School districts across North Texas compete for a limited pool of teachers and staff, and Denton ISD is no exception. On the first day of school, DISD had 80 open teaching positions and seven bus routes without a driver.

The district has made budget cuts where it can, but 78.6% of the budget is earmarked for salaries of teachers and support staff, and without a rate increase, additional cuts could be made. 

During the 2024–25 and 2025–26 school years, Denton ISD reduced 249 positions through attrition and staff reductions, totaling approximately $14 million.

Fewer positions can lead to larger class sizes. Denton ISD class sizes already surpass state averages. In 2023, the district submitted 33 waivers for larger class sizes. In 2025, Denton ISD has already submitted 73 waivers.

Proposition A includes five pennies dedicated to competitive salary increases in 2025–26 and funds raises for all teachers and staff by 2026–27.

Without additional funding, Denton ISD may have to reduce staff positions, including teachers, counselors, nurses, librarians, and special education personnel, and face longer vacancies in hard-to-fill roles such as bilingual, special education, and foreign language teachers, as well as bus drivers and child nutrition staff.