District staff outline legislative effects on educator pay, health care and TRS rates; board adopts proposed 2025–26 budget

Arlington ISD staff told trustees on June 17 that recent state legislation will reshape how the district structures pay scales and manages health benefits, and that the district’s 2025–26 proposed budget reflects preliminary values and significant uncertainty.

Holly Stambaugh (staff member) briefed the board on the changes enacted in House Bill 2 and related measures. She said the law includes a teacher retention allotment that will provide a $2,500 increase to teachers with three to four years’ experience and a $5,000 increase to teachers with five or more years’ experience; the allotment is added to the teacher base and will require the district to design a teacher-specific pay scale for eligible employees. Stambaugh also described a support-staff allotment — roughly $45 per ADA — intended for non-classroom positions and noted that some roles historically placed on the…