House education committee hears bill on pay boost for non‑teaching staff; agencies urge unified classification plan

The Commission on Education of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives held a public hearing Aug. 14, 2025, on House Bill 703, a measure authored by House President Carlos Johnny Méndez Núñez that would establish a special salary increase for all non‑teaching employees of the Department of Education. The department, the Office of Management and Budget (OGP) and the Financial Advisory and Fiscal Agency of Puerto Rico (AFAF) told the commission the bill could conflict with an existing, department‑led classification and retribution plan now under final analysis.

Why it matters: The panel heard that any across‑the‑board pay increase would have a recurring fiscal impact and must be coordinated with the certified fiscal plan overseen by the Fiscal Oversight Board. Committee members and executive‑branch witnesses said a unified classification and pay process tied to market benchmarks would be more equitable and fiscally sustainable than a uniform $1,000 monthly increase.

Department of Education presentation The hearing opened with Saraí Ruiz Maisonet, speaking on behalf of Secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés, presenting the department's analysis. Ruiz Maisonet said the department has developed a single, unified classification and pay model covering 255 job classes and 23 salary bands, with a proposed monthly minimum of $1,929 and a maximum…