Willis ISD to give teachers and staff bonuses up to $1,500 as part of retention efforts

Teachers and staff in Willis ISD will receive a bonus up to $1,500 in December. 

Willis ISD teachers and security resource officers can expect to receive a one-time payment of $1,500 in December if they were hired before Sept. 1. For non-exempt and hourly employees, they are expected to receive a $1,000 payment. For employees hired after Sept. 1, they are expected to receive a one-time payment of $500. 

Teachers and staff are also expected to receive a bonus this month between $1,500 to $2,500, said Garrett Matej, district assistant superintendent of business and finance, during the Aug. 9 meeting. The bonuses teachers are expected to receive later this month and in December equates to $4,000, he said. 

In June, officials projected that the 2023-24 school year budget would not include raises as they expected project a shortfall in local property tax revenue and state funding.

Many districts were left scrambling after state lawmakers declined to pass a teacher pay raise bill or a comprehensive school funding plan, despite broad support and a record $30 billion-plus budget surplus. 

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“Unfortunately, the 2023-24 (school year) salary scales and pay grades do not include an increase for teachers, (administration), and professional staff,” Matej said. “We have instead focused some of our federal resources on retention payments.”

The district has access to funds from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund, known as ESSER, to use for one-time payments to staff, officials said.

ESSER funds were created in 2020 through the Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act. Additional funding was provided through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, also known as CSSR, and the American Rescue Plan Act. The district received nearly $10 million in ESSER funds, according to its website.

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The funds are available to the district until Sept. 30, 2024. 

Before stepping down from his position, former Willis ISD superintendent Tim Harkrider told board members they could give bonuses to returning staff in August 2024.

“(Board members) will probably look at that in November or December,” said Communications Director Jamie Fails. 

Despite the possibility of no pay increase, the district has been able to retain teachers, starting this upcoming school year with six vacancies. 

“We’re doing really well, way better than last year,” Fails said. 

Officials also approved a pay increase for support staff such as maintenance, transportation, custodial and child nutrition.

The largest pay increase goes towards custodial and child nutrition, Matej said. Pay has increased by $1 an hour over the current rate for custodians, while child nutrition staff will receive an increase of $1.32 over the current rate at the district.

School resource officers will also receive a $2,500 bonus along with teachers and staff this month. 

“Teachers and staff, we’re doing our very best to get you this money,” Board President Kyle Hoegemeyer told attendees during the August meeting.