Northwest students worried about future after shortfall forces cut to college prep program
Sophia Brumley is thriving in a college prep program for students who are the first in their families to attend college.
Sophia has learning differences, and when she learned that the AVID program at Northwest High School is being cut because of a $16 million budget shortfall in the fast-growing Northwest district, she brought her concerns to the school board Feb. 10.
“I came from home schooling. I didn’t know how to take notes. I didn’t have any friends,” she said.
Sophia, 15, wants to attend Tarelton State when she graduates but said she is worried about how the loss of the AVID program will affect her education.
Brumley and her mother Jill were among three speakers during the meeting.
District officials say they are just as concerned as the students about the effects of the shortfall, which means making difficult decisions, including cutting 101 teachers through attrition, early retirement and resignations.
Some student programs such as AVID will be eliminated, and the district is considering eliminating middle school field trips
Superintendent Mark Foust said in an interview that although Northwest is a “fast growth” district which is bringing in revenue as more students enroll, it is not enough to offset inflation and the state’s failure to increase the basic allotment per student as there hasn’t been an increase since 2019.
The lack of funding has compounded financial challenges stemming from inflation and the end of federal COVID funding.
“I would argue that there are those in our state government that prefer a free market system for education, and they are attempting to dismantle public education,” he said.
Foust said he continues to meet with legislators and will go to Austin this month and in March.
Board president Steve Sprowls, who was not at the meeting because of training for his work as a pilot for Southwest Airlines, took to Facebook to apologize for the effects the cuts will have on the school district and to criticize legislators for failing districts throughout the state.
“We don’t play politics in NISD when it comes to our kiddos,” Sprowls wrote. He said legislators and Gov. Greg Abbott “played politics with funding public education, held hostage any increase that was approved, and left ISDs across the state struggling.”
Sprowls also described how the state did not provide funding to keep pace with inflation, which increased by 23% for insurance, equipment and other costs.
“They’re more worried about the private school voucher/tuition coupon/entitlement scam,” he said.
Jonathan Pastusek, the district’s chief financial officer, told trustees that approximately $13 million in cuts will come from payroll while the rest will be made through looking at cutting field trips, reducing athletic staff and “low enrollment” programs.
The district is also looking at open enrollment and increasing rent for facilities.
Northwest is also exploring calling another voter approved tax rate election, or VATRE, after voters rejected a proposal in November to increase the tax rate by 3 cents to offset the $16 million shortfall. The increase would have cost the owner of a $500,000 home $120 per year.
The families who spoke during the meeting said they would organize fundraisers and do whatever it takes to keep the AVID program in the district.
Jill Brumley said in an interview that the AVID program turned her daughter’s life around.
“The seeds have been planted, and I don’t want to see her struggle,” Brumley said of her daughter’s progress.
“She’s in a good place. Her light is so bright. To take something from a kid in special education that helped her be successful is devastating.”
Jill Brumley said her daughter’s grades improved since she enrolled in AVID, and now, she is making A’s and B’s.
McKenzie Walker, another student in the AVID program, said, “It’s definitely sad, and it will definitely help support us in our future,” she said.
Walker, 16, said she hopes that speaking to the school trustees had an impact.
This story was originally published February 11, 2025 at 10:06 AM.