The Celina ISD Board of Trustees officially approved a $104.14 million budget for the 2025-26 school year, signaling continued investment in both the district’s growth and its employees.
Adopted during a June 23 board meeting, the budget allocates funding across the district’s operational needs, debt obligations and food and nutrition services. Celina ISD’s funding is based on average daily attendance rather than total enrollment, and next year’s budget is based on a projected enrollment of 6,245 students, with an average daily attendance of 5,934.
The Budget Breakdown
- $70.9 million for the general fund
- $30.54 million for debt service
- $2.7 million for food service
Teacher and Staff Pay Increases
Alongside the budget, the board approved a compensation plan that boosts salaries across the district, particularly for teachers with three or more years of experience, in line with a state legislative directive. However, the board also took additional steps to increase pay for first-year teachers, less experienced teachers, and non-teaching staff.
Highlights from the 2025-26 compensation plan include:
- First-year teachers: $58,800 base salary ($60,800 with a master’s degree)
- 1-2 years of experience: $2,300 increase plus step raise (4% increase)
- 3-4 years: $2,500 increase plus step raise (over 4% increase)
- 5+ years: $5,000 increase plus step raise (6.5% to 8.5% increase)
- Non-teaching staff: 4% raise at midpoint
- Auxiliary support staff: 6% raise at midpoint
District leaders emphasized that the compensation plan reflects the importance of all staff in supporting student success, not just those in the classroom. With Celina ISD’s continued growth, these investments aim to keep the district competitive in attracting and retaining quality educators and support personnel.
Staying Competitive in North Texas
The raises come as nearby districts make similar moves to boost educator pay. Plano ISD recently approved the largest salary increase in its history, offering teachers pay bumps ranging from 4% to 8.5% based on experience. Plano’s new starting salary is $63,000, or $65,000 for teachers with a master’s degree.
McKinney ISD also increased teacher salaries for the upcoming year. The changes include a new starting salary of $63,500 for first-year teachers, $2,500 raise for classroom teachers with 3-4 years of service, $5,000 raise for those with 5 or more years of service, 4% increase for paraprofessional, auxiliary and maintenance staff and 3% increase for non-hourly professional employees, including administrators.
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