Coppell ISD Board Briefs are highlights of select items from the CISD Board of Trustees meetings.

• The Board approved 2021-2022 school year calendar revisions, which included moving the first day of school for the 2021-2022 school year to Tuesday, August 17, 2021 and the last day of school to May 27, 2022; 

• Trustees approved the TEA Missed School Day Waiver, which will allow the district to not use bad weather days or extend the school year because of winter weather closure Feb. 15 to Feb. 19; 

• The Board approved a Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Coppell Independent School District Hereby Declaring a Public Purpose for the Expenditure of Public Funds, which allows the district to pay employees for the winter weather closure from Feb. 15 to Feb. 19; 

• Trustees approved a Resolution to authorize the Superintendent to contract for the replacement, construction and/or repair of school equipment and facilities affected by the winter weather Feb. 15 to Feb. 19;  

• The Board approved the TEA Hybrid Learning Waivers for STAAR Testing, which will allow CISD to move to hybrid instruction for any STAAR testing or other testing, such as SAT, ACT, TELPAS and other testing to allow for social distancing during these tests; 

• Trustees approved a TEA Class Size Waiver for one first grade class and one third grade class at Denton Creek Elementary; 

• The Board discussed and considered all matters incident and related to the issuance and sale of "Coppell Independent School District Unlimited Tax Refunding Bonds, Series 2021", including the adoption of an order authorizing the issuance of such bonds, establishing parameters for the sale and issuance of such bonds and delegating certain matters to authorized official of the district.

• Trustees approved Budget Amendments for February 2021 and the Financial Report for January 2021. 

District Highlights
Several recent CISD achievements were highlighted at the meeting, including:

• CISD Celebrates Black History Month;

• CISD 'Goes Red' for American Heart Association; and

• Wilson Principal Cooper Hilton Region 10 "TEPSAN" of the Year

District Awards
During the Awards portion of the meeting, Trustees recognized:

• Great Employees Matter (GEM) Awards Recipients;

• TMEA All State Choir Students; and 

• The 2021 Coppell ISD English and Spanish Spelling Bee Winners

Hearing for Public Discussion of the Texas Academic Performance Report
Coordinator of Accountability and Assessment Susie Williams presented the Hearing for Public Discussion of the Texas Academic Performance Report.  A copy of this report is available online, and a hard copy is available in the lobby of the CISD Administration Building.

Superintendent Discussion and Report Items

2020 December STAAR EOC Results
Coordinator of Accountability and Assessment Susie Williams shared an update on the 2020 December STAAR EOC Results. 

Intervention Services & 504 Updates
Director of Intervention Services and Special EducationStephanie Flores and Director of Intervention Services Debbie Gauntt shared an update on Intervention Services and 504 Updates.

COVID-19 Update
Superintendent Dr. Brad Hunt shared an update on COVID-19, including the fourth nine weeks commitment forms, COVID-19 numbers in CISD, recent CDC travel guidelines, a COVID-19 Vaccine Update and plans for the 2021-2022 school year, including the continuation of the Return to School Task Force, a parent/guardian input opportunity and whether the state will allow a virtual academy via HB1486.  

Bond Project/Facilities Update
Chief Operations Officer Dr. Greg Axelson shared an update on the Bond Project and a Facilities Update, which included details on the district’s accessibility updates to buildings from the last CISD voter-approved bonds. Dr. Axelson also shared about the winter weather damage to CISD facilities. 

Budget Update
Chief Financial Officer Diana Sircar shared an update on the budget planning process, including how CISD employees are exploring options as directed from the January 25 Board Workshop. The next Budget Workshop is Monday, March 8 at 5:30 p.m., when CISD will give the board an update on the revenue and expenditure opportunities that are being investigated and get further feedback from the Board.

Board of Trustees Discussion and Report Items 
Board President Nichole Bentley shared an update on the Team of 8 Training and a Budget Workshop Recap. Trustee Tracy Fisher shared a Legislative Update.  Trustee Leigh Walker shared an update on the  Education Foundation and Irving Chamber. Trustee Anthony Hill shared an update on the TASB Quarterly Risk Management Fund Board Meeting, the North Texas Area Association of School Boards (NTAASB) February Meeting, the Coppell Chamber Education Committee, and the District Educational Improvement Committee and the School Health Advisory Council. Trustee David Caviness shared an update on the Board Operating Procedures.