The Hempstead ISD Board of Trustees met on Monday, July 17.
During the board meeting, Hempstead ISD Superintendent Herbert O’Neil discussed upcoming Back to School dates, kicking off Long Range Facility Planning Committee meetings, strategic plan work, and introduced new Hempstead ISD administrators.
Hempstead ISD is facing the impact of increasing medical service costs in Texas, as seen across the country. To alleviate the effect of rising insurance rates for the 2023-2024 school year, the Texas Legislature has offered assistance by contributing $588.5 million to TRS-ActiveCare rates. Despite the state's aid, the majority of Hempstead ISD employees will still experience higher health insurance costs. Currently, the district provides a monthly contribution of $241 for participating employees, which is $16 more than the minimum requirement.
To address this issue, the District will increase its monthly contribution by $37. This additional funding would cover the increased insurance costs for over 75% of the staff and ease the financial burden for those who have plans covering additional family members. The Board’s approval of this increase helps Hempstead ISD support its staff members and mitigate the impact of rising healthcare expenses for the upcoming school year.
A rise in health insurance is not the only issue school districts are facing this year. During the 88th Texas Legislature, lawmakers did not allocate any funds to allow Texas school districts to provide employee raises for the 2023-2024 school year. The District is hopeful that the Texas Legislature and Governor Abbott will provide funds to schools to give over 700,000 Texas public school employees the raises that they deserve, for the important work that they do to educate children across the state and to ease the burden employees and their families feel due to inflation.
Superintendent O’Neil brought forward a proposed Resolution for the 2023-2024 Employee Compensation plan. This Resolution would allow for the Board to approve using the 2022-2023 Employee Compensation plan for the 2023-2024 school year.
“I want our employees to know that we are committed to giving additional compensation for the 2023-2024 school year, should the Legislature do what is best for public school employees,” Superintendent Herbert O’Neil explained. “We are not alone in this. Districts across the state are also creating resolutions to show our employees that we want to give them a raise. It is our intent to give a raise but it is a challenge to give a raise when the state is not providing any funds.”
Trustees Approve Action Items
During the July board meeting, Hempstead ISD Trustees approved the following action items:
Approved the 2023-2024 Allotment and TEKS Certification.
Approved the 2023-2024 Student Athletic Accident Insurance.
Approved updates to Local Policy FDA - Admissions Interdistrict Transfers.
Approved proposal of the 2023 Tax Rate and to schedule a public meeting to discuss the 2023-2024 budget and the 2023 proposed tax rate.
Approved Hempstead ISD Long Range Facility Planning Committee Roster and Adopted the Board Charge to the Committee.
Approved an increase to the Hempstead ISD contribution to employee health insurance.
Approved Resolution for the 2023-2024 Employee Compensation Plan.
The August Board meeting will be held on Monday, August 21, and will begin at 6 p.m. in the Administration Building Board Room.