Despite Union Objection, Houston ISD's Pay-For-Performance Model Can Proceed

08/01/2025

Despite Union Objection, Houston ISD's Pay-For-Performance Model Can Proceed

By | Texas Scorecard | July 31, 2025

A Harris County judge has denied a teachers’ union request for a temporary restraining order against the Houston Independent School District, allowing the district to move forward with its performance-based teacher compensation plan for the 2025–26 school year.

The legal dispute between the Houston Federation of Teachers and Houston ISD centers on House Bill 2, a new Texas law that establishes a Teacher Retention Allotment of approximately $3.7 billion.

The law includes mandated salary increases of $2,500 for teachers with three to four years of experience and $5,000 for those with five or more years. HFT alleges the district has failed to implement the raises as required, opting instead for a system that awards raises based on performance metrics.

HFT filed the lawsuit earlier this summer, naming Superintendent Mike Miles and the district’s state-appointed Board of Managers. The union argues the law’s language requires uniform raises based on tenure.

Houston ISD, however, contends that it is in compliance, citing provisions that allow districts to apply for the Enhanced Teacher Incentive Allotment, which supports merit-based pay.

During a July 30 hearing, Judge Donna Roth ruled that the restraining order was premature, noting that the new funding law does not take effect until September 1, and that the district has not yet received the associated state funds.

The ruling means teachers will not receive the across-the-board raises sought by the union at this stage of the case.

District officials defended the district’s performance-based plan, stating that teacher effectiveness is a key driver of student success. The district’s new compensation framework—unveiled in April—sets base salaries between $64,000 and $101,000, largely tied to teacher evaluations and student outcomes.

The lawsuit comes amid ongoing tensions between Houston ISD leadership and the union, including previous disputes over teacher evaluations and hiring practices following the 2023 state takeover of the district.

A hearing for a temporary injunction is scheduled for August 7.

Joseph is a journalist for Texas Scorecard reporting from Houston. With a background in business, Joseph is passionate about covering issues impacting citizens.