Nancy Sharp Talks About Lubbock ISD Teacher Raises [AUDIO]

Today on Lubbock's First News on KFYO, Nancy Sharp of the Lubbock Independent School District appeared on the show to discuss yesterday's budget approved by the Board of Trustees.

In Thursday's meeting, the Texas State Teacher's Association, asked the board to approve at least a 3% raise (one member asked the board to consider a 14% by taking money from the reserve fund) for the teachers. However, the 2.5% raise, for all employees, was the best that the district could do without drawing money from their reserve fund.

Raises create additional annual expenditures for the district. According to Sharp a 1% raise for all LISD employees translates to an additional yearly expenditure, "of about 1.3 million dollars and so that is why it is a significant investment. Now I think that the board thought that 2.5% was the very best they could do," she said. Sharp went on to explain that the district's reserve fund is the equivalent of a person's saving account.

Lubbock ISD Superintendent Dr. Berhl Robertson had been awarded a 3% raise, but he asked for a 2% raise instead.

To hear the full interview, click the play button below: