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(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Graham ISD Chief Financial Officer Gary Browning speaks with the GISD Board of Trustees in August 2025. Browning announced Wednesday, May 13 that the district was eligible for $734,251 in funds for teachers locally through the Teacher Incentive Allotment Program.
After an approved budget amendment, Graham ISD and the state will provide an additional $734,251 in funds for teachers locally through the Teacher Incentive Allotment program.
GISD designated teachers for awards based on student growth and teacher observation data. This year, the district designed 58 teachers who will receive $177,541 more than the previous year.
“We had five teachers who improved their designation status, and 19 who are new recipients,” GISD Chief Financial Officer Gary Browning said. “We are requesting a budget amendment to pay out these awards to teachers in May 2026 so the budgetary impact will be $734,251. That amount will be reimbursed to GISD from the state at the end of September.”
The GISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted Wednesday, May 13 to approve the budget amendment for reimbursement in September.
The state and district use the program to reward teachers doing exemplary work making a difference in the lives of students.
The program was part of state law with House Bill 3 during the 86th Texas Legislature, with districts being required to spend 90% or more of the allotment funding on teacher compensation on the campuses where the designated teachers work.
TIA is used by districts to reward high-performing teachers, with teachers being able to earn one of three levels of designation – Recognized, Exemplary or Master.
Districts will receive an annual state allotment for eligible teachers which can be used to incentivize teachers to remain in the classroom and at needed campuses.
Districts within the program identify teachers based on the growth of their students in the course of a school year measured by the individual student level, rather than through achievement data. TIA allows teachers to earn a higher income while staying in the classroom.
Last year, the GISD board approved a budget amendment of $556,710 in funds for teachers locally through the Teacher Incentive Allotment Program.
A total of $481,650,034 was awarded in 2024-2025 to 665 districts and 42,294 designated teachers within the program.
