BY VALERIA ESCOBAR
LCISD approves teacher raise despite shortfall Despite a projected $3.3 million budget shortfall, Lamar CISD will raise starting teacher salaries for 2025-26, which already ranked among the top 10 highest in the Houston area for 2024-25, according to pay data from area schools. At a glance Officials have reduced non-salary categories like contracted services to help narrow the projected shortfall from $5 million to $3.3 million. What’s changing? Trustees approved raises for the teacher pay grade—including counselors, librarians and nurses—raising the starting salary to $65,700, granting current teachers a $2,000 raise and giving a 3% midpoint-based raise to some employees, including instructional aides. Additionally, officials said self-contained
Katy ISD faces rising insurance costs Katy ISD projects a $10.8 million shortfall in its employee health fund for 2025-26, marking the third straight year of deficits. With 61% of KISD employees enrolled in one of the district’s self-insured health plans for the ongoing 2024-25 school year, health care benefits represent one of the largest operating expenses for KISD outside of salaries, officials said at a May 12 meeting. The cause Health insurance plan costs are increasing for both KISD and employees due to rising prices associated with medical visits and prescription drugs, officials said. Looking ahead KISD administrators are expecting to finalize new health plan providers in June.
Teacher starting salaries across Houston, 2024-25 school year*
Spring Branch ISD
$64,375
Katy ISD
$64,130
Lamar CISD
$64,100
Cy-Fair ISD
$63,000
Fort Bend ISD
$62,000
$0 $10K $20K $30K $40K $50K $60K $70K
SOURCE: HOUSTON-AREA DISTRICTS 2024-25 PAY SCALES/COMMUNITY IMPACT *HIGHER STARTING SALARIES OFFERED TO ADVANCED DEGREE HOLDERS
classroom substitutes will receive a $35 daily raise, 10 paid training days, five observational days and four wellness days—an increase from two in the 2024–25 school year. Next steps LCISD officials said administrators will continue reviewing the budget until approval in June.
MASON ROAD 1640 S Mason Rd (281) 395-6262 KATY MILLS 24417 Katy Fwy (281) 394-5780
FULSHEAR 24940 FM 1093 (281) 391-4008 FALCON LANDING 9722 Gaston Rd (281) 574-3008
CINCO RANCH 3050 W Grand Pkwy (281) 392-5554
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