The Northside Independent School District in San Antonio is standing firm on its decision not to grant pay raises to select support and classified staff members, rejecting a union grievance in a 5-2 vote, as reported by the San Antonio Report. The school board's ruling follows a contentious debate over salary increases that commenced in January 2023, when raises were approved for certain positions with high vacancy rates, exploding tension between the district and the Northside American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Despite last-ditch efforts for retrospective pay increases, Northside ISD Superintendent Dr. John Craft cited budget constraints, saying the estimated $6.2 million cost for the desired raises does not account for additional compression adjustments, which would rack up more expenses, according to a statement obtained by News 4 San Antonio.
The financial outlook remains bleak, with Dr. Craft noting the upcoming budget may also lack extra funds for general pay raises. Union president Melina Espiritu-Azocar told the News 4 San Antonio despite the setback “We're going to keep fighting the good fight, we're going to stand united with them. We're going to hold the district accountable. These are some of the hardest jobs and they what their compensation should look like they're doing those hardest jobs,”
Selected staff members, including bus drivers, custodians, and child nutrition workers among others, are fighting to secure at least $15 per hour, echoing Espiritu-Azocar's concern over what she terms 'inequitable pay increases.' The union's grievance highlighted the lack of raises for roles with high retention, contrasting with the district's rationale that a broad sweep in raises would prove too costly. During the hearing, the union also criticized the district's lack of clear communication regarding pay raise decisions with affected employees, as covered by the San Antonio Report.
The refusal to revisit the salary disparities has exasperated workers like Pearl West, a former manager in the Child Nutrition Department who resigned after seven years of service, her dismay palpable when she told the San Antonio Report, “I was ready to retire with Northside, but it was no longer worth it.” The school district has pledged to seek better means to communicate future compensation changes and although the board denied the union's requests for retroactive pay, discussions about the impending budget are underway, which might entail raises for those overlooked last year.
