District overview
Newton ISD
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How is Newton ISD paid for, and who runs it?
Newton ISD serves about 900 students at an elementary, a middle and a high school in Newton, in Deep East Texas. A seven-member board of trustees, elected by position to three-year terms in May elections, meets on the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. Michelle Barrow is the superintendent. For 2026-27, the board set a tax rate of $1.134804 per $100 of value, of which $0.379904 pays off debt.
Enrollment
893 students in August and September 2026, down from 950 in February and 942 at the end of 2025-26.
Property values
The county appraiser reported in August 2026 that certified values fell because mineral values dropped, and expects the trend to continue.
Deficits
In August 2026, the board amended the budget to allow larger deficits at the end of the year.
Building projects
Bond funds will pay to demolish the old administration building and auditorium.
The posted minutes list votes but rarely include budget totals, so dollar amounts for the 2026-27 budget are not available here.
Where the district stands
Major projects
Demolition of the old administration building and auditorium
Bid approved June 2026SETEX was chosen for the demolition in May 2026, and the bid was approved in June using bond funds.
- Contractor chosen
- Demolition bid approved
Funding
Bond funds
The bid amount is not in the minutes.
County community safe room (FEMA/TDEM grant)
District withdrew September 2026The board agreed 3-2 in October 2025 to provide matching funds, signed an agreement with the county in May 2026, and ended it in September 2026.
- Match approved, 3-2
- Agreement with county
- Agreement ended
Funding
FEMA/TDEM grant with local match
The match amount is not stated.
Recent news
We reviewed every combined agenda, board briefs and minutes PDF posted for meetings from October 2025 to October 2026, plus the 2026 election documents on the board notice page.
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