Ector County ISD board approves district improvement, turnaround plans and pay changes; hires principals

Ector County Independent School District trustees voted on June 17 to adopt the district improvement plan for 2025–26, approve turnaround plans for TEA‑identified campuses and adopt a districtwide compensation package that increases teacher and staff pay and raises bus driver wages.

The board approved the district improvement plan after a presentation from district staff that described using multiple data sources to write priority problem statements, conduct root‑cause analysis and set SMART performance objectives. “I am here today to ask, to see if, you all to approve the district improvement plan as is,” the presenter said before the motion and voice vote carried.

Trustees also approved turnaround plans required for campuses identified by the Texas Education Agency. Administrators told trustees they faced a tight timeline to submit plans to TEA by the June 30 deadline and described staffing supports to be prioritized at one campus, including a math specialist, a reading specialist and a bilingual specialist. Board members asked for ongoing monitoring and for the district to report back on progress.

On compensation, the board approved a package that incorporates legislatively required teacher increases under House Bill 2 and district supplements. The district said teachers with three to four years’ experience will receive a $2,500 raise, teachers with five or more years will receive $5,000, and the district proposed a 2% general pay increase for other employees. The presentation noted the district’s 2024–25 base teacher salary at $60,600 and that more than 44 teachers earn above $100,000. Bus driver base pay will rise from $21.25 to $26.00 per hour, and the minimum for paraprofessional/auxiliary/clerical pay grades will increase from $15.15 to $15.50 per hour.

Board members asked finance staff about recent budget shifts. The district finance update said purchase orders rose to cover CTE high school and JROTC facility costs and that roughly $3 million was moved from the land budget to fund CTE work; staff offered to follow up with detailed footnote clarifications.

Trustees also approved the 2025–26 student code of conduct and fees (no code changes currently proposed), and they authorized an International Baccalaureate authorization application for Crockett Middle School to proceed to a site visit in the fall.

After an in‑camera personnel session, trustees approved multiple hires: a principal for Bladen Elementary, William Weekley as principal of Dowling Elementary, Marcelo Macias as principal of Noel Elementary, and Cheryl Wilson as executive director of accountability and school improvement.

Votes were taken by motion, second and voice vote; recorded tallies were not included in the public transcript. The board adjourned after brief closing remarks.

Votes at a glance • DEC policy revision (compensation/benefits): approved (motion/second; voice vote) • 2025–26 District Improvement Plan: approved (motion/second; voice vote) • Turnaround plans (TEA submissions): approved (motion/second; voice vote) • 2025–26 compensation plan (teacher raises, 2% general increase, bus driver pay to $26/hr): approved (motion/second; voice vote) • 2025–26 Student Code of Conduct and fees: approved (motion/second; voice vote) • IB authorization application for Crockett Middle School: approved (signature request; voice vote) • Post‑closed‑session personnel hires (principals; executive director): approved (motions; voice votes)

What happens next District staff said they will submit turnaround plans to TEA by the June 30 deadline, bring guaranteed maximum prices for the auditorium and Transition Learning Center to the board next Tuesday, and follow up on finance footnotes the board requested.