Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas

1.     Reinstate full state funding to TRS for each member.  Legislators reduced the state contribution for each TRS member from 7.31% to the current 6% contribution ten years ago during another funding crisis and have failed to properly fund the pension fund to keep pace with increased retirements.

2.     Maintain the retirement rule of 80 for current TRS members grandfathered by SB 1691 passed during the 2005 legislative session.

Teacher Health Insurance

     Repeal the .65% payroll tax all current Texas educators pay to fund TRS Care health benefits for retirees and require the state to fully and adequately fund retiree health benefits.

Teacher Compensation

1.  Increase teacher salaries to reach the national  average no later than the conclusion of the 2009 legislative session.  Many of you have seen our presentation.   NTTLB asked for an immediate across-the-board $4,000 raise for the 2005-2006 school year.  Obviously, we didn't reach that goal.  However, we feel that our efforts have been worthwhile.  After the last summer session, our Texas Legislature did vote a pay raise of approximately $2,000 for teachers.  This is the only raise teachers have been given by the state for seven years.  This raise is a step in the right direction. NTTLB recommends another $2,000 raise from the future 80th Texas Legislature.

2.     Extend the state minimum salary schedule from the current 20 steps to 40 steps as detailed below. 

We've shortened the salary schedule by posting salaries for each five years of experience.  Note that the state's current salary schedule looks a little more like what NTTLB proposed!   We will ask the 80th Legislature for another $2,000 raise.  We will continue to ask for such raises until the salaries of Texas teachers have reached the national average.  Note that the state schedule stops after 20 years of experience.  We feel that experienced teachers should continue to receive step increases in salary, just as professionals in other careers receive.  NTTLB proposed salary schedule is the blue column.

Testing and Accountability

Cease increased TAKS or End of Course testing.  Accountability is important; however, the current TAKS testing schedule along with proposed revisions will maximize its effectiveness.  No additional student assessments are necessary.

Retired Educators

1.     Withdraw the six month exception provision for rehired retired teachers and allow them to receive the full annuity they are due.

2.     Require school districts that pay more than state minimum to pay rehired retired teachers on the same salary schedule all other teachers are paid.

3.  Reinstate cost of living increases for all TRS annuitants.  TRS retirees have not had a cost of living increase in 4 years.