September 9, 2024
Dear Coppell ISD Community,
In keeping with our promise to maintain open and transparent communication, I want to share an important update about information from tonight’s Board Workshop.
At the request of CISD Trustees to address our district’s budget challenges and declining enrollment, tonight, the Board was presented with the following possible options for consolidation:
Consolidate Austin with Town Center, Wilson, Pinkerton and Lakeside
Consolidate the Austin campus with campuses in close proximity
Move Dual Language Immersion (DLI) and BIL (Bilingual) Pre-K program to Denton Creek Elementary
Level Pre-K enrollment districtwide
Adjust attendance zones at Town Center, Lakeside, Wilson, and Denton Creek
Net Cost Savings — $2.26 million
Consolidate Pinkerton with Wilson and Austin
Move the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program to Wilson
Move Dual Language Immersion (DLI) and BIL (Bilingual) Pre-K program to Denton Creek Elementary
Level Pre-K enrollment districtwide
Adjust Denton Creek Elementary attendance zones to Town Center, Cottonwood Creek and Lakeside based on enrollment
Net Cost Savings — $2.1 million
Consolidation of both Pinkerton and Austin (Trustees removed this option from consideration.)
Move IB Program to Wilson
Move DLI and BIL Pre-K program to Denton Creek Elementary
Level Pre-K districtwide
Level elementary enrollments
Net Cost Savings — $ 4.05 million
Consolidation of New Tech and CHS/CHS9
Consolidate the New Tech students into CHS and CHS9
Net Cost Savings — $ 2.1 million
Consolidation of Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program
Consolidate DLI into one campus for efficiency
Net Cost Savings — $288,000
Leveling Pre-K
Leveling Pre-K — Efficiency in class sizes, neighborhood schools for students
Level Pre-K enrollment districtwide
These options are based on the Facility Evaluation Tool, which was developed by a committee of parents, community members and staff members and approved by the CISD Trustees on June 10. The tool is designed to assess how we can best utilize our facilities, buildings and land efficiently, given the current budgetary and enrollment challenges we are facing.
After reviewing and discussing these options, the Trustees have decided to remove the option that consolidates both Austin and Pinkerton Elementary schools and will discuss all the other options at the Monday, September 16 Board Workshop.
I encourage you to stay informed by watching the video of tonight’s workshop, which will be available first thing in the morning on Tuesday, September 10 at www.coppellisd.com/o/cisd/page/board-meeting-video. The full presentation is available online at https://5il.co/2we3v. For a deeper understanding of our budget challenges, as well as access to all previous communications, presentations, and a Frequently Asked Questions document, please visit www.coppellisd.com/budget. We also welcome your feedback and questions at input@coppellisd.com.
Our district is facing budget challenges due to inflation, which has exceeded 20% since 2019, and projections that show declining enrollment, particularly at the elementary level. Additionally, our funding is directly impacted by lower attendance rates, which is a concern we are actively working to address. These are the upcoming dates and next steps in this process:
September 16, 2024 — Board Workshop at 5:30 p.m.
September 18, 2024 — Town Hall at CHS9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium
September 30, 2024 — Board Meeting at 6 p.m. (Possible Board Action on Final Decision)
School consolidations are very tough and challenging conversations for our community and staff. These discussions can bring out a lot of emotions and uncertainty. Our core values of redefining success, great teaching, authentic relationships, and collective engagement will continue to filter our discussions. While we may not always agree, we can continue to engage in dialogue in a respectful manner. We live and work in a wonderful community that is a family. We have worked through hard times and will get through these challenges together. These are indeed difficult decisions, but, as always, our district is committed to working together to do what is best for all of the students we serve. Our top priority is taking care of our students, employees, and families.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brad Hunt
Superintendent