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Staff Weekly
By Christina Burbank & Collaborators ● May 22, 2024
Smart Brevity® count: 4.5 mins...1236 words
It’s our last newsletter of the year! But first, some fun things to take you into summer…
🎉 Congratulations to our retirees! This year we have 259 retirees with a combined 5,199 years of service.
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Special kudos to Norberta Aguilar, Carye Edelman, Cathryn Harris, Eva Luna-Belmares, Collins Van Nort and Celia Venegas, who are retiring with more than 40 years of service!
⚽ In the mood for soccer? Kick off your summer next week at the Austin FC match against the Portland Timbers.
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1 big thing: Employee Compensation Agreement
District Leadership and Education Austin have agreed on a Draft Employee Compensation Agreement for 2024–25 that would include market adjustments and a 25 cent per hour increase for classified employees.
Yes, but…The permanent pay increases would only go into effect if the board calls for and voters approve a potential Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election.
Why it matters: Despite making $30M in non-campus based cuts, the district still faces a $59 million deficit. To increase teacher and staff salaries, we would either need an influx of funds or, we’d have to consider deeper cuts that would impact the classroom.
How it works: Market adjustments for active, benefits-eligible staff would allow us to keep our pay plans fair and balanced and remain competitive with other districts and the job market.
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Market adjustments vary based on the position and years of experience, so not all employees’ hourly rate would be adjusted.
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All classified staff, however, would receive a minimum increase of $.25 per hour.
Once we know our approved budget, our compensation team would work with TASB to compare our current compensation plans to other local districts and the outside job market.
If there’s no infusion of funds through a VATRE, the agreement states that all active, regular employees in a full-time position would receive a one-time incentive payment of $500.
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Active, regular employees who are less than full-time but benefits-eligible will receive a one-time incentive payment of $250.
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The payments would be made on the mid-December paycheck.
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Qualifying employees must be in active status as of December 1, 2024 to receive payment.
Where we stand: While we’re navigating limited funds, we remain committed to addressing long-overdue inequities in our compensation for classified staff and our more experienced teachers.
View the full story to understand next steps…
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Austin ISD Groundbreaking and Construction Kick-off Celebrations
We’ve officially celebrated groundbreakings for schools undergoing full modernizations, marking the commencement of the first modernization projects since voters approved the 2022 Bond.
Two schools also kicked off renovations to open-concept floor plans, adding full walls and doors between learning areas to enhance safety and the overall student experience.
What they’re saying: “As we reflect on our campus’ history and celebrate our 50th anniversary, we are also looking to the future with great excitement,” said Cook Principal Priscilla Sanchez Emamian. “The improvements planned from the 2022 Bond will make a tremendous positive impact on our students and staff. We can’t wait to see our school’s transformation.”
What's next: Construction on the modernizations of Harris and Wooten elementary schools and Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy will kick off this summer.
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Harris and Wooten are expected to open in January 2026, and Sadler Means is anticipated to open in January 2027.
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Construction on the renovations of Cook and Williams elementary schools will start this summer, with anticipated completion before the start of the 2025–26 school year.
Go deeper: For more information about 2022 Bond projects, visit www.AISDFuture.com or message us on Let's Talk by texting 512-856-6123 or online at https://bit.ly/Letstalkaisdbond
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Mental Health Awareness Month
Austin ISD teachers are putting their mental health first by integrating mindfulness, social-emotional learning and yoga into the classroom. The initiative is through a district pilot program with Breathe for Change.
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The pilot launched in January with 30 teachers at 10 campuses and helps train the teachers to center mental health with their students and spread the learning to their colleagues on campus.
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The goal is to grow a second cohort at 10 additional campuses.
Why it matters: May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In Austin ISD, we’re focused on eliminating the stigma of mental health and creating support for students and staff to thrive.
What they’re saying: “[Breathe for Change] has transformed my teaching and relationships across the campus,” Cowan Elementary School Teacher Devon Whipple said. “I think taking care of ourselves as teachers is so important and when we’re not taking care of ourselves, we can’t take care of our students.”
Dive deeper with more helpful tips and resources on the Austin ISD Mental Health website.
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Student Success: Senior discovers passion for firefighting
Ava Martinez is graduating this month with her sights set on becoming a firefighter. A senior at Austin High School, Martinez enrolled in the Fire Academy Program at LBJ Early College High School during her sophomore year, which stoked her curiosity and passion for the trade.
Why it matters: Austin ISD offers a wide range of Career and Technical Education opportunities, regardless of the student’s home school. Through Student Sharing, students across the district can participate in unique programming and find their passion for the future.
How it works: Martinez goes to Austin High School for her regular classes and then spends half her day at LBJ ECHS Fire Academy doing hands-on work towards her certifications.
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Martinez isn't unfamiliar with the field. Her father and older brother are firefighters and although she hadn't planned to be one herself, she joined the LBJ Fire Academy to follow her brother’s path, who also attended the academy.
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“The motivation was definitely living up to the expectations of my dad and brother. I want to be able to show them that I can do it too,” Martinez said.
What’s next: Martinez, is graduating from Austin High School with an LBJ Fire Academy certificate, and is ready to serve her community. She’s applied to the Austin Fire Department and If she's accepted and meets all criteria, she could begin her dream job in January.
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❤ Have a great summer and thanks for having us in your inbox this year!
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