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www.irvingisd.net
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www.irvingisd.net
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q - Why did Irving ISD ask the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) to conduct a salary study of paraprofessionals? A – The Personnel Department was consistently fielding questions from paraprofessional employees to review their salaries. Rather than look at each position individually and out of context, it was determined that a comprehensive review of all paraprofessional salary schedules would be appropriate. The last comprehensive review was done several years ago. Q – How did TASB collect their information? A – TASB collected information from our District by reviewing IISD Job Descriptions, surveys completed by IISD paraprofessionals, interviews with paraprofessionals and supervisors, discussions with Personnel staff, and observations. TASB also compiles information from neighboring districts and the corporate world to establish the local market rate for various positions. Q - How did TASB determine where to put individual positions on the salary schedule? A – TASB reviewed all the information collected from within Irving ISD and compared it to the data from neighboring Districts and non-school positions similar to ours. The positions were placed on the schedule based on the data in terms of responsibilities and skill-level. Q – How do the salary schedule levels compare to those in 2006-2007? A – It is difficult to compare 2006-2007 with 2007-2008. In 06-07, there were 9 distinct schedules, and three of them were not used at all, or for only one position. There are 8 schedules in 07-08, with multiple positions on each schedule. The schedules have a new numbering system, which does not compare with the previous schedules. Q – Where were the greatest changes in the new salary schedule? A – TASB found that our paraprofessionals on the lower schedules, and/or those with the least experience, were significantly underpaid. Instructional and special education aides had a starting salary of $13,645 in 06-07, and in the new schedule they begin at $15,199. The IISD Board of Trustees budgeted an increase of $250,000 to fund the paraprofessionals who were underpaid in the old schedules. Q – What happens if my salary on the new schedule is lower than I earned in 2006-2007? A – No employee in Irving ISD will have a reduction in salary for 2007-2008, so any employee whose 07-08 salary schedule shows a decrease will have their 06-07 salary “grandfathered.” This means they will receive the same salary they had in 06-07. In addition the District will give each grandfathered employee a 3% pay raise. The intended effect is to slowly move grandfathered paraprofessionals toward the approved salary schedules. Q – How long will I be “grandfathered?” A – As long as the current salary with annual pay raises is higher than the salary quoted on the salary schedule for that position. Many grandfathered employees will never get back on the schedule for the remainder of their career with IISD. Q – What will happen to my salary if I want to change jobs? A – If a paraprofessional transfers to another position that is on the same or higher schedule than their previous position, the paraprofessional will maintain whatever is the higher salary: their current salary or the salary stated on the schedule for the new position. If the new position has additional days of duty, then those days will be added by calculating the daily rate of their current salary. If the new position is on a higher schedule, but the current salary continues to be grandfathered, there will be an additional incentive raise of 1% per level. This change addresses concerns brought forth by employees wanting to further their careers with Irving ISD.
A – You should complete a Salary Review form and submit the completed form to the Coordinator of Paraprofessionals and Substitutes, Vickie Vogel. Q – What do I do if I think my position is on the wrong schedule or the salaries associated with the schedule are inaccurate?
A – You should appeal the new salary or schedule, by using the Employee Compensation Appeal form. Please include any documentation that will further assist the reviewers on your appeal, such as complete listing of duties, statements from supervisors, completed TASB survey form, etc. Additional forms can be found on the website, or through the Coordinator of Paraprofessionals and Substitutes, Vickie Vogel. Completed forms and any supporting documentation need to be sent to Ms. Vogel. Q – Will an appeal really do any good? A – Irving ISD encourages employees to appeal if they truly feel the new salary schedules are not appropriate for their position. TASB, who will assist us in the appeal review, has historically found discrepancies and new information to consider with every new recommended set of schedules. We fully expect to find that some of the positions have been misplaced on the schedule, and the District will make every effort to correct any errors. If someone’s salary is affected by an error, it will be retroactive to the beginning of the 07-08 pay schedule. Q – What happens to the salary schedules in 2008-2009? A – 2007-2008 is the first year of a two year implementation of the new salary schedules. The Administration will be recommending an additional $250,000 in the 2008-2009 budget to fully implement the TASB recommendations. It remains to be seen where in the salary schedules most of this money will be infused. Q – Will the district request a salary study on other groups of employees? A – The Personnel Department annually conducts surveys of Teacher Salaries in approximately 15 neighboring districts, and in addition may consider a plan to regularly schedule an outside review of all employee groups. |
