HOUSTON -- Houston Independent School District Abelardo Saavedra made a surprise announcement Thursday that he hopes to raise the pay of district employees and teachers by at least 3 percent.

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HISD Superintendent Hopes To Raise Teachers' Pay

The news came two days after the superintendent announced more budget and job cuts were in store for the district.

Local 2 reported the pay raised would cost the district about $24 million, but Saavedra said that through budget tightening, he believes the district can raise more money for teachers.

On another proposal announced during Saavedra's State of the School speech given Tuesday, the superintendent clarified Thursday that the district has no definite plans to bring in outside contractors as a way of improving three underperforming schools.

The school board heard from parents and alumni Thursday who do not want outside organizations brought in to reorganize three of Houston's oldest high schools -- Jack Yates Senior High School, Sam Houston High School and Kashmere High School.

"It is an unfair and unjust decision. It was a very hurtful thing to read about this in the paper," an alumni of one of three schools targeted for reorganization said.

Saavedra insisted Thursday that the Houston Chronicle improperly reported his plans for Yates, Sam Houston and Kashmere high schools.

The superintendent clarified that what he said during his speech was that the district is currently taking proposals from teachers and administrators already in place at the schools, as well as nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

"Some may be from outside, some are within (the district), but I really feel at this point the media has presented this as a sure thing, that we are going to outsource these schools, and it is simply not that," Saavedra said.

The district is required by law to reorganize Yates, Kashmere and Sam Houston because they have underperformed for two consecutive years. Teachers at Yates High School were already working on a reorganization plan when Saavedra made his announcement Tuesday.

Houston Federation of Teachers President Gayle Fallon said she is convinced the district wants to bring in outside contractors.

"They are going to contract them out to someone -- maybe for-profit, maybe nonprofit. That was clearly said. Now, they can try and re-spin it anyway they want but that is what was said (Tuesday)," Fallon told Local 2.

Saavedra said they are considering proposals from any source and hope to have one chosen by April.