Conroe ISD has expanded its Teacher Incentive Program to include over 200 educators, offering significant pay raises to attract and retain high-performing teachers at economically disadvantaged campuses. This initiative aims to address funding gaps and enhance educational quality.
Six years after Texas lawmakers paved the way for high-performing teachers to get significant pay increases, Conroe ISD is improving its Teacher Incentive Program, which currently benefits over 200 educators. Program organizer Terral Jackson revealed that 267 educators from 26 campuses are taking part in this effort, which aims to draw and keep talent in schools with low socioeconomic status.
The initiative fills in budget shortages while district assistance from the state is lacking. The Conroe ISD board adopted a new $711.97 million budget last month; however, it is $11.9 million short of what is needed and does not contain any additional state cash or employee raises.
Teachers can receive their designations in one of two ways: by passing the district's locally defined system, which was created using necessary components from the Texas Education Agency, or by earning a national board certification. Usually, the certification procedure takes two years.
Participating teachers receive annual allotments that range from $3,000 to $32,000, depending on the proportion of economically disadvantaged students in their schools. The district receives payment for these money from the state. The initiative, which was started in 2019 under House Bill 3, has been successful in rewarding and keeping outstanding teachers in areas with high needs.
A Montgomery County worship leader has been arrested on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child after a church pastor reported him to law enforcement. The suspect, a volunteer at the church, was released on bond, and authorities are seeking further information.
Montgomery County officials have introduced new restrictions on outgoing elected officials, preventing them from making independent financial decisions on property worth over $5,000. The move aims to protect county assets and ensure transparency in leadership transitions.