COCISD approves salary, compensation plans

COLDSPRING – Proposed salary and compensation plans for the 2012-2013 school year were presented to Coldspring- Oakhurst Consolidated Independent School District (COCISD) board members recently reflecting proposed increases in compensation to employees returning to the district. “Though the plan offers increased salaries and market competitive ranges, it is necessary for the district to maintain financial prudence in utilizing this plan, primarily by focusing compensation between the minimum and midpoint (target market point) area of the range to ensure budgetary support and sustainability of the plan,” Adam Jenke, COCISD business manager, told board members. The district’s teacher compensation plan for the coming school year includes a $35,800 starting pay for 10-months for new hires. Starting salaries for all other new hire teachers will be based upon consideration for experience and area of teaching specialty, up to a maximum base salary of $50,950 for 30 years, according to Jenke. Continuing teachers will receive general pay with consideration for experience up to a maximum base salary of $50,950 for 10-months. A $500 pay incentive for those with a master’s degree is proposed. Additional stipends in the amount of $4,000 to $6,000 are proposed for teachers who are certified and have teaching assignments in foreign language, secondary math and secondary science. “Revenue projections for 2012 – 2013 are based off of preliminary appraisal values and preliminary end of year student funding estimates. Once these have been finalized in July, we will further refine the expenditure budget to fit the revenue budget. Current projections of revenue and expenses, with the compensation plan increased expenses included, show a balanced budget forecast for the upcoming year,” Jenke said. Local revenues for the proposed 2012-2013 budget include $9.51 million in tax revenues/principal and interest compared to $9.54 in the 2011-2012 budget; $45,000 cocurricular, the same as in 2011- 2012; and $100,000 in other local revenues, up from $44,000 in 2011-2012 for a total local revenue of $9.66 million compared to a total local revenue of $9.62 million in 2011-2012. State revenues are proposed at $2.98 million in the 2012- 2013 budget, down from $3.16 million budgeted in 2011-2012; Teacher Retirement System (TRS) is set at $450,000 for 2012-2013 proposed budget, down from $525,000 budgeted in 2011-2012; and federal revenues in the proposed 2012-2013 budget are at $125,000, down from $145,000 in the 2011- 2012 budget. The district’s proposed total revenues for 2012-2013 amount to $13.22 million, down from $13.45 million budgeted in 2011-2012. Board members will meet again Tuesday, July 10, at 2 p.m. in the district’s administration building.