Coppell ISD’s Board of Trustees have been tasked with making district-altering decisions by September of this year in order to lighten the district’s growing budget deficit.
On Monday at 5:30 p.m., the Board of Trustees convened at the Vonita White Administration Building for a workshop to discuss plans regarding district funds, budgeting strategies, updates on legislative matters and board election results.
The workshop then moved forward to an open work session revolving around a presentation given by the Coppell ISD Efficiency Review Committee.
The CERC report over school consolidation and boundary realignments details a 10-year projection of district budget deficits, as well as a multi-year plan to relieve the strains these deficits will cause.
According to the CERC, the district budget will be in a $33 million deficit by the 2028-2029 school year, and district enrollment is projected to be down significantly.
Solutions presented by the CERC board included the simultaneous consolidation of two additional elementary schools by the 2026-27 school year, the integration of the New Tech High @ Coppell student body into the Coppell High School campus rather than consolidating the school entirely and the implementation of a pay-to-ride bus and shuttle system for all students.
The CERC believes if these actions are passed now, it is possible the district budget deficit could be balanced by 2029.
However, this estimation does not take into account possible changes made by new state legislation or increased costs of living.
“We have to do something this big even if it isn’t something on this list,” Superintendent Dr. Brad Hunt said. “This is survival, we need to decide what to do to keep our district moving financially”
CERC has requested a decision on a course of action from the board to be made by September. Trustees were also asked to consider the implementation of some of these measures for the 2025-2026 school year.
The board plans additional community presentations and meetings prior to making its decision.
“We are in a financial hole we need to address,” trustee Jobby Mathew said. “But details of this plan need to be voted on and feedback needs to be received before that can happen.”
The meeting also included a declaration of the election results for the May 3 General Trustee election, as well as a discussion of what to do with the Pinkerton Elementary School building after its consolidation at the end of the school year. Reelected members Leigh Walker, Anthony Hill and new member Jonathan Powers were presented with Certificates of Elections before the board entered a closed session regarding decisions surrounding a new interim superintendent.
Follow Marli (@marli_field) and @CHSCampusNews on X.
