Northwest ISD expects to cut positions, increase class sizes to offset $16M shortfall
The Northwest school district is considering cutting 101 positions and increasing class sizes after voters in November rejected a tax increase that would have offset a $16 million budget shortfall.
Before the Nov. 5 election, Superintendent Mark Foust said the school district had adopted a budget with a $15.8 million deficit despite “rampant inflation and inaction from the state Legislature over the past six years to address public school funding.” Foust also said that school districts throughout the state have cut positions and eliminated student programs to balance their budgets.
Voters turned down the proposition to increase the maintenance and operations portion of the tax rate by 3 cents 55.47%against and 44.16% in favor, which led to a $16 million budget shortfall. The increase would have cost the owner of a $500,000 home $120 per year.
The fast-growing school district with around 34,000 students is looking at increased class sizes and teacher position cuts.
Making matters worse for Northwest and other school districts, the state did not increase the basic funding allotment per student.
“As with school districts across the state, Northwest ISD is facing ongoing challenges from the Texas School Funding Crisis,” a statement from the district reads. “State leaders have not increased the base per-student funding in six years, which is used to balance salaries, class sizes and student programs.”
The district also said that as the state continues to withhold funding, school districts will have to make “challenging but necessary” adjustments to provide the same services to students and their families.
The school board will meet Feb. 10, and on Tuesday, Feb. 11, the district will provide updated information to families concerning the budget cuts.
Northwest expects the staffing cuts will come from retirements and resignations rather than layoffs.
The budget for 2024-25 is $337 million. Besides staff cuts and increased class sizes, Northwest is looking at reducing costs in other areas such as services and supplies.
This story was originally published February 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM.