COPPERAS COVE – Trustees have finalized their vision for the district’s operations in the next year.
Monday evening, during its regular meeting, the Copperas Cove ISD Board of Trustees approved its goals for the 2026-27 year. These goals will shape how the district prioritizes tasks and operates for the next year, including how it sets the 2026-27 budget.
“With these goals set, our district now has a clear set of priorities for the next year in how we work to positively impact the lives of every student,” said Superintendent Dr. Brent Hawkins. “These goals helped guide great success for our district in the past year and I’m confident they will do the same, building on the work we’ve already begun.”
Goal I remains focused on student outcomes, aiming to increase the number of 3rd-grade students who score “Meets Grade Level” on state-mandated exams from 55% to 65% in Reading & Language Arts, and 45% to 55% in Math. It also aims the district to increase the number of students who meet state College, Career & Military Readiness guidelines from 87% to 90% by June 2029, while also working to build CTE and P-TECH opportunities to the greatest extent possible.
Goal II remains focused on operations, addressing finances and facilities. Specifically, Goal II states the district will continue to be a good steward of taxpayer funds, and monitor spending to live within projected resources. It also states that the district will ensure construction projects remain efficient, timely, within budget constraints and that regular updates are provided to the trustees and community.
“With the community having approved more than $150 million worth of construction projects on Bond 2025, Goal II matches how our district has and wants to operate moving forward,” Dr. Hawkins said. “We want to make sure we’re fully transparent with our community and that they know what is happening within their community schools.”
Goal III builds on the district’s process to foster a culture of proactive engagement with the community and surrounding areas, engaging with a variety of stakeholders, organizations and media platforms.
The trustees have also taken a needed step to ask the state for help with a new mandate, unanimously agreeing that the district budget cannot support the purchase of school buses or retrofitting of the current fleet with three-point seat belts for each passenger. This action comes after a review of the district’s bus fleet and the financial impact of meeting the guidelines set forth in Senate Bill 546.
In the district’s fleet, 23 buses are already in full compliance with SB 546 while 52 would need to be retrofitted or replaced. Of those eight would see their warranties voided if they were retrofitted. In total, the district would face an almost-$6.3 million price tag to bring the fleet into full compliance.
“While I understand, and even share the goals the legislature has in the requirement from SB 546, our district is not in the same financial situation as some of our larger counterparts across the state,” Dr. Hawkins said. “We have a number of buses in our fleet which still have 10 years in their usable life but that cannot be retrofitted and it’s fiscally irresponsible to replace those buses. We are asking the state to revisit the funding allocated for this requirement, and to revisit the transportation allotment, which has been largely untouched since 1988.”
Finally, trustees approved a resolution to unify the district’s campuses identity. Through this measure, all campus mascots will reflect alignment with the “Bulldawg” mascot used at Copperas Cove High School, in order to strengthen districtwide unity and create a greater sense of belonging.
“We are a one-high-school community and have been working hard to build a greater community pride in our schools,” Dr. Hawkins said. “This step will unite our entire district under the same Bulldawg Blue and Gold that brings all of us so much pride.”
Needed updates will take place within the normal maintenance cycles for the district, including Bond 2025 construction projects. This will ensure the unification can occur at no financial burden to the district or taxpayers.
The Board of Trustees is next scheduled to hold its Special Called Meeting on April 13th. This meeting is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. in the Board Room, located at the District Service & Training Center on South Main Street.
Agendas for each meeting are posted three business days prior to each meeting outside the CCISD Service & Training Center. Once posted, they can be viewed online at www.CCISD.com/SchoolBoard.