PSJA raises district pay and boosts employer health contribution in 2025–26 plan

Trustees discussed and approved a package of compensation increases embedded within the adopted 2025–26 budget that district staff said would cost roughly $14.3 million. The package includes a starting teacher scale of $59,300, a $1,250 increase for teachers with one to two years of experience (supplementing HB2/HB3 amounts), 3% midpoint increases for many professional and exempt roles, and differential increases for nonexempt employees.

Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Gonzales testified that the district will also raise its monthly contribution for employee health insurance from $750 to $825 — an increase the administration characterized as absorbing rising premiums on behalf of employees. Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Elias told the Board this package was designed to be sustainable given the district’s enrollment and Average Daily Attendance (ADA) trends. Trustee discussion acknowledged the tradeoffs between larger raises and long-term fiscal sustainability, and trustees asked staff to continue monitoring spend and enrollment.

A trustee emphasized the district’s intention to avoid layoffs as a priority: "I am always thinking of every single employee that we are never going to lay off at least while the State can supply the funding," Elias said. The Board directed staff to report on implementation and to return with regular financial updates.