School district employees will be receiving raises and a 1-time efficiency payment after a Monday, June 17 Dublin Independent School District Board Meeting.
The meeting was held at noon in order for the board to complete its Team of Eight training afterwards.
Board members tackled several agenda items involving pay as they moved through the packed business meeting agenda.
District employees will once again receive a 1-time efficiency payment in November based on years of service.
SuperintendentMelissaSummers recommended the payment range of $750 for the lowest to $2,500 for the highest. The motion passed unanimously (board members James Moore and Raymond Salinas were absent).
Changes were also made to the DISD Employee Compensation Plan, adding $500 to teacher base pay, raising Dublin teachers to $2,500 above base pay required by the state.
Other changes included a raise for the One Act Play stipend from $1,500 to $2,000, a raise in the Guardian program stipend from $1,000 to $1,500 (due to an increase in training requirements), a raise in the FCCLA stipend from $350 to $ 750.
Board member Ryan Mitchell questioned if the raises were as good as they could provide for the employees since he knew teacher retention was an issue.
“I wish we could do more,” Summers said.
The board and administrators had a conversation about how other districts were increasing employee compensation which in some cases includes adopting a deficit budget or increasing class sizes.
Currently, Texas House Democrats are asking Governor Greg Abbott to call another special session to increase public school funding as districts around the state grapple with budget deficits in the millions.
In the Austin district, officials face an $89 million deficit on the district’s $956 million budget. So far, Gov. Abbott has not agreed to call for a special legislative session.
“So the answer is, yes, we are currently doing the best we can,” Mitchell said.
Dublin ISD At-Will employees, such as custodial staff, will receive a 4% raise and Dublin ISD Administrators will receive a 2% raise, in unanimous motions.
Board member Pat Leatherwood praised the work of custodial workers during the discussion of raises.
“We have a clean school. You drive across campus and they look amazing,” Leatherwood said.
The superintendent praised the work of administrators and said she wished they could do more.
“I appreciate everything you guys do so much,” Summers said.
Summers also received some new hires including Head Band Director Kathryn (Rasbury) Smith and Assistant Band Director Joseph Dunlap. Both are from Coleman ISD and Smith is returning to DISD.
Coach Andrew Norwood from Goldthwaite ISD will be Dublin’s head baseball coach since Coach Corde Morris will not be returning.
Coach John Ward will be Dublin’s Defensive Coordinator/ Powerlifting coach since Coach Wes Benfer will not be returning.
Skye Gaitan has accepted a position as a coach and Secondary art teacher with DISD.
The board also unanimously approved the purchase of two new ovens.
Mitchell asked if the new ovens could increase the quality and taste of food in the cafeterias, thus reducing food waste.
Summers explained that the head of food services was exploring new menu options and was working with new staff across all campuses to improve food.
“There is a learning curve,” she said.
Leatherwood mentioned that other districts served a well stocked salad bar so students did not go hungry if they did not like what was being served on the lunch line.
In other business the school board: ■ acknowledged the district application for the ESSA grant
■ approved a TASB Policy update 123
■ reviewed initial STAAR/ EOC reports which were 3-21 points higher than state average and 3-20 points higher than other school districts in Region II
■ heard about closing out the 2023-24 budget
■ heard about 2024-25 budget and tax rate
■ received an update on summer projects. The ceilings on the gymnasium have been replaced by Duralast at no charge to the district. The DISD School Board’s next meeting will be held July 15 at 6 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.