Longview ISD will award more than $3.5 million in performance-based incentive pay to reward exceptional teachers across the district.
Under the Longview Incentive for Teachers (LIFT) program, several of the district's highest-performing teachers will receive substantial bonuses in their December paychecks.
"This program is designed to celebrate the educators who go above and beyond to ensure student success," said Dr. Marla Sheppard, Superintendent of Schools. "These awards recognize their dedication and reflect our commitment to providing high-quality education at all campuses."
The incentive program, funded by the district's board-approved fund balance, was established to recognize and retain the district's most effective educators.
"We're focused on creating a culture where teachers feel motivated and supported to drive meaningful progress with students," Dr. Sheppard said.
Incentive payments are based on a range of performance measures. To ensure that bonuses are awarded on an equitable basis, Longview ISD calculates distinctions for eligible campuses using Texas Education Agency (TEA) accountability standards and specific campus distinctions for high performance.
Only campuses that met these rigorous standards received performance-based incentive pay this year, underscoring the district's commitment to excellence. Eligible campuses received bonuses based on the number of distinctions earned in various academic areas, with additional recognition for campuses contributing to the district's overall postsecondary readiness rating, awarded by TEA.
"This approach reinforces our priority to honor achievements while motivating campuses to strive for improvement continually," Dr. Sheppard explained.
The 2024 incentive distribution will follow a "lump sum" disbursement, starting Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.
The awards focus on campuses meeting high standards in student performance. By emphasizing distinctions, Longview ISD intends to motivate campuses to achieve even higher marks in the coming years. This year's LIFT incentives, combined with the Texas Education Agency's Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), make it possible for many teachers to achieve competitive salaries.
"Our incentive program is an investment in the outstanding educators who dedicate themselves to student success," Dr. Sheppard said. "Their hard work is building a brighter future for Longview ISD."
While LIFT has evolved since its launch in 2011 to include multiple award models, the district remains steadfast in its mission to elevate student outcomes by rewarding teacher excellence.
"Our focus is clear," Dr. Sheppard said, "better student performance means better compensation for our teachers—a fair and motivating structure for everyone involved."
In the spirit of continuous improvement, district leaders encourage campuses that did not receive distinctions to use this as an opportunity to set ambitious goals for the coming year.
"We're excited to see how every campus responds to this year's achievements," Dr. Sheppard said, "as we aim to boost overall academic performance and ensure a thriving learning environment for every student."