DISTRICT EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL

Minutes

September 9, 2025

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

Cody Drake, NISD District Education Improvement Council Co-Chair called the meeting to order at 4:16 p.m. and welcomed everyone.

Kendra Langston from Steele Early College High School volunteered to serve as co-chair of the committee for the 2025-2026 school year.  All committee members in attendance voted in her favor.

Superintendent Update 

Dr. Mark Foust, NISD Superintendent of Schools welcomed everyone to the new NISD administration building.  He presented an introduction of the NISD Board of Trustees and Executive Directors.  NISD is projected to reach 33,196 students by October 25th this year and could potentially reach 46,319 students by 2034. NISD is opening 3 new schools next year, Hicks Early Childhood Center, Romer Elementary and Barksdale Middle School.  The district has announced it will be going out for another VATRE in the November election.  NISD was able to clear a $16 million budget deficit through budget cuts to enter the 2025-2026 school year with a balanced budget.  By asking our community for the “3 golden pennies” in the Voter Approved Tax Rate Election, NISD is confident that we would be able to recoup around $12 million back in the operating budget.  In return we can reduce class sizes and reinstate some programming cut last year.   Dr. Foust urged the committee to communicate the facts and promote a culture of voting.

Training of Members

Dr. Griffin explained the purpose, duties, and requirements of the District Education Improvement Council (DEIC).  Then reviewed proposed meeting dates throughout the year.  The committee will meet via zoom in October, January, and March.  Then we will meet again in person for our final meeting of the year in May. 

District Improvement Plan Development 

Dr. Griffin gave a description on what Northwest ISD’s District Improvement Plan is and its requirements.  Each year we are required to develop a DIP at the district and campus level.  The NISD District Improvement Plan includes a combination of our core beliefs, vision, mission, and strategic goals and priorities.  NISD adopted our current Strategic Goals in 2023 and it will go through 2028.  At that time we will make changes to reflect the current environment and needs of the district.  Dr. Griffin went over Strategic Goal 1, to provide personalized learning experience and cultivate growth in every student. As well as Strategic Goal 3, NISD will foster a safe environment for all. While Kim Barker, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources covered Strategic Goal 2, to recruit , value, and retain highly effective staff.   Dr. Griffin provided the committee with the strategic planning schedule with dates, description and responsibilities in regards to our DIP planning and development.  As part of the DEIC committee we asked for the committee approval of the district's DIP before presenting it to the Board of Trustees. Dr. Griffin will be sending all voting committee members an in depth electronic version of the District improvement Plan and ask for a vote to approve or disapprove by Wednesday, September 17, 2025.  The 2025-2026 DIP will then be presented to the Board for final approval on September 22, 2025.

Class Size Waivers

Kim Barker, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources presented to the committee the need for class size waivers and asked for a vote of approval.  The Texas Education Code class size limits and waivers must be requested from the Texas Education Agency for any class that exceeds the limit.  Our current staffing matrix consists of 24:1 for 2nd grade through 4th grade.  That exceeds the TEA class limit of 22:1 for PreK through 4th grade, therefore we need the class size waivers.  Cody Drake, Co-Chair of DEIC raised the vote to the committee.  All present committee members voted in favor of the class size waivers, no one opposed.  

Student Handbook & Code of Conduct

Melissa Webber, Director of Student Services presented current changes to the Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook.  Many of these changes stem from the 89th Legislative Session.  Some of these changes included House Bill 6 regarding changes to Chapter 37, including suspension, DAEP Placements and virtual expulsion.  House Bill 1481 was enforced, prohibiting students from using personal communication devices on school property.  Each campus must designate a single person to serve as a campus behavior coordinator (CBC) to monitor disciplinary referrals and report campus threat assessments. Other changes and additions to the Student of Conduct include but are not limited to the addition of Antisemitism, misuse of technology resources, e-cigarette offense, teacher removal of a student, and  elementary DAEP placement.

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 5:22 p.m.