During the August 31st Special Meeting and Public Hearing of the Aransas Pass ISD Board of Trustees, the Board unanimously adopted a maintained tax rate of $0.8088 and approved the 2026-2027 budget, which includes a compensation and benefits plan continuing the district’s investment in recruiting, retaining, and supporting high-quality employees.

Highlights of the approved compensation plan include a step increase for teachers, moving nurses, counselors, librarians, diagnosticians, speech-language pathology assistants and the district’s ARD facilitator to the teacher pay scale, a 2% increase off the midpoint of the applicable pay grade for all other district employees, excluding the superintendent, and an 11% increase in the district’s contribution toward employee healthcare premiums.

The decision to move several specialized professional positions to the teacher pay scale addresses a gap left by the state’s Teacher Retention Allotment. While the allotment provided state-funded salary increases for eligible teachers beginning in 2025–2026, these professionals were not included among the positions eligible for those increases. Each plays a direct role in supporting student learning, health and access to services, and the locally approved adjustment recognizes their contributions while strengthening the district’s ability to recruit and retain qualified professionals.

“Our employees make the work of this district possible, and the Board’s action reflects a continued commitment to supporting the people who serve our students every day,” said APISD Superintendent Wayne Bennett. “This plan recognizes our teachers’ experience, supports several of our specialized professionals by aligning their compensation with the teacher pay scale, provides an increase for our other employee groups, and expands the district’s contribution to healthcare benefits. We see it as an investment in our people and more importantly, a commitment to our students.”

APISD also participates in the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment, providing eligible teachers with an additional opportunity to earn performance-based compensation through the district’s local teacher designation system. TIA compensation is separate from the salary increases included in the district’s annual compensation plan.

Together, the salary adjustments, increased healthcare contribution and continued participation in TIA reflect APISD’s comprehensive approach to employee compensation and its commitment to attracting and retaining exceptional staff throughout the district.

For more information about the 2026–2027 Compensation Plan, please contact the Aransas Pass ISD Human Resources Department at 361-758-4200.