Northwest’s $1.995B bond accommodates 8,400 new students

GROWING DISTRICT — Northwest has proposed a nearly $2 billion bond package to address rapid student growth in the district. 
AUSTIN JACKSON/WCMESSENGER

Wise County Messenger
By Austin Jackson |
April 20, 2023

Northwest ISD voters will consider a bond package totaling nearly $2 billion in the May 6 election.

The Northwest school board called for the bond election to address rapid growth in February. Among the projects addressed in the $1.995 billion bond package is building eight schools and four early childhood centers, including a replacement elementary school for Prairie View Elementary in Rhome.

The facility expansion would make room for 8,400 additional students. Due to the district’s exponential growth, if all propositions pass, Northwest ISD’s tax rate would increase by one-tenth of a penny. The district estimates the average home’s tax bill would increase by around $5 annually with the change.

Projects in Proposition A ($1.672 billion) include building new schools, expansions, facility upgrades and other improvements. The bond issue would fund the construction of eight schools, including a new high school in Fort Worth, a new middle school and four new elementary schools. Prairie View Elementary opened in 1998, and has limitations in terms of capacity and infrastructure, according to the district. The new campus would open by the 2026-27 school year with capacity for 850 students. The campus would be constructed on the existing site, with the entrance off Chisholm Creek Parkway in an effort to reduce traffic on Farm Road 3433. The existing campus would be converted into an early childhood center. The construction of the district’s fourth high school has been proposed to alleviate overcrowding at Northwest High School, Byron Nelson High School and Eaton High School.

Proposition B ($301 million) would include any stadium work for a facility that has 1,000 or more spectator seats. It includes building home stadiums for Byron Nelson High School. Eaton High School and the proposed fourth high school. 

Proposition C ($21.7 million) includes technology devices for teachers and students to continue the district’s current technology device standards.

Northwest ISD’s current total tax rate is $1.2747. If passed, the district’s debt service rate would increase from 42 cents per $100 valuation to 42.1 cents.