On Monday night, the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees approved the CISD 2019-20 budget and tax rate.

Trustees voted to lower the district’s Maintenance and Tax Rate by $0.107 from last year and voted to lower the district’s 2019-20 Interest and Sinking Tax Rate by $0.0279. CISD’s tax rate also lowered $0.1296 per $100 in assessed value.

The CISD 2019-20 budget of $154.4 million was also approved, which is 1.2% lower than last year. This reduction is due to a $11 million decrease in recapture, also known as Robin Hood, $7 million increase in instructional support, $1.6 million increase in student support services and $0.5 million increase in non-student support including maintenance and technology. 

In other news, trustee Tracy Fisher was nominated as the TASB representative and trustee Nichole Bentley was named as the alternate.  

During the Open Forum, members of the Ridgecrest Estates asked if their community could be reevaluated and a bus could be reinstated for their children to go to Coppell Middle School North as it had been last year.

Additionally, Coppell resident Ryan Black requested for the Board’s support for his suggestion of banning vapes and e-cigarettes in the city Tuesday night at the City Council Meeting. 

Shortly afterwards, CISD associate superintendent Sid Grant discussed the new renovations at Coppell Middle School East, Coppell High School, CMS North and Canyon Ranch Elementary. 

CHS sophomore Natasha Banga was recognized for placing second at the UIL State Debate in the Lincoln-Douglas division, competing as a freshman from May 28-31 in Austin. 

“Now that she is a sophomore, Natasha has a bright future ahead of her and that isn’t up for debate,” CISD Superintendent Brad Hunt said. 

The Board also recognized the CHS Solar Car team for placing second in the nation at the Solar Car Challenge Track Race in the electric solar car division, completing 243 laps. 

In addition, Lee Elementary teacher Samira Khan and CHS9 biology teacher Cathy Douglas were lauded for their selection as 2020 Teacher of The Year finalists for Region 10.

“This marked the very first in CISD history that both of our teachers of the year reached the regional distinction, and we are very proud of what they are doing every day in the classroom and thank them for their hard work,” CISD Board of Trustees President Thom Hulme said.

CHS seniors Shreyas Rajagopal and Het Desai were also recognized for finishing 13th at the National Speech and Debate Tournament held at Dallas in June.