NISD Board Sets Legislative Priorities for Legislative Session

With the 89th Legislative session starting on Jan. 14, Northside ISD won’t be on the sidelines as bills unfold. Instead, they’ll be meeting with the District’s elected state officials to express support for legislation that will benefit students, taxpayers, and teachers.

“We want to advocate for legislation that provides a long-term solution to school finance that provides districts with flexibility to address its diverse needs,” Board President Bobby Blount said.

This year, the Board of Trustees established 13 “legislative priorities” in four critical areas: funding, school safety, accountability, and teacher recruitment and retention.

In regards to Legislative Priorities, Northside ISD believes in:

• Funding public schools and providing their employees’ wages that support basic living expenses and benefits that reflect current-day economic pressures and professional credentials;
• School safety that protects the whole child with sufficient financial support to cover physical and mental safety measures;
• An accountability system that tells the comprehensive story of public schools;
• Teacher retention and recruitment programs that recognize the growing vacancy crisis across the State of Texas.

Northside is Bexar County’s largest school district, representing almost 100,000 students, more than 11,000 employees, and more than 250,000 registered voters.

“We’re obligated to work with our state representatives and senators to make sure our taxpayers, students, and employees have a voice at the Capitol during this legislative session,” Superintendent Dr. John Craft said.

Dr. Craft also encourages NISD residents, taxpayers, parents, and employees to contact their elected state representatives and state senators and ask them to support legislation that benefits students.  

Watch this video message from Superintendent Craft as he shares insights on the Legislative Priorities.