2025 Operations Funding Election (Proposition A)

What is the ballot language?

Voters will have the option to vote "for" (in favor of approving) or "against" (against approving) the operatons funding election. The ballot language for that vote is as follows:

Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $1.0841 per $100 valuation in Northwest Independent School District for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 5.67 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the district for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional $14,324,215.

Please be aware that nowhere in the ballot language does the measure mention the 3-cent increase in the maintenance and operations tax rate. Additionally, the $1.0841 references the total tax rate, not the proposed increase (which is 3 cents). The ballot language is written as required by the state.

How would class sizes decrease?

If approved by voters, Northwest ISD plans to use $8 million in funding to hire additional teachers to decrease class sizes in strategic areas. At the elementary level, second through fourth grades would see a reduction in students per class, as lower grades were unaffected by recent staffing changes. At the secondary level, the district will hire teachers in core areas where many classes exceed 37 students in high schools and 37 students in middle schools.

How does this affect my student?

School districts across the state have begun increasing class sizes, reducing staff and eliminating programs because of a lack of funding. Because of prudent financial management and sustained growth, Northwest ISD was able to delay these actions, though the district implemented increased class sizes for 2025-2026 following the failure of the 2024 operations funding election and a lack of state funding for operations.

If approved by voters, the majority of funding from Proposition A will be used to decrease class sizes across all campus levels as well as in fine arts programs.

How does this affect teachers and staff?

Northwest ISD wants to retain and recruit the highest-quality teachers, and a major factor in keeping and recruiting staff in any industry is compensation. This June, the district's school board approved pay raises for all staff. In 2024, the board approved 2% midpoint pay raises for all staff and increases to veteran teacher pay to continue showing value to our teachers and staff.

With at least $4 million of Proposition A allocated for competitive compensation, Northwest ISD would continue to provide teacher and staff raises. If Northwest ISD can continue to exceed the typical regional and state pay, it can continue to retain and attract the best teachers and show our teachers and staff we value them.

Does Northwest ISD use tax dollars wisely?

Northwest ISD has received an "A" rating, the top score possible, in the Texas Education Agency's Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, or FIRST, for 23 consecutive years. By comparison, some school districts in the area have received a "C" rating. Additionally, Northwest ISD has earned the Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations from the Texas Association of School Business Officials, and the Government Finance Officers Association has awarded Northwest ISD both the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

What would this mean for my taxes?

Any property owner who lives within Northwest ISD boundaries would pay 3 cents more per $100 of property valuation compared to if the election is not approved. Because of continued tax rate compression, however, the property tax rate will be lower in 2025 than in 2024 regardless of the outcome of the election. Combined with a $40,000 increase to the homestead exemption, most property owners are expected to pay less in taxes in 2025 compared to 2024.

The proposed 2025-2026 maintenance and operations tax rate for Northwest ISD is $0.6331. If voters within Northwest ISD approve the 2025 operations funding election, the tax rate would instead be $0.6631.

Would this affect homeowners ages 65 and older?

Homeowners ages 65 and older would not be affected if voters approve Northwest ISD's operations funding election if they have filed for and received an Over 65 Homestead Exemption through their local appraisal district. School property taxes are frozen for individuals with this exemption. Learn more about this exemption on the state comptroller website.

What about federal funds districts received during the pandemic?

As with school districts across the nation, Northwest ISD received three series of one-time payments from the federal government in the form of ESSER funding. These funds existed in a finite timeframe and are no longer provided; all funds are legally required to be used by September 2024. Districts received varying monetary amounts of ESSER funding based on their socioeconomic demographics. Northwest ISD received about $12 million in ESSER funding over the course of three rounds. Northwest ISD planned for the "fiscal cliff" resulting from these funds ceasing after their initial allotment by creating a plan to transition any new staff to the general fund. These positions were budgeted for years in advance, and as Northwest ISD received additional funds from increased student enrollment, these positions were scheduled into staffing and budget planning for future years.

How does Northwest ISD's tax rate compare to other fast-growth districts?

Northwest ISD is tied for the lowest maintenance and operations tax rate among districts that are part of the Fast Growth School Coalition. Both Northwest ISD's M&O tax rate as well as its total tax rate rank below both the mean and median of all fast-growth Texas school districts. To see a list of fast-growth Texas school district tax rates, view this document.

How does Northwest ISD staffing compare to similar districts?

Northwest ISD staffing prioritizes classroom needs above all else. According to the most recent Texas Academic Performance Reports, teachers account for 59.6% of Northwest ISD's total staffing compared to the state average of 48.7%. This also exceeds area school districts such as Lewisville ISD (58.1%), Keller ISD (56.9%), Carroll ISD (56%), Denton ISD (54.9%), Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD (53.4%) and Fort Worth ISD (49.5%).