Classroom teachers at Clear Lake High School, Clear Brook High School and other Clear Creek ISD campuses will see a $725 raise at midpoint under a new compensation plan the board of trustees approved unanimously Monday, July 27, according to the district's board report.

The plan also gives paraprofessionals and auxiliary staff a 2% increase, all other employees a 1% bump and substitutes an extra $5 per day. Teachers at different experience levels may receive more or less than $725, which represents the 1% midpoint figure.

CFO Alice Benzaia and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Dr. Robert Branch presented the plan to the seven-member board: President Jonathan Cottrell, Vice President Jessica Cejka, Secretary Jamieson Mackay and Trustees Jay Cunningham, Arturo Sanchez, Jeffrey Larson and Rebecca Lilley.

All seven voted yes.

The raises come as the district navigates a projected shortfall exceeding $20 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year. CCISD has already cut 70 positions to align staffing with enrollment that has dropped more than 6% since the 2019-20 school year, Community Impact reported.

At the same meeting, Benzaia recommended the board schedule a public hearing on Monday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m. to discuss and adopt the 2026-27 budget and the 2026 proposed tax rate. The board approved that recommendation unanimously as well.

The district's May preliminary budget projects $404.4 million in revenues against $424.2 million in expenses. The proposed tax rate is $0.963 per $100 valuation, lower than the current rate.

Benzaia has signaled a balancing act between employee compensation and fiscal constraints. At a July 13 board workshop, she recommended maintaining the district's existing health insurance contribution levels despite a 12% premium increase, telling trustees the goal was "to continue offering competitive healthcare benefits," as Community Impact reported July 15.

In other business July 27, Trustee Cunningham pulled the 2025 Tax Collection Report from the consent agenda to recognize the finance department for achieving 100% tax collection.

The board also approved Heidi Danner as the new Director of Special Programs.

The Monday, Aug. 24, public hearing will be held at the CCISD boardroom, 2425 E. Main St., League City. As we reported Aug. 4, the district faces a separate Aug. 17 deadline on whether to call a tax rate election. Residents who want to comment on the proposed budget and tax rate can attend the 6 p.m. hearing in person.