Teachers in the Lampasas Independent School District will receive a step increase in their salaries. Though the measure is mandated by the state, no funds are being provided to assist in the pay increase.

“Last year, we cut $1.5 million out of our budget with no pay increase to other employees except state-mandated raises,” said LISD Superintendent Randy Hoyer at last week’s monthly board meeting.

Trustees said they would like to see all district employees receive a 3 percent pay hike, but they agreed that is contingent on the outcome of a Sept. 25 Tax Ratification Election.

If the proposition fails, the 2010-2011 salary schedule would remain the same as in the 2009- 2010 term for the district’s employees, with the exception of the state-mandated increases. Hourly employees did not receive a raise in the 2009-2010 school year.

Trustee Dan Claussen said he is for giving raises to all employees. “I am for taking money out of the fund balance to do that for all of our hourly employees,” he said.

Board member Wesley Crow said though he has always supported teacher raises, he will not vote for any measure for teacher pay increases if all employees in the district do not get a raise.

An increase for employees would cost the LISD about $600,000.

In other business, Dana Simpson was hired as a teacher at Taylor Creek Elementary, and a resignation was accepted from David Cardona, an ESL/prekindergarten teacher at Kline Whitis Elementary.

County Extension Agents Jason Byrd and Karen DeZarn were named adjunct staff members so a student can be counted as in attendance when participating in offcampus activities with Extension agents.

Board members also agreed to change the September board meeting to Sept. 13 due to the Labor Day holiday, and they approved an out-of-state trip to a girls’ basketball tournament in Orlando in December. Though the cost is $1,200 per girl, each student is responsible for her own costs. The team went on a similar trip two years ago.

Trustees also decided to make no changes to a local policy regarding a fee schedule for use of school facilities by non-profit groups.

In final matters, Dr. Robin Cain presented the School Health Advisory Council annual board report to trustees. Mrs. Cain serves as chairman of the group, which provides advice to the district on school health programs and their impact on student learning and health.