Friendswood ISD Approves Pay Increases For Teachers, Bus Drivers

FRIENDSWOOD, TX — Teachers and bus drivers in Friendswood ISD will be seeing a little more in their paychecks for the 2017-2018 school year.

During the May meeting of the board of trustees,Friendswood ISD approved a pay increase for teachers of $2,500 a year, while bus drivers will see an increase from the average of $13.50 per hour, to $15.00 a hour. (Want to get daily updates about traffic news and other events going on in your area? Sign up for the free Houston Patch morning newsletter.)

The board of trustees approved the pay increases in an effort to stay competitive with other school districts in the Greater Houston area.

For the coming school year, teachers with 0-4 years experience will earn $52,750 for those who have a bachelor’s degree, while teachers with the same amount of experience who have a master’s degree will earn $53,750, comparable with other districts in the Houston area.

In September 2016, voters approved a Tax Ratification Election, to increase the property-tax rate from $1.367 to $1.387 which would be used to increase teacher salaries and balance the budget, according to a Houston Chronicle report.

“With the current state funding formula rewarding student enrollment growth, it has been a challenge keeping salaries competitive with surrounding fast-growth districts,” then-Friendswood ISD Superintendent Trish Hanks said in a statement in May. “I am thankful the tax ratification election passed last September."

The board of trustees approved a three percent pay increase for all district employees on June 10.

Image: Shutterstock

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