March 4, 2024
Dear CISD Community,
As part of our commitment to transparency throughout the budget planning process to address the fiscal challenges facing our district, I want to share a brief update on the Board Workshop on the Budget held on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the CISD Board Room.
During this workshop, Trustees discussed the following topics:
The district timelines for decision-making for the budget
The Voter-Approved Tax Ratification Election (VATRE) process, should Trustees decide to pursue this option for CISD
The community input protocol for the budget planning process, which includes
Preliminary focus group feedback from CISD stakeholders
District-wide survey to be conducted in April
A Community Dialogue Event to be held in April
Additional Focus Group Meetings in April and May
Campus and Community Roadshow Presentations in April and May
Share information with civic organizations, Chambers of Commerce and community groups as needed and
The ongoing collection of feedback through input@coppellisd.com
Trustees also discussed the next steps in this budget planning process, as well as provided staff with information to be discussed at the April 8 Board Workshop.
As shared in my Feb. 5 message with you on the budget — as a means to align our revenue and expenditures, CISD is embarking on a multi-year budget planning process. The CISD Board of Trustees has established these priorities to guide this budget work:
Remain a leader in salary/benefits; employee retention
Educator support positions and training
Evaluate program effectiveness; offer choice programs; efficient operating costs
Open enrollment expansion
Use of the district’s fund balance
The School Board meetings and workshops timeline for the budget process includes:
Held January 22 Board Meeting — Mid-year update on the 23/24 budget and legislative action impacting school funding. (To view the presentation and a video recording from the January 22 Board Meeting, visit www.coppellisd.com/board)
Held February 5 Board Workshop — Two-year budget planning for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 (To view the presentation and video recording from the February 5 Board Workshop, visit www.coppellisd.com/board)
Held March 4 Board Workshop ((To view the presentation and video recording from the February 5 Board Workshop, visit www.coppellisd.com/board)
April 8 Board Workshop
May 13 Budget Workshop — First Draft General Operating Budget
June 10 Budget Workshop — Second Draft General Operating, Food Service budgets
July 16 Tentative Board Workshop
July 25 Certified Taxable Assessed Property Values released
August 12 Budget Workshop — Final General Operating Budget, Food Service Budget and Debt Service Budgets
August 26 Board Meeting — Adoption of 2024-2025 Budget and Tax Rate
We will continue to provide information to our community after our Budget Workshops and Board Meetings. You can share your budget questions or feedback via email at input@coppellisd.com.
We are dedicated to addressing these budget challenges by working together and value your continued support as we strive to work together to ensure the financial stability of CISD, which ultimately benefits our students, families, staff, and the community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brad Hunt
Superintendent
Coppell Independent School District