The proposal comes as public school teachers in Texas are leaving the profession in droves and many districts are trying to make up budget shortfalls.

The Texas Senate Education Committee is set to hear comments on a bill that would increase teacher pay. The bill would create an evaluation system that would increase pay based on merit. The bill includes extra incentives for teachers in high-needs and rural areas.

Conroe, comes as Texas educators have left the teaching profession in droves and the state has increased its reliance on instructors who lack formal classroom training. Gov. Greg Abbott declared teacher pay an “emergency item” earlier this month,