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We reviewed the upcoming agenda for NORTHSIDE ISD and found 6 items with policy significance ahead of the vote.
| PRIORITY (LEVEL 9) |
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Board Approves Placing $886M Bond and Tax Rate Election on Ballot
In its August 11 meeting, the board approved placing an $886.2M bond and a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The VATRE is projected to generate $46 million in new revenue, and the board also approved a total tax rate that represents a 1.13% effective increase.
Policy Use
DOCUMENT AND BRIEF: The board’s August 11 actions finalized the language for a major bond and tax increase for the November ballot. Document the amounts and tax impact for state policy staff tracking local fiscal issues in Texas.
Policy Lever: $886M Bond and Tax Increase
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| PRIORITY (LEVEL 9) |
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District Confirms $51.7M Deficit and Use of Reserves
In its August 25 meeting, the board approved a final budget amendment for FY 2025-2026 showing a combined deficit of over $51.7 million across its General, Child Nutrition, and Debt Service funds. To cover the General Fund deficit of $42.7 million, the board also approved a resolution to draw down its ‘Instructional Continuity’ fund balance.
Policy Use
DOCUMENT AND BRIEF: The board’s August 25 approval of the budget amendment (Item 6.A) and fund balance resolution (Item 6.B) confirms a major structural deficit. Add this district to the state fiscal tracker as an example of unsustainable spending and reserve depletion.
Policy Lever: $51.7M Deficit Spending
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| PRIORITY (LEVEL 7) |
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Second Reading of Wellness and Health Services Policy
The board is holding a second and likely final reading of policy FFAC(LOCAL). In Texas, this policy code typically governs student wellness and health services, which can include parental notification and consent for medical services, counseling, and instruction on human sexuality.
Policy Use
PULL THE DOCUMENT: Retrieve the ‘FFAC(LOCAL).pdf’ attachment for Consent Agenda Item 6.J from the official agenda link immediately. Analyze the text for changes to parental notification, consent requirements, or health services provisions before the final vote.
Policy Lever: Parental Notification and Consent
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| PRIORITY (LEVEL 7) |
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Board to Approve Monthly Library Book List
The board will approve a list of new library books under its consent agenda. The specific titles are in an attachment not provided in the agenda packet, directly impacting materials available to students and representing a key area for parental oversight.
Policy Use
PULL THE DOCUMENT: Retrieve the ‘2026 September Board List.pdf’ attachment for Consent Agenda Item 6.I from the official agenda link to review titles for contested content before the vote.
Policy Lever: Library Material Curation
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| WATCH (LEVEL 6) |
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Board to Approve Pre-K Partnership Waiver
The board will vote on a ‘Pre-K Partnership Waiver’ as part of its consent agenda. The nature of the waiver and the identity of the partner(s) are not specified, but this could relate to partnerships with private providers, potentially impacting school choice and public funding streams.
Policy Use
PULL THE DOCUMENT: Retrieve the ‘2. Pre-K Partnership Waiver.PDF’ attachment for Consent Agenda Item 6.H from the official agenda link. Determine the terms of the waiver and the partner entity involved.
Policy Lever: Public-Private Partnership
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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District-Wide ‘Decision of Respect’ Anti-Bullying Initiative
The district is promoting a ‘Decision of Respect’ initiative as part of its anti-bullying program. The Counseling Department has equipped counselors with training and lessons for classroom presentations to promote a ‘safe, respectful, and healthy school climate,’ language often associated with Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks.
Policy Use
WATCH: The ‘Decision of Respect’ program described in Item 3.G uses language common to SEL frameworks. Request the training materials and classroom lessons provided to counselors to determine the underlying ideological framework.
Policy Lever: SEL-aligned curriculum
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