April 17, 2023 – The San Antonio ISD Board of Trustees tonight approved a pay increase for all full-time, permanent employees in the district for the 2023-2024 academic year. The total district cost of increased compensation totals $19.9 million, and more than half of this allotment will benefit teachers. 

At almost $20 million, the compensation package represents one of the largest in SAISD’s history. It is the largest pay increase, in total dollars, in the last 25 years. In comparison, previous large compensation packages in recent years have cost the district $14.9 million in 2022-2023, $13.8 in 2019-2020, and $13.1 in 2013-2014.

“This historic increase reflects the deep appreciation and respect for each and every SAISD employee,” said Superintendent Jaime Aquino. “Staff are our most valuable resource, and we are grateful for all that they do in support of our students and families.”

The pay increases range from 3 percent to 9 percent, including strategic pay adjustments that honor employee longevity.

• Non-exempt, hourly employees will see the entry rate increase from $16.00 to $16.50 per hour. In addition, to further recognize tenure, these employees will receive consideration for additional pay for each year of experience. They will receive an overall increase based on either the new minimum pay, years of experience, or general pay increase of 4 percent – whichever is greatest. Each non-exempt, hourly employee will realize a minimum of a 4 percent pay increase.

• Teachers with five years or less of experience also will receive a 4 percent pay increase based on the bachelor’s degree teacher pay scale. Teachers with more than five years of experience will receive an additional 0.25 percent for each year up to a 9 percent pay increase at 25 years or more of experience.

• All other full-time, permanent employees will receive a 3 percent general pay increase.

• The compensation package also introduces or increases stipends for math and science teachers, bilingual teachers, special education teachers, and speech pathologists, among others.

“The overarching objective is to offer staff a compensation package that leads the regional market, while remaining within the limits of a five-year plan for a sustainable budget,” Aquino said. “The district has absorbed large expenditure cuts in order to be able to afford this compensation package.”

The recommended compensation initiative is sustainable, in large part, due to tough cuts made by administration at the non-campus, district level. Central Office budget reductions equaled $16 million in 2022-2023, and an additional $6.5 million will be made in 2023-2024. 

The board’s approval of tonight’s compensation package is contingent upon the pay increase being counted toward any staff compensation mandate that may be enacted during the current 88th Texas legislative session. If the state legislature mandates a staff compensation increase during its current session that exceeds our plan, the district will make any adjustments to compensation to meet the requirement for that group. However, any new revenue resulting from legislative action will contribute toward maintaining this compensation increase, rather than being added on top of it.

The approved pay increases will be incorporated into the board’s formal budget adoption on June 20 and will take effect with the start of each employee group’s workday calendar in the 2023-2024 academic year.