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2025-26 Staff Raises

2025-26 Staff Raises

Infographic detailing staff raises for the 2025-26 school year, including salary and percentage increases.In a special board meeting on July 31, the Mesquite ISD Board of Trustees approved the compensation plan for the 2025–26 school year.

This decision follows the passage of House Bill 2 earlier this year, which provides additional revenue for school districts across the state. Mesquite ISD will receive approximately $18.4 million in new funding under this legislation.

“While this investment is appreciated, there’s a significant limitation: $10.8 million of that funding is legally required to go directly toward teacher and support staff compensation. That leaves only $7.6 million available to offset other existing and/or mandated expenses,” explained Superintendent Dr. Ángel Rivera.

Despite this additional revenue, the district faces a $17 million budget deficit for the 2025–26 school year, with 86% of the budget dedicated to staffing costs. In recent years, MISD has added positions to meet growing needs while student enrollment has declined, a trend impacting many districts across Texas. Some of these added positions include those needed for the opening of Cross Elementary, additional security guards, and elementary music and art teacher roles.

Despite ongoing financial challenges, the MISD Board of Trustees approved compensation increases that go beyond the requirements of House Bill 2, recognizing the meaningful contributions every employee makes to the success of students.

  • House Bill (HB2) and the Texas Education Association (TEA) define ‘Teacher’ as professional staff who spend more than 50% of their time instructing students. Teaching positions not meeting the TEA definition for the HB2 Teacher Retention Allotment Fund will now be located in the Teacher Support Compensation Plan. 

    A ‘Year of Service’ must include 90 or more days worked in the teacher role during that school year to be considered a  ‘credited’ year, and must be verified by service records.

    Service Years are added at the end of the completed school year. 

     

  • The HB2 Teacher Retention Allotment Fund did not provide any funding for teachers with 1-2 years of experience. 

    • Teachers with 3–4 years of creditable experience: $2,500 base increase
    • Teachers with 5 years of creditable experience: $5,000 base Increase

  • While the amount of new funding received by the district from HB2 was insufficient to cover raises for all staff categories, we value every member of the Mesquite ISD family and believe the work of every staff member makes a difference for our students. On Thursday, July 31, the MISD Board of Trustees approved the following increases to compensation for the 2025-26 school year: 

    • The starting salary for certified teachers increased to $62,300.
    • Certified teachers with 1-2 years of creditable teaching experience and teachers who do not spend more than 50% of their time instructing students (SST, IS, ITC, etc.) will receive an increase of $1,300.
    • Salaries for non-certified teachers with less than three years of creditable experience are frozen. However, if a teacher meets the definition for the Teacher Retention Allotment Fund and becomes certified, they will receive the appropriate increase prorated for the remainder of that contract year.
    • Campus principals and assistant principals will receive a 3% increase based on the midpoint of each pay grade
    • Staff included in the following compensation plans will receive a 3% increase based on the midpoint of each pay grade:
      • Auxillary Support
      • Clerical and Technical Support
      • Information Tech
      • Instructional Support
    • Salaried staff included in the professional and administrative compensation plans will receive a 2% increase based on the midpoint of each pay grade.

  • These approved raises are effective as of July 1, 2025. Teachers and professional staff who start after July 1 will see their pay increase included in the Aug. 27 paycheck. All other staff will receive their increase on the Aug. 27 or Aug. 29 paycheck, along with a one-time retroactive payment.

    Over the next few weeks, every employee will receive a salary notification letter which will include your compensation for 2025-26 including the board approved raises.