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Staffing measure approved to meet needs of additional students
Trustees approved a measure to increase the district's staff as the district expects to see a notable increase in student population.
Northwest ISD's expected 2017-18 enrollment is 23,134 students, an increase of 1,112 students - or 5 percent - more than the current school year. Eaton High School's staff will increase to coincide with the addition of a senior grade level, and other new teachers and staff members will be added across the district where the greatest needs are.
Additionally, the district plans to open two new schools (Adams Middle School and Elementary School No. 18) the following academic year - 2018-19 - and will hire staff members next year to prepare for those openings (including a principal for each campus and prorated employment for office managers, counselors, librarians, nurses and extra teacher help to set up in the summer).
To remain fiscally minded, the approved option has the smallest budgetary impact of the four proposed options. Northwest ISD will apply for 26 class waivers across the district to save money. These will change the maximum student-to-teacher ratio in some third- and fourth-grade classrooms from 22:1 to 24:1.
Based on current projections, all 26 of these classrooms will have 23 students (one additional student), and no classrooms are projected to have 24 students. Other grade levels will remain unchanged.
Monthly update on facilities reveals location of Elementary No. 18
The location of Elementary School No. 18 was revealed as part of the Facilities, Planning and Construction Department's regular report, along with updates on other construction projects.
Elementary No. 18 will be located in the Harmon Ranch area, seen below in a square, one of the two recently announced elementary school sites. This school will sit on a 16-acre site and provide relief for Peterson Elementary. The school is expected to open at the start of the 2018-19 academic year.
Construction is also progressing at the Adams Middle School site, with the main foundation in the process of being developed. Adams is located near Eaton High School and Schluter Elementary School. Both Adams and Elementary No. 18 are being constructed with funds from the district's 2012 bond package.
The department remains in planning on several other projects, such as districtwide athletic improvements.
District reviews strategic plan and goals
District staff and trustees reviewed the four-year Northwest ISD strategic plan and goals, which runs from 2014 to 2018. As part of board policy, trustees periodically review these goals and plan.
The driving force behind the district's strategic plan and goals is to ensure schools are continuously improving. Northwest ISD's core beliefs as part of the plan are that kids come first, continuous improvement is essential for future success, the success of each student is a shared responsibility and environment influences learning. To review all aspects of the district's strategic plan, click here.
The strategic plan and goals will remain in place for the coming academic year.
In other action, the board
- Recognized the counseling teams at Haslet and Hughes elementary schools and Byron Nelson High School for winning the CREST award, the top professional award for public school counseling in the state.
- Recognized Principal Leigh Anne Romer, Ed.D, principal of Thompson Elementary, for receiving honors from the Billie J. Askew Reading Recovery and K-6 Institute for her work promoting literacy at early ages.
- Recognized Dr. Eric Drewery, principal of Medlin Middle School, and Dr. Ron Myers, principal of Byron Nelson High School, for both their work and the work of their staff during the recent threat incident at Byron Nelson. Also recognized were Ted Mynyk, Medlin assistant principal, and Todd Rodgers, Byron Nelson associate principal.
- Recognized CoServ as it presented a $25,000 check that will be used toward a scholarship at each Northwest ISD high school with a graduating class. The remaining amount will be used to fund innovative teaching grants. Among the campuses that will benefit from grants are Cox, Peterson and Prairie View elementary schools, Chisholm Trail and Wilson middle schools; and Northwest High School.
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