2/2/02

Yesterday, in version 12 of the FAQ document for ARRA - SFSF, the TEA indicated that an opinion will be requested from the Texas Attorney General concerning payment of a step increase for school year 2010-2011.  The updates to the FAQ document are excerpted below.  It is important to read the document in its entirety and share it with all affected staff.   

"Salary Increase

1. Q.* In planning for the 2010–2011 school year, it was our initial understanding that the $80 per month salary increase was a one-time increase to be maintained for both years through 2011 but that we would be required to give a step increase each year for both 2009–2010 and 2010–2011 based on the 2008–2009 salary schedules. However, the second sentence in the following statement, which appeared in the last posted version of the FAQs, seems to contradict what we had understood: The salary increase required in 2009–2010 must be maintained in 2010–2011. An additional increase is not required in 2010–2011.

Is it correct, then, that we do not need to provide a step increase for 2010–2011 as long as we maintain the step increase and $80 per month salary increase that were provided for 2009–2010, as illustrated in the following example?

2008–2009: Employee is at step 1 with a salary of $40,000.

2009–2010: Employee moves to step 2 (of the 2008–2009 schedule) with a salary of $41,000 + $80/month.

2010–2011: No additional increase is required. Employee moves to step 3 with a salary of $41,000 + $80/month.

A. Unfortunately, we do not have an answer to your question at this time. Commissioner Scott has requested an opinion on this issue from the Office of the Attorney General, and the agency expects an answer sometime in July 2010. We will provide guidance on this issue as soon as we receive the attorney general's opinion.

Uses of State Fiscal Stabilization Fund Funds

1. Q.* Is using SFSF funds to pay for central appraisal district (CAD) fees allowable under ESEA Title VIII - Impact Aid?

A. No. Using SFSF funds to pay for CAD fees is not allowable under ESEA Title VIII - Impact Aid or under any of the other acts (IDEA, AEFLA, or Perkins). Neither is using SFSF funds to pay for expenses or remuneration of local board members, board meetings, election costs, or tax office costs or for any other expenses that are considered general government expenses under Office of Management and Budget Circular A-87 [http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/rewrite/circulars/a087/a87_2004.html].

2. Q.* Is using SFSF funds to pay for fuel costs allowable under ESEA Title VIII - Impact Aid?

A. Yes. "

To access the FAQ document, click on the link below.

http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/edex/docs/FAQXII.pdf