Northwest ISD Voters Approve Funding Increase for Schools
Northwest Independent School District (Northwest ISD) voters approved a 3-cent increase to the maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate on November 4th, providing a boost to the district’s operating budget. While a majority of Wise County voters (61.82%) opposed the measure, overall support across the district reached 51.87%.
The tax rate increase will raise the M&O rate to 66.31 cents per $100 of taxable property value and is projected to generate an additional $12 million in funding. District officials have earmarked $8 million of this funding for reducing class sizes and supporting student programs, and $4 million for teacher and staff raises.
Northwest ISD plans to utilize the increased funding in the following ways:
* Immediate Hiring: Focus on filling critical staffing needs for the current school year, notably in special education.
* Reduced Class Sizes: Implementation of smaller class sizes beginning with the next school year,with job postings to begin this spring.
* Annual Raises: Continued commitment to annual staff raises, a practice the district has maintained for over a decade. Pay increases will be persistent based on projected enrollment figures.
* Custodial Service Review: Analysis of custodial service costs to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
“We are incredibly appreciative to have a community in Northwest ISD that values high-quality education by supporting our students and teachers,” said Superintendent Dr. Mark Foust. “This new funding will support our schools while ensuring Northwest ISD retains one of the lowest tax rates in the area.”
despite the tax rate increase, the district anticipates most property owners will see a decrease in their annual tax bill compared to 2024. Specifically, homeowners with a $500,000 assessed home value and a homestead exemption (increasing to $140,000 with the passage of Proposition 13) are projected to see a $448 decrease on their annual tax bill. This projection was initially made in August and remains consistent.
