Students at New Tech High @ Coppell stream in through a pair of double doors as they begin their day. But for a few weeks, students did not know how much longer those same doors would remain open.
Coppell ISD’s choice high school, New Tech, came under threat of closure as part of budget concerns. On Sept. 16, the CISD Board of Trustees voted to consolidate Pinkerton Elementary School, but prior to this decision, students were not planning on taking this news sitting down.
New Tech sophomore Disha Shah is one of many students who advocated against the school’s consolidation.
“I specifically chose the board meeting because I knew that the trustees at that board meeting are the main pillars who make CISD today,” Shah explained. “If I can give my voice to CISD, talk about New Tech and save it from consolidation, I wouldn’t regret 10 years later as to why I did not graduate from New Tech instead of some other school.”
New Tech sophomore Morgan Fang created a petition against consolidating New Tech, receiving 379 signatures on Change.org. With a student body of 382 according to the school’s website, a potential consolidation would likely send New Tech students to the larger Coppell High School.
“I realized that something needs to be done for us to be here and for the school to go on for generations to come,” Fang said. “I have seen the halls at CHS and they’re very crowded, so even though New Tech is a smaller campus, adding over 300 students to CHS would make it even more cramped.”
To many students, New Tech’s focus on project based learning and leadership are major reasons to oppose consolidation.
“Some people who might not do as well in a traditional high school would rather be in a project-focused school, and vice versa,” New Tech junior and student council member Nathan Fan said.
According to Fan, the smaller class size allows for greater student impact.
“Our student council has around 25 people, so we each have our own voice and can speak,” Fan said. “I know the CHS Student Council has a lot more.”
Shah is grateful for the opportunity to advocate for their school and make a change in her community.
“It doesn’t have to be showing up at a board meeting and speaking,” Shah said. “Just helping out in the community, like teaching a little girl how to bike and other small acts lead to a big impact.”
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