The Coppell ISD board of trustees met Jan. 23 to discuss opening steps toward the passage of a new bond worth more than $500 million.

If passed, the $511 million bond is earmarked for new prekindergarten classrooms at five CISD campuses, safety and security investments throughout the district, improvements to the district tennis center, a new multipurpose building, and eight elementary school renovations.

The renovations at the eight elementary schools are expected to make up nearly 40% of the entire bond, or $184 million, according to meeting documents.

“We assess the conditions of the buildings and determine the level needed for ongoing operations,” said Cindy Powell with Cooperative Strategies. “All the older [elementary school] buildings have interior needs, but those can be covered with a renovation.”

The council will continue workshopping the bond at the Feb. 6 meeting.

The passage of the bond would lead to a property tax increase, officials confirmed.

Language in the bond also calls for the “construction, acquisition or equipment of housing for teachers as determined by the district to be necessary to have a sufficient number of teachers for the district.”

Jim Walker and Dilan Patel, steering committee co-chairs, said the district began gathering data for the bond recommendation in 2019 with community dialogue and a tour of the facilities. In the ensuing three years, the district sent out surveys and ordered an Americans with Disabilities Act assessment.

“We looked at the 10-year projected enrollment for Coppell ISD while discussing the package,” Patel said. “Hopefully, this bond lasts until 2028."

Patel added that the committee looked at facility conditions, facility capacity and utilization, overall educational planning, financial overviews, and stakeholder and steering committee input.

The last bond passed in Coppell ISD was in 2016. More information about the 2023 bond election can be found here.