Navarro Independent School District

GERONIMO, TX – June 17, 2025 – The Navarro ISD Board of Trustees, at their regular meeting on June 16, 2025, approved a historic compensation plan for the 2025-2026 school year. The significant investment, totaling $2.45 million, reflects Board Priority #1: Recruiting, Hiring, Coaching, and Retaining High Quality Teachers and Staff to Support Student Outcomes. 

This landmark decision ensures significant pay raises for all returning full-time employees, exceeding state requirements and solidifying Navarro ISD's position as a leader in supporting its invaluable educators and staff.

"We are incredibly excited to announce these substantial investments in those who invest so much in our district," said Melissa Sartain, Board of Trustee President. "In Navarro ISD, our staff are our greatest asset and we deeply appreciate the hard work and love our educators and staff pour into the students every single day. While these compensation adjustments are a grateful and humble reflection of the invaluable contributions from all staff, faculty, and administrators, we acknowledge that they are a significant jump in the right direction.” She further added, “We are incredibly proud to be leading the way in providing this level of compensation, and we are committed to continuing the vital work to compensate all employees fairly and competitively."

The newly approved compensation plan, developed through the diligent work of the Navarro ISD Compensation Task Force, new legislative mandates approved in the 89th session, and a thorough review of district finances, sets a new standard for employee support. It reflects the district's commitment to fiscal soundness, ensuring these significant increases are achieved while maintaining a positive budget outlook and remaining responsible and transparent stewards of taxpayer dollars.

Key Highlights of the 2025-2026 Compensation Plan:

• Significant Raises for Returning Teachers:
  • Returning teachers with 1-4 years of experience will receive an impressive $5,500 increase.
  • Returning teachers with 5 or more years of experience will see an $8,400 increase.
• Strategic Adjustments for New Teachers:
  • Step 0 (no experience), for certified teachers, increases by $1,000 to $55,300.
  • A new Step 0, for non-certified teachers, will be introduced at $52,300, aligning with legislative requirements.
  • Steps 1-2 will increase by $5,000, with further adjustments to Steps 3-25+ to meet HB2 requirements.
• Equitable Increases Across All Staff Categories:
  • Clerical, Paraprofessional, and Auxiliary Staff: These vital support roles will receive a substantial increase of 10% of their midpoint.
  • Administrative and Professional Staff: Increases will align with teacher scale adjustments, capped at $8,000, maintaining essential percentage differentials.
• Enhanced Health Insurance Contributions: The district will increase its monthly health insurance contribution by $32 (from $315 to $347), maintaining the district’s percentage contribution based on 2025-2026 TRS rates.

"We are immensely grateful to our Board of Trustees for their bold action and leadership to support our Panther Family," added Dr. Mandy Epley, Navarro ISD Superintendent. "We know that the most important and effective resource we can provide for students, to be able to engage in daily experiences where they confidently learn and grow, are quality educators and support staff members. By investing in our people, we are directly investing in the success of every student in Navarro ISD creating a caring and safe environment that fosters development, curiosity, and support. This is an exciting time for our growing district and a testament to our continued commitment to the legacy of high standards that the heart of Geronimo is known for.”

The preliminary 2025-2026 budget fully funds the proposed Compensation Plan through both state and local funding. The district’s business office has meticulously planned for the long-term sustainability of these increases, accounting for growth and upholding financial integrity of our tax dollars.

Navarro ISD extends its deepest gratitude to our Compensation Task Force members (made up of representatives from all employee groups), Chief Financial Officer Paul Neuhoff, Payroll & Benefits Manager Alicia Boswell, and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and School Leadership Dr. David Kauffman for their exceptional hard work and dedication in thoughtfully and thoroughly developing this comprehensive compensation plan and salary scale in light of the quick turnaround time following the 89th legislative updates. Their collaboration, expertise, and commitment were instrumental in achieving this positive outcome for the entire district.