Austin Independent School District board members met Monday night to vote on a proposed operating budget of $716 million. Austin residents will not get the opportunity to vote on the matter because the AISD board elected not to put the issue on the ballot.
Part of the budget consideration was for a pay raise for teachers, requiring an increase in taxes, which in turn, would have to be voted on by Austin residents in November.
The state has already mandated a raise for teachers which, on average, is less than one percent. In an attempt to increase teachers' salaries slightly more, board member had considered a five cent property tax rate increase.
A recent survey by the Texas Association of School Boards and the Texas Association of School Administrators shows Austin 13th out of 20 major cities across the state in teacher pay.
