Education
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & SIERRA MARTIN
HCISD to increase special education teacher stipends
SMCISD approves larger class sizes at 3 elementary campuses Student classroom size limits have been exceeded at three elementary campuses in San Marcos CISD. The board of trustees approved a waiver to request five classroom size waivers for the 2024-25 school year. A closer look According to board policy, class size cannot exceed more than 22 students per teacher in a kindergarten, first, second, third and fourth-grade class. The following elementary classes have exceeded that: • Bowie: Grade 1 • Hernandez: Grade 2 and two Grade 3 classrooms • Rodriguez: Grade 3
As Hays CISD’s special education program continues to face staffing, salary and safety challenges, the board of trustees look to amend the 2024-25 compensation plan to provide higher special education teacher stipends. Trustees approved one of three proposals by Chief Human Resources Officer Christina Courson at the Oct. 28 meeting. How we got here Large class sizes, safety issues and potential Individualized Education Program plan violations were a few concerns raised. There are currently 15 special education teacher vacancies in HCISD. Hays County also consistently has the highest percentage of students receiving special education services compared to the state and neighboring counties, Courson said. What are the options? The board considered three proposals by
Changes to special education stipends include:
Previous payment
New payment
Type of payment
General special education stipends
$1,750 $2,125
Specialized special education stipends
$2,500 $3,750
Retention incentive to be paid Jan. 24
None
$1,500
SOURCE: HAYS CISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Courson and unanimously approved Proposal B, a $795,990 prorated budget amendment. The proposal will allocate funding towards professional development and increase special education stipends. “I think [Proposal B] is a balance, and that it’s a great first step,” trustee Courtney Runkle said during the Oct. 21 meeting.
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SAN MARCOS - BUDA - KYLE EDITION
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