Coppell ISD School Trustees Vote Against Closing Town Center Elementary School
Coppell ISD school trustees voted against shuttering Town Center Elementary School on Monday night, following strong objections from parents. Financial strains and declining enrollment prompted the debate over the school’s future. The district is facing an $8.5 million deficit, and closing Town Center would have saved about $1.3 million in payroll and $1.5 million in total, school officials estimated during a Sept. 22 meeting.
Background of the Debate
A plan to consolidate the school came up for a vote Monday night and failed with five votes against and two in favor, an outcome parents in the audience applauded and cheered. Over the past month, parents had been rallying to get the school board to find other solutions to address the deficit. Parents and community members spent about an hour during public comment calling on trustees to vote no.
“We can find solutions without dismantling more schools and without destroying the community trust,” Tiffany Tai, a parent of two students at Town Center, said during public comment.
Enrollment Projections and Budget Strains
The district projects Town Center’s enrollment to drop over the next five years. The school is operating below its total capacity of 600 students; it currently teaches about 450 students. By 2030, Town Center would have an enrollment of 396 students, the district estimated.
The plan now is for the school to remain open, with the district planning to explore options to mitigate the budget strains.
Staffing Reductions and Financial Realities
In a statement following the vote, Superintendent Leanne Shivers said she anticipated reductions in staffing. The “steps ahead will likely affect many areas of our district,” she said.
Across the district, which serves more than 13,000 students, enrollment in the 2025-26 year has decreased by almost 200 students, with the most drastic dips in pre-K and kindergarten.
Board Members’ Concerns and Alternatives
During the meeting Monday, board members emphasized the achievements of the districts’ academic and extracurricular programs but also weighed the grim financial realities. President David Caviness, who voted in favor of closing the school, said he wants the district to avoid reorganizing schools in the future.
“Even if we shook everything up today, I want to make sure we’re going with the option that puts us in the best position for the future,” Caviness said.
Other trustees raised concerns about how the move would affect Town Center students. Even if the school closes, the district is facing an uphill battle with the remaining deficit of about $6 million, said trustee Leigh Walker.
“It’s the smallest, and yet it has the biggest impact,” Walker said. “I’m not there yet.”
Trustee Anthony Hill said the board should find alternatives to closing the school, such as generating more revenue to offset the monetary shortfall. The district should try to understand why “we are not the option” — why parents are not enrolling their kids — he added.
Similar Issues in Other School Districts
Town Center was not the first school the district had considered closing. In September 2024, Coppell ISD trustees narrowly voted to close Pinkerton Elementary because of declining enrollment and limited state financial assistance.
Other school districts in North Texas are facing problems with budget squeezes and downturns in enrollment. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is moving forward on a proposal to close three elementary schools, despite protests from parents.
Community Reaction and Next Steps
For now, some Coppell ISD parents are taking a moment to process what they see as a victory, Tai said.
“It takes a lot of community action,” she said. “It has been five weeks for us to work so diligently, so incredibly hard, as a community to stand up.”
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Conclusion
The decision to keep Town Center Elementary School open is a significant victory for the community, but the district still faces significant financial challenges. The school board will need to explore alternative solutions to address the budget deficit, and the community will need to continue to be involved in the decision-making process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why was Town Center Elementary School considered for closure?
A: The school was considered for closure due to declining enrollment and financial strains, with the district facing an $8.5 million deficit.
Q: How many students are currently enrolled at Town Center Elementary School?
A: The school currently teaches about 450 students, which is below its total capacity of 600 students.
Q: What are the projected enrollment numbers for Town Center Elementary School in the next five years?
A: The district projects Town Center’s enrollment to drop to 396 students by 2030.
Q: What are the next steps for the school district?
A: The district will explore options to mitigate the budget strains and find alternative solutions to address the deficit.
