At the recent Victoria Independent School District (VISD) board meeting held on March 21, 2024, a pivotal discussion unfolded, centered around the pressing needs of the community regarding teacher retention/staff pay and capital improvements to infrastructure. Presented to the trustees were two comprehensive plans aimed at tackling these critical issues head-on: the Targeted Pay Plan Proposal and the innovative 5/25 Plan.
Why the Urgency?
The momentum behind these proposals stems from a dual necessity: the pressing need for a capital improvement schedule to address aging facilities and the imperative to offer competitive pay to attract and retain talented educators. Over the years, VISD has grappled with balancing its budget between infrastructure upkeep and personnel salaries, with limited success. Recognizing this challenge, a board subcommittee embarked on a mission to solicit feedback from both the community and staff members.
The overwhelming response was clear: a resounding call to prioritize both capital improvement and long-term maintenance plans and staff compensation but with improved efficacy. Hence, the 5/25 Plan emerged as a strategic solution.
Decoding the 5/25 Plan
The 5/25 Plan outlines a structured capital improvement/maintenance bond schedule wherein approximately $25 million is allocated every five years. Historically, the district has pursued large multi-million dollar bonds, but we are opting for a smaller bond issuance. This decision demonstrates our fiscal responsibility and assures the community that the necessary and required work will be completed. This approach allows us to transparently showcase how funds are utilized and ensures that the tax rate required for funding remains minimal. These funds will target crucial capital improvements and a maintenance replacement schedule such as roofs and HVAC systems, aiming to bring the district up to par with its maintenance requirements. The plan acknowledges that addressing these needs will require dedicated funding beyond the general budget, necessitating a systematic approach.
The Targeted Pay Plan Proposal
VISD recognizes the pressing need to address the issue of staff compensation, which has lagged behind market rates for too long. The Comprehensive Salary Proposal within the Targeted Pay Plan aims to rectify this disparity by adjusting salaries to market rates. This one-time adjustment is estimated to cost approximately $11 million, with $4 million absorbed from the general fund budget and the remaining $7 million to be funded through a Voter Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE) should the board call for a VATRE election.
Under the full Targeted $11 million proposal, teachers with five or more years of experience stand to receive an annual increase of $7,000, while classified and paraprofessional staff will see a $2 per hour pay raise, with the pay rate starting at $14.25 for an Instructional Aide 1 and $15 for Instructional Aide 2.
Next Steps and Community Engagement
As VISD charts its course forward, transparency and community engagement remain paramount. The upcoming board workshop scheduled for April will provide a platform to fine-tune the parameters of both plans, ensuring that they align with the district's long-term goals and priorities.
It's crucial to clarify that the board is unequivocally not calling for a VATRE or a bond referendum during the April workshop. The board is conducting thorough due diligence to explore all available options with district administration actively assessing costs and funding options.
Both the Targeted Pay Plan Proposal and the 5/25 Plan signify a proactive approach by VISD to address the evolving needs of its stakeholders. By concurrently enhancing teacher compensation and implementing a sustainable infrastructure maintenance strategy, the district aims to foster an environment conducive to academic excellence and staff retention, ultimately benefiting the entire community for years to come.