AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Leander Independent School District’s Board of Trustees will meet Thursday night to consider giving its staff a one-time, $1,000 bonus, according to the board’s meeting agenda.
The recommendation comes from Leander ISD superintendent Dr. Bruce Gearing, and is backed by the ISD’s chief financial officer and its interim chief human resources officer.
In May 2024, the board approved its yearly compensation plan, which includes a provision for the superintendent to issue a bonus. That bonus can only happen if doing so doesn’t cause “a financial hardship for the district” and if the chief financial officer signs off on it.
The original Leander ISD budget (column 1) is below. The document also shows the budget with the proposed bonus (column 4). Story continues below.
In total, the proposed bonuses would cost the district around $5.5 million.
“The budget adopted by the Board…estimated revenues less than expenditures in the amount of $13.1 million for the 2024-2025 school year,” the agenda item reads, “However, the general fund balance is estimated at $185 million, which is more than Texas Education Association recommended amount of 25% of operating budget ($115 million).”
If approved, full-time employees would receive $1,000, according to the proposal. Part-time employees would get $500.
Substitute teachers, temporary workers, and workers hired after Nov. 22 are not eligible for the bonus. Employees on administrative leave are also not eligible.
If approved, the bonuses would be issued on Dec. 20.
