Aldine ISD budget includes salary increases, allows for lower tax rate

Rising student enrollment and property values in Aldine made it possible for the Board of Education to adopt a 2014-2015 budget that increases pay for all employees. The budget will allow for a lower property tax rate, which is expected to be adopted in August when the district receives the certified roll from the Harris County Appraisal District. Once adopted in August, the tax rate will be $1.28588 per $100 valuation, a two-cent decrease from the 2013-14 tax rate.

Also during the June 10 Board meeting, Trustees approved the budget for the 2014-15 school year. The general operating budget will be $598,736,416 which is an increase of $66,739,073 over the 2013-14 adopted budget. This represents an overall increase of 12.5 percent. The budget provides funding for all programs and activities designed to improve student academic achievement while preparing future graduates for college and the workforce.

Earlier this year, Trustees voted to increasing first-year teacher pay to $50,000 to help Aldine recruit top teaching candidates. The budget adopted at the School Board’s June 10 meeting included a comprehensive salary adjustment for all teachers and other staff members. Teacher raises will range from $2,500 to $3,500 per year, with the largest raises going to more veteran teachers, nurses, information literacy specialists (librarians), speech pathologists and other campus-based personnel. Employees in this group will receive at least a 4.72 percent increase.

Additionally, Trustees approved a 5 percent base salary increase for auxiliary and para-professional employees.

Trustees also approved a 4.5 percent salary increase for principals and assistant principals.

A 3.5 percent increase was approved for all administrators in the district, including counselors, with some equity adjustments or additional salary increases for employees who are making less than the market average in the area. The salary increases will be in place for the 2014-2015 school year.

Increasing property values in Aldine make it possible for the district to lower the tax rate for the second consecutive year. Last year trustees voted to lower the portion of the property tax rate that is used to pay off construction debt. This year, the board lowered the portion of the tax rate that is used to pay for the day-to-day operation of schools.