Waco ISD Board Approves $4.9M Teacher Raise Plan

Waco ISD has approved a comprehensive compensation plan for the 2025-2026 school year aimed at rewarding experienced educators, retaining talent, and ensuring competitive wages for all staff, with an estimated cost of $4.9 million. The plan includes teacher pay raises averaging 8.2%, with up to $5,000 increases for teachers with five or more years of experience, and a $1,000 raise for first-year teachers. It also provides relocation assistance of up to $1,000 for teachers moving from over 500 miles and enhances stipends, including a new $2,000 stipend for Inclusion/Resource Dyslexia Teachers. Additional increases cover extra duty pay for counselors, librarians, office clerks, and other support staff, alongside a 2% raise for administrative, paraprofessional, and auxiliary employees. Health benefits will improve as well, with district contributions increasing to $608 per month per employee and a $500 annual FSA contribution for those waiving district insurance. This compensation plan aligns with Texas state funding initiatives that have boosted teacher salaries, especially in smaller districts, and reflects a broader commitment across McLennan County to support educators' financial and professional needs.