Raises on the Way for Some Educators
By: Brittany Escobar
Updated: June 26, 2012
This year teachers from both LISD'S, Lubbock and Levelland will be receiving what districts are calling a well deserved reward.
"We wanted to do whatever we could to insure we were able to give our teachers a raise this year," said Levelland's Superintendent Mark Holcomb.
He said because of last years budget cut from the legislature they were unable to give their teachers pay increases.
"All of our teachers are insured of a minimum of $1,300 increase for next year," he said.
Nancy Sharp with Lubbock ISD said they too will be giving their teachers pay increases.
"We feel like by making this increase in our starting salary and increasing teacher pay that we've been able to do a better job at recruiting and retaining these high quality teachers," said Sharp.
Other districts across the region have started looking at or already approved a salary increase for their teachers.
"We've seen in the upcoming years is that schools are being able to find money for raises," said Clinton Gill.
Gill with the Texas State Teachers Association said because education has been on the chopping block for funding, schools have been forced to take a closer look at their budgets.
"We wanted to give this back to our teachers for their hard work," said Holcomb.
"It's been by a very deliberate strategic plan," said Sharp.
Education is still in a cost cutting mode but the districts say they must look at what's best for their student's futures.
"The most important component of a quality education is the class room teachers," said Sharp.
"They are the ones that inspire our students and its all about the kids and giving a top notch education one that is excellent," said Holcomb.
Levelland and Lubbock says they run their school like a business, efficiently to please their clients, which are the students.
"Our business is educating students," said Holcomb.
"I think that we we're looking at the ways that we could most efficiently do business," said Sharp.
Both districts agree saying retaining highly qualified teachers is key to education for their students.
