November 15, 2023
Dear Coppell ISD Community,
As we head towards the Thanksgiving Break next week, I want you to know that I am so thankful to be a part of this school district and am extremely grateful for all of our students, teachers and staff, parents, and community members who work together to do what is best for the children we educate and serve. It has been an incredible school year so far with more great things to come!
Because of our collective commitment to our mission of working together to provide profound learning experiences for each child we serve, I want to share with you updates regarding two important topics that are key parts of the educational experience in Coppell ISD. These topics are relevant to all stakeholders, and it is essential we help keep our community informed.
At the November 13 School Board Meeting, our Chief Operations Officer, Chris Trotter, shared an update on the progress of the 2023 Bond Projects. We are excited to report advancements in major renovation work at Valley Ranch Elementary, the construction of a new Fine Arts rehearsal building at Coppell High School, upgrades to our Tennis Center at CHS and the planned replacement of the playgrounds at 10 out of the 11 CISD elementary schools. Please remember our newest elementary school, Canyon Ranch Elementary, opened in 2019 and already has updated playground equipment. These initiatives aim to create an enriched and dynamic learning environment for our students and to foster a sense of pride within our community and are just a few examples of your bond dollars at work.
As a reminder, voters in CISD approved all four propositions in the 2023 Bond last May. Details about bond projects and timelines can be found at www.coppellisd.com/bond. It is important to note that bond projects are funded by the district’s Interest and Sinking (I&S) or Debt Services Budget, and these funds can only be used to fund bond projects and cannot be used for CISD Maintenance and Operations (M&O) expenditures.
Also at the November 13 Board Meeting, Chief Financial Officer, Diana Sircar, provided an update on the 2024-2025 budget cycle process. This update focused on the timeline and various considerations that go into ensuring the financial stability of our school district in terms of our M&O budget. The CISD Board of Trustees are embarking on a two-year budget planning process using the budget priorities established last spring.
It's crucial to note that we find ourselves in the midst of an unprecedented Fourth Texas Legislative Special Session in 2023. Sadly, the uncertainty from the state persists, and as we work to plan our budgets, we are unable to rely on the Texas Legislature to provide additional funding for public schools. The CISD 2023-2024 budget was adopted with a $13 million deficit. Though the deficit may be lower depending on a variety of circumstances, the Board authorized the district to use money from its fund balance to cover budget shortfalls, should we realize a deficit.
My leadership team and I, along with the CISD Board of Trustees, are committed to making informed budget decisions that prioritize the well-being and educational experience of our students while communicating about the process along the way. Your support is invaluable, and we will continue to keep you updated throughout the budget planning process.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families and friends.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brad Hunt
Superintendent
Coppell ISD