a way to improve retention, lesson quality and morale while offsetting turnover costs.
What the presenter asked for - Cotts asked the district to consider a compensation or stipend structure for teachers who have multiple different course preparations and to ensure department resources and planning time are equitably distributed. - He argued that payment or additional planning periods would recognize the extra planning time and reduce out-of-contract work.
District response and next steps - Superintendent Charles Mays asked staff to follow up and ensure the presenter's contact information was on file so administration could address the request through appropriate channels; trustees did not take action during the meeting.
Ending The request was filed during the public comment period; trustees and administration will consider the matter through normal personnel and compensation processes.
