The local union, Houston Federation of Teachers, is asking for a temporary restraining order, arguing a new state law should've allowed teachers to get a raise starting this Friday, when they return for the new school year.
A judge ultimately denied the temporary restraining order that the union was asking for.
"She didn't tell us from the bench what the reasoning was for denying the relief we were requesting," Manuel Quinto-Pozos, the attorney representing the Houston Federation of Teachers, said.
The union is asking for that order after they claim the new compensation plan from HISD for the new school year violates a new law, House Bill 2.
HISD argued that they do not have the money for the raises yet from the bill. They also said the bill does not go into effect until Sept. 1, adding HISD has some of the most competitive teacher salaries in the state and that the raises will be provided based on how teachers perform.
But the union said, regardless of the competitive nature, they believe the way they are planning to give out the raises violates a statute in the bill, also arguing HISD Superintendent Mike Miles has said the money will be used on technology and other services in the district.
"Regardless of whether the money is here or not, what they have said, and they said it in court today, they're not giving across-the-board raises, which is what the legislature mandated," Quinto-Pozos said. " They are giving these raises based on performance, and there's an avenue for doing that, and that's the teacher allotment enhanced program. The problem is that the district doesn't qualify to give out the raises that way."
The union is again adding that every teacher should get the raise regardless of performance.
"That's the way it's done in most districts across the state, and so Houston should not be an exception," Quinto-Pozos said.
Parties will be back in court for a temporary injunction hearing on Aug. 7.
HISD sent ABC13 a statement:
Houston ISD has steadily increased individual teacher pay. The teacher pay-for-performance system represents the most significant increase in individual teacher compensation. Over the past two years, HISD student achievement has dramatically improved. The pay-for-performance system recognizes that the single most important factor in student achievement is teacher effectiveness and rewards teachers for their positive impact on student success. We are pleased with today's ruling and believe that the judge followed the law in denying HFT's request for a temporary restraining order.
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