DISTRICT EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL

Minutes

January 13, 2026

Welcome

Dr. Michael Griffin, Northwest ISD Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction welcomed everyone to the third DEIC meeting of the 2025-2026 school year.

Kendra Langston, NISD District Education Improvement Council Co-Chair called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m. and welcomed everyone.

TAPR Report

Dr. Melissa Desimone, Executive Director of Research Assessment & Accountability Development presented the Northwest ISD 2024-2025 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR).  The TAPR Report is a report from TEA that compiles PIEMS and Student Assessment Data for each specific district.   Some key points can be seen below.

• Accountability Rating: Northwest ISD received an overall “B” rating as well as “Meets
• Requirements” for Special Education Determination Status. 
• TAAR Performance 
• STAAR Academic Growth
• Bilingual Education/ESL 
• NISD is higher than state average
• Highlights CCMR performance
• NISD outperformed in areas like OnRamps and post secondary classes
• Four year graduation rate continues to increase
• Drop out rate continues to decline
• Student information, Staff Information & Program Information
• Freshman class highest number registered for the school year
• PIEMS Financial Standard Report
• Accreditation Status: Accredited 

The full Texas Academic Performance Report for the 2024-2025 school year can be found on the Northwest ISD webpage.  

Staff Listening Sessions

Anthony Tosie, Executive Director of Communications announced we will be bringing back staff listening sessions for the 3rd year in a row.  Last year's listening sessions resulted in changes that included chromebook management, DAEP elementary classrooms,staff  mental health day, and decreasing paperwork (MTSS workflow, K progress reports, etc.).  The District Leadership Team will be scheduling a time on all campuses in the spring to discuss new topics affecting staff currently.  Some topics up for discussion will be what we should be advocating for to our lawmakers, day to day improvements, and the potential for additional district wide committees that would help steer district input.  Once all campus meetings are complete, the district leadership team will then review all data collected and make changes based on input received.  
Limited Open Enrollment 

Anthony Tosie announced the District will be participating in Limited Open Enrollment starting February 1st.  This will be a planned program to allow a set number of students who live outside of Northwest ISD boundaries to enroll at specific open campuses within the district.  These schools would be chosen based solely on available capacity.  Seats will be limited and a cap will be set for each campus open to leave capacity for students who may move into a schools attendance zone.  While Northwest ISD is a fast-growth school district, some schools are in areas with declining or stagnant enrollment. Without Limited Open Enrollment, Northwest ISD would have to consider more frequent rezoning, potentially moving students to schools further from home, or closing schools entirely. Many North Texas Districts already offer open enrollment in some capacity.  The program will require review of students current academics, attendance, behavior and living location.  An application fee will be charged and transportation will not be included.  The Application period will run February 1, 2026 through March 1, 2026.  The district will notify families by April 1 of approval.  A full list of open campuses that will be participating in Limited Open Enrollment are listed on the Northwest ISD website.  

Budget Timeline Update 

Jonathan Pastusek, Chief Financial Officer for Northwest ISD gave a brief budget timeline update.  District Leadership will start working with all departments and campuses on budget needs for the 2026-2027 school year.  We should receive our preliminary tax values from the local appraisal districts in April allowing time in April, May, and June for budget workshops with the goal of final amendment adoption at the June 22, 2026 Board Meeting.  

Instructional Calendars

Dr. Stephanie Espinosa, Executive Director for Teaching and Learning presented the instructional calendars for 2026-2028 school years. The committee carefully covered all state requirements and other considerations that include holiday breaks, testing dates, and surrounding district calendars.  The DEIC is asked to vote every other year on new calendars before it is officially adopted by the Board of Trustees.  All voting DEIC members voted in favor of the new instructional calendars proposed, no members opposed the calendars presented.  

Dr. Griffin opened the floor for questions.  

Cody Drake, NISD District Education Improvement Council Co-Chair thanked everyone for their participation and concluded the meeting at 4:57 p.m.