Conroe ISD trustees approved a compensation plan that raises pay for some teachers due to state requirements while freezing salaries for other employees as the district manages budget constraints.
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Some teachers in Conroe Independent School District will receive salary increases next school year under a state-mandated plan, while all other district employees will see their pay frozen, officials said.
Trustees unanimously approved the compensation plan Tuesday as part of the district’s upcoming 2026–27 budget, which they expect to formally adopt in August. The changes are projected to cost the district about $700,000, according to Finance Director Karen Garza.
Under the plan, teachers reaching three years of experience will see their salaries increase to $64,250 from $63,850. Those reaching five years of experience will receive a larger bump, with pay rising to $67,200 from $64,700.
Garza said the targeted raises reflect state requirements and follow significant pay increases approved during the previous budget cycle.
“We did that with the clear understanding that we would not be able to provide raises to our employees this year,” Garza said.
Last year, the district allocated $33 million toward employee compensation after Texas lawmakers approved more than $4 billion statewide in 2025 for school employee raises. The prior plan included raises across experience levels, with teachers receiving increases ranging from $2,100 to $5,000 depending on tenure.
Veteran teachers also received additional incremental increases, while starting teacher pay was set at $63,500.
Non-teaching staff benefited from raises last year as well, including 3.5% increases for administrative staff, 4% for police and technology personnel, and 6% for auxiliary and instructional support roles. Substitute and paraprofessional daily rates also increased.
However, district officials said those prior investments limit the ability to provide additional raises this year.
“We would love nothing more than to be recommending an across-the-board pay increase,” Garza said. “However, the funding is simply not there.”
The approved plan freezes salaries for non-teaching staff and teachers, excluding state-mandated increases, reflecting ongoing budget pressures.
District officials said they will continue monitoring funding levels as they finalize the full budget ahead of the new school year.
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