Back to School is August 26th, Teachers Receive Pay Raises

By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2019

Eagle Pass Independent School District Superintendent Samuel Mijares announced at a press conference on August 15, 2019 that all schools of the local school district will commence classes on Monday, August 26th, with over 14,000 students expected to attend during the 2019-2020 school year.

Mijares noted that all local public Pre-Kindergarten schools will now be providing instruction all day from 8:15 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. as mandated by the Texas Legislature. Parents are encouraged to prepare their young children for attending school during the full day.

Mijares highlighted the new teacher pay raises for the 2019-2020 school year approved by the Eagle Pass Independent School District Board of Trustees at their August 13, 2019 meeting. Teachers with five or more years of experience will receive a $3,500 pay raise for 187 days of work, while teachers with less than five years of experience will receive a $3,156 pay raise for 187 days of work.

Mijares noted that with the new teacher pay raises, the starting salary for new teachers at the Eagle Pass Independent School District increased from $45,000 per year to $48,000 per year.

The health insurance premium for school district employees increased for the 2019-2020 academic year, but the District will pay the increased cost for each employee, Mijares said.

The grand opening of the new Eagle Pass Independent School District Service Center located at 587 Madison Street (former Austin Elementary) was held on July 30, 2019 with a large participation of community members and stakeholders.

Mijares stated that the school district finance reporting received a superior rating from the state, the highest available for public school districts. He added that the Eagle Pass Independent School District’s credit rating from Moody and Fitch received an A-1 and A plus rating, signifying a strong credit rating for the local school district.

Mijares added that parents, students, and the community should take extra time to travel to and from school during the first week of classes, commencing on Monday, August 26th through August 30th, to get adjusted back to school. He added that he wishes all local students to have an outstanding and healthy school year during 2019-2020.