Brazosport ISD human resources staff updated the board on compensation planning and employee benefits, presenting three pay-increase models and data on the district’s first year with UnitedHealthcare and the Next Level Prime clinic partnership.

The report matters because compensation and benefits are major budget drivers and affect teacher recruitment and retention.

Jennifer Neighbors, the district’s chief human resources officer, said preliminary models under consideration for 2025–26 included 3%, 5% and 6% general pay increases, with estimated annual costs of about $3 million, $5 million and $6 million respectively. Neighbors said the district had also removed a one-time stipend from the baseline to show ongoing operational costs more clearly.

Neighbors reviewed the Senate substitute to House Bill 2 presented in the legislature, which would create a teacher retention allotment with payments tied to years of experience and district size. She said the district’s estimate for the Senate substitute’s employer cost (for the allotment amounts applying to teachers year 3 and up) would be about $3.3 million if enacted, noting the allotment does not cover employer payroll taxes and therefore increases district budget obligations.

On benefits, Neighbors reported the first year with UnitedHealthcare has performed broadly as planned and that Next Level Prime, the district’s supplemental clinic partner, helped reduce claims costs. She said use of Next Level Prime saved approximately $409,000 toward claims from September 2024 through March 31, including about $245,000 attributable to employees using Next Level Prime for nonemergency care instead of emergency-room visits.

The board discussed timing and legislative uncertainty. Neighbors said it has been recommended that districts delay finalizing general pay increases until legislative action becomes clear. Trustees asked for further modeling that includes the employer payroll-tax impact of any state allotment and requested comparative market data showing where Brazosport ISD stands relative to similar districts.

No action was taken; the update was informational and staff said a final recommendation will be presented once TASB and legislative outcomes are clearer.