Coppell City Council voted in favor of renovations to Lakeside Elementary School on Tuesday, adding 21,054-square-feet to the school.

The project has three prospective sections, each one story a piece. The first being two additions to the rear of the building and including a shelter wing, pre-K classrooms and an art classroom. Two interior courtyard areas for playgrounds and facilitate outdoor learning are included. The final addition is located near the entrance of the school to house administration, counseling and nursing staff.

Coppell ISD chief operations officer Sid Grant said the plans are identical to the recent project at Valley Ranch Elementary.

According to Grant, Lakeside Elementary sits at a comfortable capacity of about 600 students prior to renovations. That number will rise to 680 students.

Additionally, the council approved a resolution with a 4-3 vote requesting the Texas Municipal League (TML) take action to provide regulations during the citizen comment portions of municipal meetings. The TML serves municipalities across the state.

Some council members believe the request could possibly infringe on citizen’s First Amendment rights.

“We’ve seen them [state legislature] take away authority for us as a city council to make decisions that are important not only to the citizens of this community, but that reflect so many times the very fabric and unique characteristics of our community that make us distinct from other communities,” council member Jim Walker said. “And I believe we should have that authority.”

However, other council members had a different angle.

“This resolution only addresses maintaining order and decorum,” council member Mark Hill said. “It does nothing to request that we infringe on anyone’s First Amendment right.”

Council member Kevin Nevels supported the request, wanting the community to express their ideas in a safe environment allowing a forum that is “welcoming and inviting to the public.”

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