Introduction to the Lawsuit
The Houston Federation of Teachers has filed a lawsuit against the Houston Independent School District (HISD) over the distribution of state-funded teacher raises. The lawsuit, which was filed in Harris County, also names state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles and the district’s state-appointed board of managers as defendants. The teachers’ union is arguing that HISD’s decision to distribute the raises based on performance rather than experience is not in line with the state’s funding plan.
Background on the Funding Plan
The funding for teacher pay raises was included in House Bill 2, an $8.5 billion school funding plan. According to HB 2, school districts with over 5,000 students are required to increase teacher pay by $2,500 for classroom teachers with at least three years of teaching experience. Teachers with five or more years of experience are supposed to receive a $5,000 increase. This is referred to as the "Teacher Retention Allotment."
The Lawsuit’s Claims
The lawsuit accuses HISD of not following HB 2’s compensation plan. Instead of passing along the state-funded salary increase to all eligible teachers, HISD has adopted a compensation plan for 2025-26 that does not include the Teacher Retention Allotment. The district plans to use the state funds for performance bonuses or other purposes. The Houston Federation of Teachers argues that since HB 2 does not include an exemption for HISD, the district is distributing the funds illegally.
HISD’s Response
HISD has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit, but the district has released a statement saying that teacher effectiveness is the "most important factor in student achievement." The district believes that its teacher pay-for-performance system represents the most significant increase in individual teacher compensation. A judge has denied the Houston Federation of Teachers’ request for a temporary restraining order, which would have prevented HISD from spending the funds on anything other than teacher pay raises.
Next Steps
The Houston Federation of Teachers is still optimistic about the outcome of the lawsuit and is exploring next steps. The union’s president, Jackie Anderson, has stated that the union is concerned that HISD is not following the law in respect to the purpose of the state funds. The next court date is set for August 7, when the judge has ordered HISD to appear and explain why a temporary restraining order should not be granted to the teachers’ union.
Conclusion
The lawsuit filed by the Houston Federation of Teachers against HISD is a significant development in the ongoing debate over teacher pay and funding in Texas. The outcome of the lawsuit will have important implications for teachers, students, and the education system as a whole. As the case moves forward, it will be important to watch how the court rules on the distribution of state-funded teacher raises and how this decision affects the future of education in Houston and beyond.
