Northwest, HEB ISDs seek 3-cent tax rate boost to keep teacher pay, class sizes steady

Two Fort Worth-area districts will ask voters this fall to approve a 3-cent bump to their property tax rates.

Northwest and Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISDs are making different pitches with a similar goal: Keep class sizes manageable and staff paid competitively, without raising most homeowners’ overall tax bills compared with last year.

Early voting runs Oct. 20 to Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 4.

The proposals would increase the two districts’ maintenance-and-operations rate — the portion of the tax that funds day-to-day operations such as salaries, classroom supplies and utilities.

Northwest ISD’s tax rate measure would generate at least $12 million, officials said. About $8 million would reduce class sizes and restore funding for positions cut last school year and $4 million would hel