Victoria ISD board approves 2026–27 employee compensation plan with retention bonuses

The Victoria Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the district—s 2026–27 employee compensation plan during its May 21 meeting, an agreement leaders said is designed to boost recruitment and retention amid declining enrollment.

Administration described several components of the plan: a $1.25 hourly increase for paraprofessionals, clerical and classified staff and bus drivers; a local teacher increase described as $1,150 to be layered with required state supplements; a 1% midpoint adjustment for campus and district administrators; a $1,000 one‑time retention incentive for eligible full‑time employees (with a $500 payment for qualifying part‑time staff); and a $50 monthly increase in the district—s contribution to employee health premiums (raising the monthly contribution from $300 to $350). “What we are proposing is a $1.25 per hour increase for each paraprofessional, clerical, classified staff member, as well as for our bus drivers,” an administration presenter said, adding that the local teacher increase also embeds an efficiency meant to reduce paperwork associated with the teacher reimbursement process.

Board members pressed administration on costs and funding sources. Administration estimated the pay increases will cost about $3 million and the increased health contribution about $730,000; administration said retention incentives total about $2.1 million and emphasized that the raises are funded from maintenance & operations, not from the recently passed bond. After discussion, Board member Castella moved to approve the compensation plan; the motion carried 6–0. The board directed administration to provide detailed plan documentation and to continue monitoring enrollment and revenue impacts as budget work proceeds this summer.