Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Peter Licata announced his intention to give all teachers in all classrooms a 5% raise next school year.
In a letter obtained by NBC 5, the raises will go to all teachers of record in all non-elevate classrooms in the district.
Elevate is the district’s new group of campuses that are performing poorly academically. Teachers in those classrooms already will receive higher pay than the average Fort Worth ISD educator.
Licata stated in a letter to the FWISD community that he hopes this raise is a signal to teachers across Texas and the nation that there are opportunities in Fort Worth ISD.
The district is preparing to launch a job fair on May 2nd.
“We want the best teachers in America looking at Fort Worth ISD,” Licata said in his letter. “This district is moving forward with urgency. We are building a system that values excellence, rewards results, and puts children first. If you are a teacher who gets results for kids, we want to hear from you.”
“As a former FWISD teacher, I’m excited to get our recruitment campaign underway and implement an immediate 5% raise for our classroom teachers,” said Fort Worth ISD board member Laurie George in the prepared statement.
NBC 5 reached out to Steven Poole, spokesman of the United Educators Association that represents Fort Worth ISD teachers: “Teachers will appreciate the raise, it’s definitely needed, FWISD is not the only district announcing raises, it seems like the announcements are coming earlier this year, but it’s not just salary, working conditions for employees must improve.”