Fort Worth school district leads in pay for experienced teachers. What do they earn?

The teachers with the most experience in the Fort Worth school district are the highest paid in the western half of the Metroplex at $76,500 a year, according to an analysis by the United Educators Association.

That number is for those with more than three decades of experience, with a scale going down to $60,000 for teachers with no experience, according to a Fort Worth salary schedule.

Steven Poole, the executive director of the organization, presented the findings at a recent school board meeting, a forum where teachers have expressed gratitude for the increases during public comment.

The analysis of salaries includes major North Texas school districts west of Irving and Grand Prairie.

Poole told the Star-Telegram that the district was able to increase salaries by using additional money from a 2017 tax ratification vote that restructured the tax rate.

Board President Tobi Jackson said the numbers are the culmination of a long-standing process.

“To maintain our place as a leading employer, Fort Worth ISD compensation is reviewed annually against neighboring school districts,” she said in a statement. “This spring we went even further by conducting a comprehensive third party, compensation review of all positions, stipends and hourly rates.”

Fort Worth tops rankings after raises

After COVID-era bumps Poole said the district “rocketed to the top of the comparison,” which has been done for the last 29 years as a way for school boards and superintendents to gauge their competitiveness and for teachers to see where they stand in the field.

“This is a big turnaround from where they were about five, six years ago,” Poole said.

The board in June approved 4% compensation increase for teachers and a 4% midpoint increase for all other employees except for para-professional and hourly employees, who will receive a 6% midpoint increase.

Fort Worth, which stepped up the base salary for teachers from $60,000 in the 1990s to over $76,000 in the most recent school year, is not the only district to increase their salaries in recent years, according to the analysis.

The Alvarado school district was third, paying $75,400 to teachers with a bachelor’s degree and 30 years experience. Starting teacher earn $54,600.

“School districts are now hyper competitive hiring markets, and not only with each other, but with the private sector,” Poole said. “You can see they worked hard to not only attract folks into the district, but also retain them.”

The Arlington school district, which had been highest-paying district for 20 years, fell sixth, behind Fort Worth, Hurst-Euless-Bedford, Alvarado, Irving and Castleberry.

Arlington officials did not return a request for comment by press time.

Vacancies remain despite raises

Despite the raises across the board, and bonuses and stipends that were not included in the analysis, districts continue to struggle with vacancies, Poole said.

“There’s not people coming into the profession like we have seen in years prior, so it is a dwindling number of people who are wanting to teach and every district is fighting for them,” Poole said.

In addition to salaries, Poole said districts need to work on improving working conditions that have teachers wanting to leave the profession.

Jackson, the board president, said that the raises along with a redesign of job descriptions will elevate the district as an employer in the region.

“Our Compensation Manual was completely redesigned with a focus on clear career pathway progression, allowing both current and prospective employees to see their future within our district,” she said. “By developing an aggressive compensation plan, coupled with early hiring, we are able to secure top talent for the students of Fort Worth ISD. “