HPISD Approves 4% Pay Raise in Next School Year

Highland Park ISD’s board of trustees approved a 4% pay raise for teachers in the 2025-26 school year during its April 22 meeting.

About 2% of the increase is due to the passage of the district’s $137.3 million bond, deputy superintendent Shorr Heathcote said. HPISD has used bond dollars to free up more money for staff compensation by capitalizing expenses that used to come out of its general fund.

Another 1% of the increase was made possible by staffing efficiencies, she said. The district has been working to right-size its staff due to declining enrollment. Because HPISD receives funds on a per student basis from the state, fewer students have meant less money for daily expenses.

The final 1% boost came from HPISD’s parent teacher associations and organizations, which already contribute about 1% to staff salaries, and pledged to finance an additional 1% percent annually.

“This is not a one-time gift. They are pledging to step things up every year,” board member Blythe Koch said. “We just can’t say thank you enough.” 

Salaries could go up more if the district receives additional funding from the Texas Legislature. The House and Senate have approved bills that could increase the amount that public schools receive from the state, while also creating private school voucher programs.

In other business:

• The board recognized Highland Park High School juniors Camden Coale and Layton Braziel for earning the UIL 5A State Championship title in cross examination debate. Debate teacher Toby Whisenhunt said that the HPHS debaters had blown away their final round competition. “It was quite the honor to have them and their parents and all the support that we’ve had,” he said.
• Superintendent Mike Rockwood recommended that the district’s policies relating to students’ eligibility for extracurricular activities be referred to the board’s policy committee for further review. He congratulated the Highland Park High School boys’ soccer team, which was forced to forfeit the state title due to the participation of an academically ineligible player. “They are the most successful boys soccer team in Highland Park High School history,” Rockwood said. “So proud of their accomplishments, and really want to make sure that we are memorializing them and honoring them.”
• The board approved a resolution authorizing the superintendent to acquire the property located at 4148 Grassmere Lane, Unit 2A, by negotiation and agreement, or eminent domain proceedings.