More North Texas schools could shut down because of budget and enrollment issues. Coppell ISD, a highly rated school district, could close an elementary or high school next school year. NBC 5’s Education reporter Wayne Carter says parents showed up looking for answers.
There was not an empty seat in the house, even standing room only in the lobby, where parents watched a live feed of Coppell ISD’s first meeting on possibly closing schools in the highly successful destination district.
Like so many school districts in Texas, Coppell ISD is facing significant budget shortfalls. It cites Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s refusal to approve more money for school districts unless lawmakers approve vouchers, as well as enrollment and capacity issues.
Monday night, the district presented six different and very complex options to the school board of how schools would be impacted. One of them considered closing two elementary schools, but it was taken off the table.
For now, three schools could close: New Tech High, Austin Elementary, or Pinkerton Elementary.
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Various other schools would increase in size. Parents lobbied to save their schools and questioned why closures were needed since the district has $70 million in its rainy-day fund.
Many parents and students are from Pinkerton Elementary, the oldest elementary school building in the district.
Just two years ago, the district considered closing it, citing its age and maintenance costs, but board members voted that down after parent outcry. Now, those same parents are back again, along with many others.
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None of this would take effect until the 2025-26 school year, and there will be additional meetings for parents to weigh in before the board has its final say on Sept. 30.
You can see the school district's presentation and all the schools, programs, and ideas floated at coppellisd.com.
