Lamesa ISD budget workshop spotlights pay gaps; superintendent urges 95% compensation plan

Chief Financial Officer Scott Lucas presented the Lamesa ISD preliminary 2026–2027 budget and said district staff pay was a primary focus of the workshop. "Lucas stated LISD is looking at the Compensation Plan," the minutes record; Lucas told trustees the analysis used market numbers from last spring and compared employee pay midpoints to identify outliers, with some employees "substantially below market." The review excluded food service staff and singled out auxiliary employees as having the largest remaining gaps.

Superintendent Dr. Bonnie Avey asked the board to consider adopting a 95% Compensation Plan as part of the budget process. "Superintendent Dr. Bonnie Avey requested the board consider the 95% Compensation Plan," the minutes state. Trustee Kevin Telchik said he preferred to delay a decision so staff could run updated budget projections for the 2026–2027 school year and bring those figures to the next board meeting. No motion or vote on a compensation plan was recorded during the workshop. The board adjourned at 5:58 p.m., leaving the issue for further consideration at a subsequent meeting.