Taylor Independent School District

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The Taylor ISD Board of Trustees met for its Regular Meeting on July 21. Highlights from the meeting include:

• The Board approved phase two of the district compensation plan for the 2025-2026 school year
• The Board approved a new longevity stipend to honor Taylor ISD employees
• Purchase of 55.8 acres of land next to Taylor High School to address future growth

Read the full recap below.

RECOGNITIONS

Superintendent Coin of Excellence

Taylor ISD Payroll Manager Julie Porter was selected as the recipient of the July 2025 Superintendent Coin of Excellence. She was presented with the coin by Superintendent Dr. Garcia-Edwardsen and Chief Financial Officer Jina Self.

“She consistently ensures her work is accurate and on time, demonstrating a strong command of compliance requirements and an unwavering commitment to confidentiality,” said Self. “Julie’s deep knowledge and compassionate customer service has made her an invaluable resource to the employees of Taylor ISD.”

Julie oversees the district’s payroll, ensuring all staff members are paid accurately and on time, every two to four weeks. 

Leadership TASB Recognition

Board of Trustees President Marco Ortiz was recognized for completing the Leadership TASB program and earning the designation of as a Master Trustee. LTASB is the premier trustee leadership training program of its kind in Texas, connecting school board leaders across the state.

President Ortiz traveled across the state learning about the different ways school districts and board members serve the state’s 5.5 million public school students. 

Master Trustee Byan Holubec, representing the LTASB Alumni Association, was present to honor President Ortiz for the accomplishment.

“We are incredibly proud of his accomplishment and grateful for the wisdom and dedication he brings to our board and to the nearly 3,000 students we serve in Taylor ISD,” said Dr. Garcia-Edwardsen. “Congratulations, President Ortiz, and thank you for continuing to represent Taylor ISD and our community so well and wish such strong leadership.”

REPORTS

2022 Bond Update 

Construction projects from the 2022 Bond are all 99% complete. The only remaining items include: 

• Road behind Main Street ES that leads to Mallard Lane
• Landscape at Taylor MS 
• Minor items at Taylor HS and the new support operations facility

The Central Administration Office will soon undergo renovations to include a security vestibule, Taylor MS is getting a refresh with new paint in all classrooms, and the MSE library is getting a refresh as well. 

Professional Development Plan for 2025-2026 

Chief Academic Officer Megan Zembik presented the district’s professional development plan in line with the district’s goals and priorities. The highlights include:

• University of Texas Thrive Program that provides mentorship and support to new teachers
• Professional development week for all instructional staff in August
• Summer ESL certification opportunity
• Embedded professional learning days

She also shared a monthly overview for the 2025-2026 school year and the type of professional development provided throughout the year. 

Increase Engagement through Well-rounded Experiences

Chief Human Resources and Student Services Officer Jennifer Patschke presented about the district’s efforts to ensure students are engaging at all levels. She spoke about opportunities for engagement from Pre-K through 12th grade, and how each campus tracks student involvement. This is a coordinated effort to ensure students engage at school and provide experiences relevant to student interests, which in turn promotes belonging future success. 

Purchase of Land with 2022 Bond Funds

Dr. Garcia-Edwardsen spoke about the district’s purchase of 55.8 acres just southeast of Taylor High School, using bonds from the 2022 bond. The purchase ties into the district’s priorities of ensuring strategic long term asset and facility planning. She said the district would monitor a recent demographer report to determine what might be placed on the land in the future, as many campuses are expected to grow in the next 10 years.

NEW BUSINESS

Consider and possible action to approve 2025-2026 Pay Grades & Employee Compensation Manual

The board approved the 2025-2026 Compensation Manual, which includes updates to pay grades and pay scales to come in line with market standards. The salary adjustments work in conjunction with the pay raise to ensure staff salaries remain competitive with the surrounding districts.

Consider and possible action to approve pay increase for employees on the Clerical, Auxiliary, and Administrator/Professional Staff Pay Structures

The board approved a 3% raise for all non-teaching staff across the district. The raises go to all non-teaching staff, including nurses, librarians, counselors, instructional coaches, paraprofessionals, clerical staff, maintenance and operations staff, and administrative professional staff.

This was the second phase of a two-phase compensation plan. The first phase addressed teacher raises and was approved by the board in June 2025. 

Read the full release on the 3% raise at this link.

Consider and possible action to create a longevity stipend

The board approved a brand-new longevity stipend to reward employee loyalty based on years of service to Taylor ISD. This is an effort to reward current employees who have faithfully served the district over time. 

Employees will receive $500 for every five years of service to Taylor ISD. So, for example:

• $500 - 5 years of service 
• $1000 - 10 years of service 
• $1500 - 15 years of service
• $2000 - 20 years of service
• $2500 - 25 years of service
• $3000 - 30 years of service
• $3500 - 35 years of service
• $4000 - 40 years of service

In May 2026 for the first year of implementation, the district will honor all current employees who have reached a 5-year milestone. For example, an employee who has been with the district for six, seven, eight, or nine years will receive the five-year stipend of $500 in May 2026. Then, after the initial year, the stipend will only be awarded to employees in their milestone year, meaning every five years of service to Taylor ISD. Read more about the new stipend at this link.

Consideration and possible action to approve revision to FNCE(LOCAL) (HB1481 Student Use of Personal Communication Devices)

The board approved the revision to FNCE(LOCAL) to come in line with the new HB1481, the state law requiring that schools prohibit student use of personal communication devices on school property during the school day. 

The district policy states that students are not allowed to bring their electronic devices to school. They are recommended to leave their personal devices at home, in their personal vehicles (for secondary students), or to place their personal devices in the assigned campus lock-box with the location determined by each campus.

HB1481 provides flexibility for districts regarding extracurricular activities. The rule also allows for students with documented medical needs to be exempted from the requirement if they need their personal devices to monitor their health. Those students may receive individual accommodations. 

Additional details regarding the policy will be shared with parents before the start of the school year.

Consideration and possible action to approve revision to FD(LOCAL) and FM(LOCAL) (SB 401 Homeschool UIL Participation)

The board approved and adopted revisions to both policies, opting out of allowing homeschool students from participating in extracurricular activities through the school district. 

CONSENT AGENDA - Approved

• Minutes 
• Tax Report
• Purchasing approval request 
• Quarterly investment report 
• Approve renewal of Impact Counseling MOU
• Approve renewal of Communities in Schools MOU
• Approve District Professional Development Plan 

Approve agreement for the purchase of attendance credit - Approved

You can watch the full meeting at this link.