Round Rock ISD approves 1% salary raise for employees, retention incentive plan

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — During a Thursday board meeting, Round Rock ISD approved the adoption of a new compensation plan that would provide salary increases to staff.

Following a plan recommended to the board, the district adopted a 1% salary increase.

According to the district, the starting salary for teachers and librarians would also increase to $56,500, and eligible employees would receive a $625 pay increase.

Other eligible employees would receive an increase equal to 1% of the pay range midpoint, according to RRISD.

“School districts across the state are wrestling with difficult budget decisions because the most recent legislative session failed to prioritize funding for Texas children and educators,” RRISD Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez said in a statement. “A 1% pay raise and these incentives will help us retain and recruit the best staff to our district, even though we’re not able to provide our exceptional educators and staff the raises they truly deserve.”

The district said in a release that it approved the raise as it faces a "$22 million budget shortfall" and is "working toward a balanced budget."

Pay structure adjustments would be implemented for transportation employees, as well as a $2/hour pay increase for eligible employees. According to the district, vacant positions and bus route efficiencies would be utilized to fund the across-the-board pay increase.

The district's retention plan included a one-time incentive of $500 for eligible employees if the 2024-2025 student enrollment equaled 47,000 students or greater. An additional $500 would be added if enrollment equaled 47,500 students or greater.

The estimated cost of the retention plan would be $3.3 million.