El Paso ISD approves 7% salary increase, $2,500 stipend for educators

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — The El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees on Thursday approved the 2022–23 budget that includes a pay raise for educators.

Teachers, librarians, counselors, and nurses will see an average salary increase of 7 percent in the upcoming academic year.

Starting salary for EPISD teachers with zero experience will go up to $56,975.

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EPISD said this is the highest increase in the district’s history.

Teachers who KFOX14 spoke with said they are happy with the decision.

“All the teachers that I’ve spoken to, we were texting each other, we’re just over the moon," said Patricia Amezaga, physical education teacher

“I’m very thankful for anything that is an increase because it’s helping put food on my family's table and at the end of the day everything is higher because of inflation," said Speech-Language Pathologist Kamrin Sierra.

Trustees also approved a 5 percent increase for hourly employees and a 4 percent salary increase from the mid-point for campus administrators and other professional staff.

Directors and above will receive a 3 percent increase from the mid-point.

In addition, the compensation package includes a $1,000 employee retention stipend in Nov. 2022 and a $1,500 in June 2023.

"Both my husband and I are teachers so two teachers’ salaries, it really is gonna be a good raise," said Amezaga.

El Paso ISD recognizes that the strength of our schools lies in the strength of our employees. We need excellent teachers and staff for our students to thrive. This allows us to retain and attract exceptional team members and helps us develop to higher and greater levels of excellence,” said Board of Trustees Vice President Daniel Call.

The minimum wage in the school district was also raised to $12 from $10.51.

We worked closely with our Board of Trustees to develop a fair and fiscally responsible compensation plan for employees,” said Diana Sayavedra, Superintendent of Schools.

Both Socorro ISD and Ysleta ISD also approved raises and stipends for educators this week.

RECOMMENDED: Socorro ISD approves pay raises, $2,500 retention stipend for 2022-23 school year

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