On Monday, the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees discussed the possible consolidation involving seven campuses, the Dual Language Immersion program and Pre-K to address budget and enrollment concerns.
With the CISD’s declining enrollment rates and developing budget crisis, the board deliberated six different options to address these issues.
Consolidation options included the consolidation of Austin Elementary School with Town Center, Pinkerton and Lakeside Elementary Schools, which would save $2.26 million; the consolidation of Pinkerton with Wilson and Austin Elementary Schools, which would save $2.1 million; and the consolidation of New Tech High @ Coppell with Coppell High School Ninth Grade Campus and Coppell High School, which would save $2.1 million.
The Board removed the consideration of consolidating Pinkerton and Austin, which could have saved $4.01 million.
Although nothing is proposed for the potential unused buildings at this time, CISD trustee Nicole Bentley hopes that they will continue to stay under CISD.
“I do not want us to do anything that would allow a charter school to end up purchasing one of our buildings,” Bentley said, “So we need to think through what we would do with the facility.”
Additionally, the board discussed leveling Pre-K and Pre-K enrollment district wide, which would increase efficiency in class size that cannot be met with current funds.
Trustees hope that they can narrow down the options to one that can help the ongoing budget crisis while still addressing enrollment concerns and student needs.
“If we make a decision only based upon enrollment numbers or only based on finances, we are not going to come to the optimal conclusion,” Bentley said.
The board will meet at the Vonita White Administration Building for a workshop on Monday to continue these discussions. A town hall meeting is scheduled for Sept. as well at CHS9. Possible board action on a final decision could be made at the Sept. 30 board meeting.
Executive news editor Sahasra Chakilam contributed to this report.
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