Education
BY HANNAH JOHNSON
Over 1,300 Frisco ISD teachers to receive state stipend
Districts les missed days waiver with TEA Frisco ISD o cials led a waiver with the Texas Education Agency to retain its state funding in spite of missed days during the winter storm in late January. What happened The waiver, which was approved by TEA in February, allows the district to not hold classes during the bad-weather makeup days scheduled in the district’s 2025-26 academic calendar. Associate Deputy Superintendent Wes Cunningham explained that the district historically has low attendance among students and sta on bad-weather makeup days, which led o cials to recommend applying for a waiver. A Missed Day waiver from the TEA gives FISD full average daily attendance funding for the missed days.
More than one in four Frisco ISD teachers are now eligible for a stipend from the state, according to a district news release. The gist The Teacher Incentive Allotment is intended to attract and retain top teachers, according to the Texas Education Agency. After approval of the dis- trict’s program, 679 FISD teachers gained new or higher designations, the release states. Now, over 1,300 FISD teachers are eligible for state stipends. “This expansion re ects the exceptional work happening in classrooms across Frisco ISD and ensures even more of our educators see that impact re ected in a state stipend,” Superinten- dent Mike Waldrip said in the release. Stipend amounts vary based on ve indicators and three designation categories: recognized, exemplary and master. A higher designation results in a higher stipend, according to FISD.
“Recognizing and rewarding great teaching matters.” MIKE WALDRIP, FRISCO ISD SUPERINTENDENT
Looking back House Bill 3 was passed by the 86th Texas Legislature in June 2019 and created the incentive program with the goal of creating a six- gure salary for teachers who prioritize teaching in high- need areas and rural district campuses, according to the TEA. The program is optional for districts to participate, per FISD. FISD’s application for Phase 1 of the TIA program was approved by TEA in spring 2024. The district’s Phase 2 was approved in 2025.
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