
Northwest ISD to eliminate 101 teaching positions, increase class sizes to close $16M shortfall
Jonathan Pastusek, Northwest ISD’s chief financial officer, recently likened his district’s current financial predicament to moving “big rocks.” Those big rocks include staffing adjustments, program efficiencies and budget reductions aimed at closing a $16 million budget shortfall for the 2025-26 school year. In November, district residents rejected an increased tax rate that would have raised enough revenue to cover the deficit. The analogy — shared by Pastusek during the district’s most recent budget workshop Jan. 23 — underscored the weight of decisions ahead, he said. During the meeting, trustees unanimously agreed to increase class sizes for next school year throughout elementary, middle and high school campuses. In doing so, 101 teaching positions across the district will be eliminated by the 2025-26 school year — though district officials do not expect to lay off any existing teachers. The district, which calls itself the fastest-growing in North Texas, serves 34,000 students in Tarrant, Denton and Wise counties. “This is really challenging,” Superintendent Mark Foust said. “It’s people’s lives — our people’s lives that are involved. It affects our kids, and that’s our first concern. Right after that is how it affects the people on our team.”The district’s budget prioritization revolves around three core objectives, Pastusek said: Safeguarding the reserves.
Protecting student programs.
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