PORTLAND, Tenn. — The new school year will be bringing in more money for all teachers and staff at G-PISD after the school board approved a pay raise and retention stipend for the district.
One of those pay adjustments includes a one percent salary increase from the mid-point for teachers, nurses, librarians, paraprofessionals, auxiliary staff and administrators
"It makes us really proud to be able to compensate our employees and say thank you for what you're doing and thank you for what you will do in the future to positively impact our students," Superintendent Dr. Michelle Cavazos said.
Once the new school year starts at G-PISD the first-year teacher salary will increase from $61,500 to $62,000.
All employees can also expect to receive a one-time $2,000 retention stipend.
These changes will be part of the district's 2024-25 budget and will be reflected in the district's pay starting on or before Sep. 20.
Dr. Cavazos says one of the biggest helps in determining how the new school year's pay increase would work was the district's newly formed Long-Range Compensation Committee.
“This compensation planning committee is really to look at what our resources are and how can we as a district reduce our expenditures so that we can continue to maximize dollars in our human capital,” she said. “Because as we know, our employees are our greatest resource that positively impacts our students.
Over the years, school districts around the state have struggled with budget deficits due to the lack of increased public-school funding.
While G-PISD has been in a good position for some time, Dr. Cavazos understands that like any district in the state waiting for legislative change, that lack of increase state funds could one day affect their district.
“We are in a unique situation here in G-P where we have been a leader, and in fact, we're a leader in the state with our average salary across the board.” she said. “But we are well aware that we're not immune to inaction by the state legislature when it comes to funding public schools. We too will be in a similar situation that other districts are currently in.”
Dr. Cavazos will be entering the school year recognized by Education Service Center, Region 2's Superintendent of the Year. She tells 3NEWS she is humbled and honored to be recognized.
She says she's excited for the new school year to begin and is most looking forward to seeing children in the district's brand new Early Childhood Center.