Special to The Dallas Examiner
To recruit and retain the best talent, Dallas ISD is proposing $103.2 million in compensation increases with the potential for new teachers to earn up to $72,000. The 2022-2023 proposed budget would include $51.2 million for staff salary increases and $52 million for retention incentives.
Upon budget approval, first-year teachers would start with a base salary of $60,000 and experienced teachers could earn up to $65,450. All newly hired teachers would also receive a $2,000 hiring incentive. Other stackable incentives could also be applied, such as $3,000 for secondary math and science, $3,000 for special education, $5,000 for elementary bilingual education, and $3,000 for languages other than English.
The district is also considering changes to the Teacher Excellence Initiative that will allow current teachers, assistant principals and principals to increase their performance-based salaries. The proposed budget also includes a 3% salary increase for non-TEI employees and raises the minimum hourly wage to $15 for about 7,200 support staff.
All returning Dallas ISD staff would also receive a $2,500-$3,500 retention incentive resulting in an average teacher compensation increase of approximately 10% for next school year.