Edgewood ISD board approves pay increases, raises minimum hourly wage to $15.50

The Edgewood Independent School District Board of Trustees on Aug. 19 approved a consent agenda that included compensation changes designed to raise the district’s starting hourly rate and give pay increases to teachers and district employees.

Board members voted to approve a new minimum hourly rate of $15.50 for auxiliary and paraprofessional positions, an equity adjustment averaging about 3.08% for more than 300 employees in pay levels 1 and 2, a 2% midpoint increase for other staff, and an average compensation increase for teachers the board described as approximately 7.17%. The board approved the full consent package by voice vote after a motion and second.

The action came after public comment and a weeks-long review by board and staff. The district’s superintendent and board leadership framed the adjustments as part of an effort to retain and recruit staff while aligning pay with local comparators.

"Our educators and staff are the heart of this district," the board president said during the meeting. "These adjustments reflect our belief that every employee deserves a wage that honors their work and helps support their families." (Speaker listed in meeting as “Board president.”)

Superintendent Jason Hernandez discussed the district’s recommendations in more detail during his report, explaining the board was asked to consider two specific compensation proposals: an increase in the starting hourly rate to $15.50 (option C, described by staff) and a districtwide 2% change at the midpoint for staff. He also described the teacher pay proposal that the administration presented for board consideration.

The board approved the consent agenda items a–p in a single vote. Later in the meeting trustees also approved two additional formal items in closed session (see Votes at a glance). The superintendent and board members said the changes were balanced against budget constraints and intended to improve retention.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (items a–p, including the 2025–26 compensation plan): Motion to approve made by "Mister Rhodes" and seconded by Luis Gomez; outcome: approved by voice vote (motion passes). Specific recorded tallies were not announced in the public record during open session.

- Closed-session personnel finding re: Raquel Acosta (Texas Education Code §21.021/21.21 referenced in motion text): Motion made by Frank Espinosa, seconded by Sergio Delgado; outcome: approved, with Michael Valdez recorded as abstaining.

- Board travel to Mexican American School Boards Association (MASBA) conference (October, San Antonio): Motion by Michael Valdez, seconded by Rudy Lopez; outcome: approved.

What the increases mean

According to material presented at the meeting, raising the minimum to $15.50 will affect the district’s lowest pay bands (levels 1 and 2) and is expected to produce an average equity adjustment of roughly 3.08% for more than 300 employees in those bands. Staff recommended a 2% midpoint adjustment for other employees. The board and district leaders said the teacher pay proposal would result in an average increase they described as about 7.17% for the teacher pay schedule, and the administration highlighted existing state-funded teacher incentive payments as additional compensation opportunity (presentation noted ranges for incentive payments previously awarded to teachers).

Board members said they considered budget sustainability when approving the plan. The superintendent and finance staff noted the district recently received a favorable financial accountability recognition from the Texas Education Agency, which they cited when discussing the district’s ability to fund the proposals.

Next steps

The approved compensation plan will be implemented according to district payroll timelines. The administration said details and updated pay tables are posted on the district website and that human-resources staff are available to answer questions about individual placements and timing.