Coppell Chronicle Vol. 5, No. 40
Coppell ISD Seeks ‘Cowboys United’ Champions • Talks of Closing Schools Have Been Tabled • Soccer Coach Accused of Sexual Misconduct • Naterra Has Big Plans for New HQ in Coppell
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Coppell ISD Seeks ‘Cowboys United’ Champions
If you’re willing to devote your time and energy to helping Coppell ISD fill its empty seats, then Angela Brown would like to enlist your services.
Brown is the school district’s Chief Communications Officer. During last week’s Board of Trustees meeting, she unveiled her plan to recruit hundreds of volunteers to knock on doors throughout Coppell ISD and convince parents to enroll their children in the district’s schools.
“Get your tennis shoes ready,” Brown told the trustees. “Start getting on the treadmill now, because you’re gonna be doing a lot of block walking — all of us, knocking on doors and talking to every family.”
This “Every Voice, Every Block” initiative — which is scheduled to begin in January, weather permitting — is part of the Cowboys United marketing campaign that frames Coppell ISD as a better choice than charter schools. During previous board meetings, administrators have said they know of 700 kids who were once Coppell ISD students but are now enrolled at charters. Because Texas bases schools’ funding on their average daily attendance, luring those families back could add more than $4 million to the district’s coffers.
Trustee Nichole Bentley asked how Coppell ISD residents, such as the members of Communities United for Public Education, could get involved in “Every Voice, Every Block.” Brown said they should send an email to input@coppellisd.com, but the district has since shared a link to a volunteer application form.
“I’m gonna need everybody that wants to be involved,” Brown said, “because we’re gonna basically divide up the entire district.”
Without using the phrase “Town Center Elementary,” Superintendent Leanne Shivers seemed to imply that Town Center parents — who have shown up en masse at recent board meetings to protest the rejected recommendation to close their campus — would be especially welcome to get involved.
“Our community has come, you’ve offered, you’ve said you’re willing to [help], and this is where we need your help,” Shivers said.
Billboards touting the Cowboys United messaging are already in place, and Brown said they will soon be augmented by banners on campuses. Banners could also pop up on prominent properties, if the owners are willing.
“If you live at a corner of a major intersection, please let me know,” Brown said. “I have a banner I’d like to put in your yard.”
If you’re not willing to knock on doors or place a banner on your lawn, you could still help the district by filling out a survey about Cowboys United. Brown said the survey drew more than 350 respondents in its first hour, and I’m told that total has since surpassed 1,300. The survey’s original deadline was Nov. 21, but it’s been extended until 5 p.m. on Dec. 1.
Talks of Closing Schools Have Been Tabled
Last Monday’s meeting of the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees was their first since a majority of them rejected the idea of closing Town Center Elementary. They shouldn’t expect a similar proposal to appear on their agendas anytime soon.
When Trustee Leigh Walker asked for the administrators’ thoughts on campus consolidations, Superintendent Leanne Shivers’ answer was unequivocal.
“At this point in time, I’m not coming forward with another recommendation during this school year for the following school year for a consolidation,” Shivers said. “For now, I’d like us to table that conversation.”