Source: I'm a teacher in Texas. Here is the payscale for my district: https://docs.google.com/a/roundrockisd.org/file/d/0B13hERGxqDqDMEZ3ZDlnQWd6Yk0/edit https

Source: I'm a teacher in Texas. Here is the payscale for my district: https://docs.google.com/a/roundrockisd.org/file/d/0B13hERGxqDqDMEZ3ZDlnQWd6Yk0/edit https://docs.google.com/a/roundrockisd.org/file/d/0B13hERGxq... Each district determines its own payscale. That's no different than a union state. Teachers in Boston have a different payscale than teachers in Springfield, MA even though they are both part of the MTA. CTE Teachers (Career and Technical Education) do get a $2000 stipend but they also have an extra week of work plus extracurricular duties during the school year, so it's not just "extra money". There is no negotiating over salary or benefits. "Employees are paid in accordance with administrative guidelines and an established pay structure. The District’s compensation plan is reviewed by Human Resource Services each year to include comparisons with other districts, an analysis of market data, as well as cost of living information. The compensation plan is adjusted as data dictates and the budget allows. The Board of Trustees approves the compensation plan on an annual basis."[1] This is the Dallas pay schedule: http://www.nctq.org/docs/DISD_2015-2016_Salary_Handbook_FINAL.pdf http://www.nctq.org/docs/DISD_2015-2016_Salary_Handbook_FINA... (page 9) They do pay more in Dallas but there still is no negotiation over your salary. It looks like Dallas is replacing the "years of service" schedule with a pay-for-performance schedule (page 8) where your salary is adjusted up or down according to "performance, student achievement and student perception surveys."[2] That went into effect last year, I believe. I wouldn't be surprised to see that spread. [1] https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B13hERGxqDqDR19OcW1WRHpEd0U/view https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B13hERGxqDqDR19OcW1WRHpEd0U... (page 15) [2] http://tei.dallasisd.org/current-teachers-2/ http://tei.dallasisd.org/current-teachers-2/