Fort Worth Independent School District Packet Summary — 2026-08-11
Fort Worth ISD’s August 11, 2026 regular Board meeting packet includes a public hearing on state compensatory education, major debt and tax-rate items, an estimated $8.9 million Chapter 49 attendance-credit agreement, policy revisions, capital-project actions, technology purchases, and school-security items. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m., with open session reconvening at 6:00 p.m.
Key Items on the Agenda
State Compensatory Education Public Hearing
The Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Fort Worth ISD’s 2024–2025 State Compensatory Education Report. State Compensatory Education funding supplements the regular education program for students identified as at risk of dropping out and students who are educationally disadvantaged, with the stated purpose of increasing academic achievement and reducing the dropout rate.
Programs funded during 2024–2025 included:
- Academic support programs
- After-school programs
- Intervention services
- Restorative practices
- Student engagement and student completion efforts
- Summer school
The packet says Fort Worth ISD will collect public input during the Board meeting. Additional feedback may be submitted to the district through August 21, 2026.
Chapter 49 Attendance-Credit Agreement — Estimated $8.9 Million
The Board is scheduled to consider an agreement to purchase attendance credit under Chapter 49, commonly associated with excess local revenue or recapture. The Texas Education Agency notified Fort Worth ISD on July 15, 2026 that its local revenue level exceeds entitlement for the 2026–2027 school year.
Staff recommends approving the Option 3 Agreement for the Purchase of Attendance Credit and delegating contractual authority to the superintendent for this purpose. The packet lists the financial impact as a TEA estimate of $8.9 million.
TEA requires specific language in the Board minutes to delegate this authority and submit the agreement electronically. The delegation would apply to the district’s obligations under the applicable provisions of Texas Education Code Chapters 48 and 49.
Up to $123.53 Million in Refunding Bonds
The Board is scheduled to consider authorizing up to $123,530,000 in Fort Worth Independent School District Unlimited Tax Refunding Bonds, Series 2026. The proposed transaction would refinance eligible existing debt if market conditions produce meaningful savings for district taxpayers.
Certain outstanding bonds can be redeemed beginning February 15, 2027, and the packet says a tax-exempt refinancing could be implemented as early as November 18, 2026. The proposal would not extend the original bonds’ repayment period.
The proposed order would also delegate specified aspects of the bond sale and issuance to authorized district officials within defined parameters.
Interest and Sinking Tax Rate and Debt Capacity
Materials accompanying the refunding proposal compare a calculated minimum 2026 debt-service tax rate of $0.2367 per $100 of valuation with a target Interest and Sinking Fund rate of $0.2422 per $100, which the packet describes as unchanged from the current I&S rate.
Using the packet’s estimates:
- The minimum rate would generate an estimated $125,337,594 I&S levy.
- The proposed $0.2422 rate would generate an estimated $128,262,016.
- The estimated difference is $2,924,422.
The materials state that maintaining the target rate is intended to preserve capacity for remaining voter-authorized debt, support future capital needs, and provide flexibility for debt management. Under the cited statutory provisions, approving an I&S rate above the calculated minimum requires approval from at least 60% of the governing body.
Major Consent Agenda Items
The consent agenda is structured for approval by a single motion unless an item is removed for separate consideration.
Investments and Tax Administration
The Board is scheduled to consider:
- Appointing a designated officer to calculate the district’s No-New Revenue Tax Rate and Voter-Approval Tax Rate. The proposed designation would remain effective until the Board changes the appointment.
- Accepting the Quarterly Investment Report for April 1–June 30, 2026.
- Accepting the Annual Investment Report for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026.
A separate action item asks the Board to complete its annual review of district investment policies and strategies.
Instructional Solutions and Support
The consent agenda includes a proposed 2026–2027 Instructional Solutions and Support contract with Education Service Center Region 11. The package includes access and support for services such as Canvas, TexQuest, Discovery Education, professional learning, technical assistance, assessment and accountability, federal and state programs, and curriculum and instruction.
Packet materials list a fair market value of $3,674,210.04 and a 2026–2027 total of $557,553.85. The contract runs from September 1 through August 31.
Capital Projects and Facilities
Several consent items concern district facilities and the 2021 Capital Improvement Program:
- Worth Heights: Authorization to negotiate with a construction manager at risk for guaranteed-maximum-price amendment(s) for construction services associated with the Elementary School #3 Replacement at Worth Heights Site Project.
- Daggett Middle School: Additional spending authority for job-order-contract hazardous-material abatement services.
- District safety fencing: A contingency amount in addition to the previously approved amount for installation of safety fencing at district campuses.
- O.D. Wyatt property: A sidewalk easement agreement with the City of Fort Worth involving property at 2400 East Seminary Drive and 5101 Jewell Kelly Drive. City materials include a total compensation offer of $4,334 for permanent pedestrian easements.
Technology Services
The Board is also scheduled to consider purchasing and authorizing a contract for cloud technology services and the use of technology-operation credits. Supporting materials identify components involving disaster recovery and response, Microsoft Fabric and Power BI/Azure credits, and support and managed disaster-recovery audit exercises.
Policy and Governance Items
Conflict-of-Interest Policy
An action item proposes revisions to Board Policy BBFA(LOCAL): Ethics — Conflict of Interest Disclosures. The packet places the revisions on the action agenda for separate Board consideration rather than on the consent agenda.
Sale, Lease, or Exchange of District Property
The Board is also scheduled to consider revisions to Board Policy CDB(LOCAL): Other Revenues — Sale, Lease, or Exchange of School-Owned Property.
Board Audit Committee
A separate action item asks the Board to consider appointments to the Board Audit Committee.
Certified Staff Contract Abandonment
The agenda includes an action item concerning the reporting of certain certified staff to the Texas Education Agency for contract abandonment. A related matter is also listed for closed-session consultation before the Board reconvenes in open session.
School Safety and Security
The consent agenda includes renewal of the district’s Good Cause Exception for the armed security officer requirement.
The Board is also scheduled to consider a 2026–2027 memorandum of understanding with the City of Benbrook for school security services. In closed session, the agenda separately lists the district’s 2023–2026 triennial safety and security audit survey.
What to Watch at the Meeting
The most consequential financial decisions are likely to center on the $8.9 million estimated Chapter 49 attendance-credit obligation, authorization of up to $123.53 million in refunding bonds, and the proposed $0.2422 I&S tax rate. The packet frames the bond refinancing as conditional on favorable market conditions and meaningful taxpayer savings rather than as a completed transaction.
The meeting also provides a formal opportunity for community input on the 2024–2025 State Compensatory Education Report, while policy revisions, capital-project authorizations, school-security measures, technology services, and certified-staff reporting are scheduled for Board consideration.
