May 27th, 2008
In the Hays CISD channel: Trustees approve $1,000 bonus for teachers, some professional staff

From the Hays school district

Hays Consolidated Independent School District board trustees on May 19 approved a pay raise of $1,000 for teachers, counselors, nurses and librarians for the 2008-09 school year.

In addition, the board approved a 2 percent (of the midpoint) pay raise for all other employees for the 2008-09 school year. Mark Jones, whose wife is a teacher in the district, abstained from the vote and Joe Muñoz was not at the meeting as he was out of the state on business.

“This is something that we think is in the best interest of the district,” board president Chip DuPont said.

The school board also approved a service reward program for all employees based on years of service. The reward is for all employees who are with the district for the 2007-08 school year and continue through 2008-09. The amount of reward is based on a grid: those with one to four years of service will receive a check for $1,000 in December; those with five to nine years will receive $1,300; those with 10 to 14 years will receive $1,600; those with 15 to 19 years will receive $1,900; and those with 20 or more years of service will receive $2,200.

Carter Scherff, the district’s chief financial officer, estimates the cost of this one-time pay bump is about $2.4 million. Almost 2,000 people work for Hays CISD.