Superintendent Dr. Brad Hunt and Board President David Caviniess getting ready to start the open forum
In a heavily anticipated decision, the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees voted to consolidate Pinkerton Elementary on Monday, September 30th. Although the board decided not to move the Dual Language Immersion program from Wilson Elementary, unfortunately, Pinkerton was not spared. The motion to consolidate Pinkerton into Austin and Wilson Elementary passed 4-3 among the trustees, resulting in an emotional response from the room.
Before the meeting, hopeful parents and students held up signs outside of the Vonita White Administration building trying to gather support from passersby.
During the open forum, concerned parents, students, and community members gave testimonials, citing multiple reasons against the closure of Pinkerton and Wilson. One speaker passionately declared, “Pinkerton has been off and on the chopping block many times. The Board has failed the City of Coppell.” Another parent stressed the importance of Pinkerton’s small school environment, saying, “We stay in public school because of Pinkerton. We like the school size here. If you move to Wilson, I don’t know what will change.”
Special needs families also expressed deep concern. One parent of a five-year-old with autism stated, “Only Special Needs parents can fathom how this change impacts them.”, and pointed out that a larger school environment could negatively impact his child’s ability to learn.
Speakers at the meeting raised several key concerns and arguments, reflecting a wide range of perspectives. These included:
Long-term decision-making: Many emphasized the need to make careful decisions that would positively impact the district’s future, and that hastily closing a school was not the right decision.
Community consideration: Speakers urged the board to prioritize the children, their walkable neighborhood schools, and the diverse communities affected above financial concerns for a better future.
Latino Representation: Some pointed out that Latino families have not been adequately heard in the decision-making process, and argued for their protection in the process.
Quality of Education: Concerns were voiced over how the consolidation might affect high school scores and the overall quality of education, and if the unique, specialized environment of each school’s programs would be preserved.
Impact on Special Needs Children: The closure of Pinkerton was seen as particularly harmful to students with special needs, who may require smaller schools and higher amounts of individual attention.
District Finances: With a growing trend of enrollment, speakers questioned why the financial deficit continues to rise and confronted the board as to where their taxes were going.
Historical Significance: Pinkerton alumni, students, and parents especially, stated that the school is a cornerstone of the district’s history and that closing it would erode that history.
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While the community expressed their concerns, the Board of Trustees repeated much of the data stated in previous meetings, highlighting a growing financial deficit and the resulting challenges in keeping schools like Pinkerton open.
“We do not have to make the right decision, we need to make the decision right.” (Leigh Walker, CISD Board of Trustees Place 1)
“This is the easy decision. It is what happens after this that gets harder and tougher.” (Anthony Hill, CISD Board of Trustees Place 3)
The board cited factors such as lower birth rates and school choice as reasons for declining enrollment, claiming it endangered the district’s finances and credit rating. Despite this, they assured the public that job losses would not occur as part of the consolidation.
One of the central debates of the night revolved around the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program. The board presented four options: consolidating the program, moving it to Wilson Elementary, discontinuing it, or transitioning it to an ordinary ESL-focused curriculum.
In the end, the DLI program was not consolidated, with the board reasoning that it would not save enough money to justify the change. Still, many parents voiced concerns about the future of the program and its sustainability.
Throughout the night, it became clear that there was no simple solution to the challenges facing Coppell ISD. With the financial pressures mounting, the board expressed their frustration, yet remained determined to protect staff and student resources.
As one board member noted, “We cannot wait for the legislation anymore. We have to act now.”
When asked about media coverage, Wilson alumni said, “It’s always up to the board, but I think it will be enough for the whole of Coppell to know.” She also expressed hope that Pinkerton would not close, adding, “We want to keep all schools open.”
The decision to close Pinkerton Elementary has left the community grappling with the ramifications. With concerns about education quality, financial stability, and inclusivity, Coppell ISD faces a challenging road ahead as they strive to make the “right” decision moving forward and move for the benefit of all.
