The Board of Trustees reshuffled its leadership, adopted a budget with significant raises in teacher salaries for the 2019–20 school year, and reviewed the district’s anti-bullying efforts at its June 20 meeting.
Trustees approve compensation increase for all teachers and staff
On June 11, Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law House Bill 3, a historic overhaul of the state’s public education finance system. The additional funding allows LISD to increase compensation for all staff, especially teachers.
LISD is committing more than $15.5 million in compensation increases, including the following items:
- over 7% average compensation increase for teachers, counselors and librarians with more than five years of experience;
- over 5% average compensation increase for teachers, counselors and librarians with less than 5 years of experience;
- an increase to first year teacher salaries to exceed $50,000;
- a 4.0% compensation (at the midpoint) increase for all other staff; and
- a stipend addition to our high school associate principals, elementary Pre-K and special leads.
In addition to the overall compensation increases, the Board approved:
- substitutes – pay increase;
- athletic/academic coaches – driving pay;
- LSSP/Diagnostician calendar/scale and experience credit changes;
- high school and elementary extra assignments – discretionary amount additions;
- principal – experience credit change;
- Career Technical Education (CTE) teachers – experience credit change; and
- robotics stipend change.
“Teachers are the lifeblood of any district, and LISD educators are truly elite,” Trustee Pamela Waggoner said. “It’s important that our compensation for them and our employees across the district reflects that.”
In addition, the Board approved a $1 million increase to the district’s medical insurance program to go towards minimizing or eliminating premium impacts for employees. The district will post the amended salary scales when finalized.
“Leander ISD has led the market in teacher compensation for many years, and the salary increases highlight our continued commitment to these outstanding, dedicated individuals,” said Superintendent Dan Troxell, Ph.D. “This action by the Board ensures we will continue to be a destination district for the best and brightest educators anywhere.”
Trustees approve new Board leadership
The Board elected new leadership for the upcoming year. Trish Bode will serve as President; Aaron Johnson as Vice President; and Grace S. Barber-Jordan, M.Ed., as Secretary.
“I am honored the board members nominated and elected me to this position,” Bode said. “I look forward to working with the Board as we continue moving our district forward engaging and inspiring our students.”
Board officers shall serve for a term of one year or until a successor is elected. Each officer shall perform any legal duties of the office and other duties as required by action of the Board.
LISD highlights protocols, strong commitment to anti-bullying efforts
There are multiple processes and practices in place across Leander ISD to combat bullying in all forms. This includes cyber-bullying, which has been on the rise nationwide with the proliferation of social media.
Prevention education and support services include:
- annual staff compliance awareness training;
- annual student awareness presentations;
- Anonymous Alerts program;
- No Place for Hate program; and
- restorative practices.
“It is crucial that we educate our students on the dangers of bullying, especially online,” Trustee Elexis Grimes said. “Study after study shows the adverse effects bullying has on young people. As a district, we believe in educating the whole child, including their academic, social and emotional growth.”
LISD takes every report of bullying seriously, investigating each instance with the following established protocol:
- Intake
- Student Interviews with victim, witness(es) and offender
- Notice of Investigation sent to parents
- Determination of action plan using “Is It Bullying?” checklist
- Outcomes of investigation sent to parents
“The top concern of every single LISD employee is the wellbeing of our students,” said Superintendent Dan Troxell, Ph.D. “Bullying in any form is never tolerated and I applaud the efforts of our teachers and staff for working to educate our students about the need to be kind and inclusive to all.”
