Tricia Lutkenhaus named principal of Barksdale Middle School

Tricia Lutkenhaus

Northwest ISD has named Tricia Lutkenhaus, current principal of Gene Pike Middle School, as the inaugural principal of Floyd Barksdale Middle School, placing a veteran leader in charge of the new campus in advance of its August 2026 opening.

Mrs. Lutkenhaus has served as principal of Pike Middle School for the past four years, a tenure that includes opening the school’s new building this academic year. She brings 25 years of career experience in public education, having served families in Northwest ISD as a teacher, assistant principal and principal.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Lutkenhaus has earned accolades for her leadership and commitment to high academic standards. She received the 2022 Outstanding Principal award from the Texas Secondary School Principals, and the Texas Music Educators Association named her a Distinguished Administrator for the 2024-2025 school year. She is currently a member of the Principals’ Institute. As a teacher, she was named Pike Middle School’s Exemplar Educator in 2017.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to open Barksdale Middle School and collaborate with our inaugural teachers and staff to set the culture and standard of excellence at a new school in Northwest ISD,” Principal Lutkenhaus said. “As both a longtime staff member of Pike Middle School and a parent of students who attended the school, leaving the campus is a bittersweet moment. I look forward to collaborating with its future leader for a smooth transition.”

Barksdale Middle School will reside in Northlake, next to the Pecan Square master-planned community. Its name honors Floyd Barksdale, a community member who was active in youth sports across the district and served on the Northwest ISD Board of Trustees. A rezoning process to set boundaries for the school will begin this winter.

Though she will begin planning activities for Barksdale Middle School immediately, Mrs. Lutkenhaus will continue to serve as the principal of Pike for the remainder of the school year. Following the conclusion of the school year, Mrs. Lutkenhaus will begin assembling the staff of Barksdale Middle School and working with the district’s various departments to coordinate the opening of the school.

Mrs. Lutkenhaus earned her master’s degree in education administration from Lamar University and her bachelor’s degree in science from the University of North Texas.