Plano ISD trustees weigh proposed compensation plan as state bills change the landscape
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Summary
District staff recommended an 'Option 2' compensation plan (minimum 3% raises, starting teacher pay $63,000/$65,000 with strategic decompression) and explained how pending House and Senate proposals (HB2/SB26 amendments) would layer on state funding; trustees discussed impacts and urged public advocacy to legislators.
Plano ISD administrators presented a recommended compensation package and a legislative update to the Board of Trustees on May 20 as state lawmakers considered differing versions of education funding bills.
Dr. Tijuana Kendall (Chief of Employee Services) summarized the district’s recommendation—identified in board briefings as Option 2—which includes a minimum 3% raise for all employees, strategic pay adjustments to address pay compression, and a proposed new‑hire starting teacher salary of $63,000 for bachelor’s degree entrants and $65,000 for those entering with a master’s. Deputy Superintendent Johnny Hill said the district’s recommendation was designed to reward experience and decompress the pay schedule while remaining able to layer in any legally required state changes.
Trustees and staff discussed recent developments in Austin. Hill described a Senate amendment to House Bill 2 (often referenced as SB26 insertions) that would provide step increases of $2,500 for certain early steps and $5,500 for later steps, plus an additional $3.4 million requirement related to steps 5–19; staff presented models showing how the district’s Option 2 could be combined with state allotments or used as a baseline if state funds are more prescriptive.
Trustees pressed staff on budget impacts and whether required state formulas would leave gaps for non‑teacher employees; administrators emphasized the district’s intention to layer state funds on top of the local recommendation and to return with a final compensation plan on June 10 after legislative activity stabilizes. Board members encouraged community contact with legislators to press for adequate, flexible state funding; staff reminded trustees of an upcoming job fair (May 28) as part of recruitment efforts.
The discussion was recorded for incorporation into the final budget deliberations and the board signaled support for returning with a final recommendation once legislative outcomes are clear.