Northwest ISD board adopts 2026–27 budget after public hearing on proposed tax rate

The Northwest ISD Board of Trustees on June 22 adopted the district’s fiscal 2026–27 budget following a statutorily required public meeting on the proposed tax rate.

An administration presenter reviewed the district’s truth‑in‑taxation notice, saying the maintenance tax rate would be 64.92 cents per $100 of taxable value and the debt service rate 42.10 cents. The presenter emphasized the numbers are preliminary pending certified values in July and noted more than 15,000 property‑value protests remained pending as of April, which could lower the district’s preliminary $64 billion appraisal estimate.

The presentation showed projected taxable value rising from about $40 billion to $48 billion after exemptions, and said the average homeowner’s preliminary tax bill would fall by about $429 under the draft figures (from $4,373 to $3,944). The administration also walked trustees through the district’s “rate to maintain” calculation — the theoretical tax rate that would preserve last year’s operations revenue given property‑value changes — and described key budget assumptions, including a 5% property‑value projection, enrollment growth of about 411 students, 95% attendance, and 98% tax collections.

Administration officials summarized $23.6 million of new spending in the proposed budget, including funding to restore staffing ratios to commitments made during the district’s recent voter measure campaign, additions for special programs (bilingual and special education), compensation adjustments and market pay grade changes, increased stipends, an expanded employee insurance plan and additional custodial and utilities funding for new campuses.

Board member Mr. Schlutoter questioned table values showing state revenue per student falling sharply year‑over‑year; the presenter explained that timing and one‑time teacher retention allotments can make state per‑student figures fluctuate and reiterated the preliminary nature of the projections.

After discussion, Dr. Roush moved to approve the budget “as recommended by the administration,” and Mrs. Hatfield seconded. The board approved the adoption on a voice vote recorded in the meeting as six in favor, one absent.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Adopt 2026–27 budget as recommended by administration; mover: Dr. Roush; second: Mrs. Hatfield; outcome: approved; tally: yes 6, absent 1. - Consent agenda approval noted earlier: approved (6–0, one absent).

Why it matters The budget restores several staffing commitments tied to the recent voter‑approved measure and includes district priorities such as reducing elementary ratios in targeted grades, funding special‑program staffing increases and implementing pay adjustments. Because the tax rate presented was based on preliminary appraisal values, the administration noted that final adoption of any tax rate tied to certified values will occur after July’s certification and the district’s August meeting.

What’s next Administration will update the board after certified property values are received in July; the district will finalize tax‑rate calculations and complete any required public notices before the August budget adoption adjustments.