AUSTIN — As President of the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees, Gina Hinojosa said, “the buck stopped with me.” Her record shows where the money went. During Hinojosa’s tenure on the AISD Board, district spending increased by more than $321 million – nearly 40% – while administrative payrolls grew nearly 15%. Teacher pay, meanwhile, increased just 3.5%. She may claim to be an advocate for teachers now, but Gina’s record is clear — she shoveled taxpayer money into the pockets of administrators, instead of excellence in the classroom.
“Gina Hinojosa has a curious record for someone who purports to care about public school teachers and Texas students. On the AISD School Board, Hinojosa poured money into the pockets of administrative bureaucrats instead of teachers, raided the district’s savings account despite falling enrollment, and left teachers fighting for scraps. If Gina Hinojosa can’t manage a school board, how can she run the eighth largest economy in the entire world?”
— Catherine Frazier, Texans for Greg Abbott Communications Director
Gina’s Hinojosa’s time on the AISD School Board proves she is grossly unfit to lead Texas:
- In a 2016 interview with KXAN, Gina Hinojosa said of her time on the AISD Board, “the buck stopped with me.” (YouTube)
- AISD’s spending grew significantly more than teacher pay. During her tenure, Hinojosa squandered the school budget and increased AISD expenditures by over $321 million, or nearly 40%, even as student enrollment saw a steady decline. A chunk of those expenditures went towards administrative payrolls, which increased by nearly 15% while Hinojosa was on the school board. Conversely, over the same time period, teacher pay increased by only 3.5%. Spending (Table 22), Administrative Payrolls (Table 47), 12-13 Teacher Pay (page 17), 16-17 Teacher Pay (page 22)
- In Hinojosa’s first AISD budget year, average teacher pay fell in the district while statewide teacher pay rose. In AISD, teacher pay dropped by more than $1,500 on average. Average statewide teacher pay, by contrast, increased by nearly $900.Baseline Teacher Pay (Page 16), First Year of Gina Data (Page 17)
- Teacher pay in AISD lagged behind the state average while Hinojosa was on the school board. From FY2013 to FY2017, teacher pay statewide saw an average salary increase of more than $3,700. That’s more than double the average teacher pay growth in AISD over the same time period. 12-13 Teacher Pay (page 17), 16-17 Teacher Pay (page 22)
- AISD was ranked last among Texas’ major urban districts for teacher pay every year during Hinojosa’s tenure. When she was school board president, her CFO acknowledged that “Austin teachers rate salaries rank dead last when we compare ourselves with urban and local counterparts.” Teacher Pay Comparison (Page 42), Meeting Transcript
Gina also raised property taxes while on the AISD School Board.
- The total amount of AISD property taxes imposed increased by nearly $405 million, or 52%, during Hinojosa’s tenure on the AISD School Board. (FY 2020 Budget Table 8)
- In her first year on the school board, she voted to increase AISD property taxes on the average Austin home by nearly $140. (FY 2018 Budget Table 20)
- Her second year, she voted to increase AISD property taxes again – by $230 on average. (FY 2018 Budget Table 20)
- In year three, as AISD board president, she increased AISD property taxes yet again by over $170 on average. (FY 2018 Budget Table 20)
- In year four, Hinojosa voted to increase AISD property taxes by more than $330 on average. (FY 2018 Budget Table 20)
- Over her four years on the school board, Hinojosa voted to increase AISD property taxes on the average Austin home by nearly $900 total. (FY 2018 Budget Table 20)