001Good evening everyone. It's great to have everybody here on this nice June evening. It's June 22nd, 2026 and it's 6:00 p.m. And we're glad to have you here for our regular meeting. Um we will begin with our pledges of allegiance led by Tim Traeger and our invocation by Sam Wilson. If everyone will please stand. >> Would you join me in pledges? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, >> [clears throat] >> one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Now the Texas flag. Honor the Texas flag, I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible. Thank you. >> join me in prayer. Lord, thank you for this day and thank you for just this opportunity
002to just be a part of the future of our community. Thank you for people in this room who love kids and want what's best for them. I pray that during this meeting we can um do things that glorify you [snorts] and have the best results for kids. In Jesus' name, amen. >> Amen. >> All right, our mission statement will be read by John Gallon. >> The mission of Copperas Cove ISD is to provide exceptional opportunities for each student through exemplary instruction which inspires academic success, personal excellence, and responsible citizenship. >> Now okay, we don't have anyone signed up for our citizen comments. So, we are going to administer the off oath of office and statement of office to Mr. Mike Wilburn who is going to be substituting for the next 5 months for Heather Copeland.
003>> Wilburn, would you please come forward? >> Sure. >> Raise your right hand and repeat after me. I Michael Wilburn >> I Michael Wilburn >> do solemnly swear >> that I have not direct >> I haven't directly >> You hadn't taken any indirect payment or been paid. >> [laughter] >> So, now that I'm hooked on phonics, here we go. [laughter] All right, I Michael Wilburn >> I Michael Wilburn >> do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully execute >> the duties of the office of >> the duties of the office >> of >> Copperas Cove Board of Trustee Place 5 >> of the state of Texas >> state of Texas >> and will to the best of my ability >> preserve, protect, and defend >> the Constitution and laws >> of the United States and
004of this state. >> So help me God. >> God bless and go dogs. >> [applause] >> JUST COULDN'T GET AWAY WITH >> WE WE REALLY appreciate Mr. Wilburn taking this on after he was so happy [clears throat] to retire >> [laughter] >> from the job and like I I I don't think I begged him. I just I did just ask him, but I asked him very kindly, I think, when we talked about it and and was hoping that he might say yes and he he graciously did and we appreciate that and I know Heather's happy that he's sitting up there in in her spot and we're as I said when we said goodbye to Heather, we're going to miss her greatly and uh but we won't miss her much because she'll still be around and
005we'll we'll get to see and hug her all the time. So >> Ms. Manning, I one of the things that I think I told you is that uh Copperas Cove schools have been my foundation and anything I can do for the school system, I'm glad to do it. >> All right. [snorts] That's great. I think that's why we're all we're all of us are here tonight. All right, we have the good things that are coming up and the first item is the SLI and TREA [clears throat] uh update. >> Yeah, I was just uh you know, we we talked at uh about you phase said uh SLI and I was sitting here smiling cuz I couldn't help but think I was wondering if Mike was going to walk over here and do like Sheldon Cooper,
006you know, that's my spot and so [laughter] uh Sam was kind of in his spot. >> You know I feel bad. He he already asked me if you might trade with him and I said no, I don't think so. >> [laughter] >> So at this time we have uh a clip here that uh I'm going to ask uh Curtis if you would please play for us. >> [music] >> Good morning, Fort Worth. Whether this is your first Summer Leadership Institute or your 20th, thank you for being here and welcome to SLI. >> [music] >> I am excited to be here. I'm excited to learn get to meet other trustees. I think it's super important to get an army of people behind you, whether that's with your district or outside of your district. >> And we're
007learning from [music] each other. We have also school board trustees and our superintendent that's going to be presenters here. And so we're able to collaborate, [music] and we're able to glean on each others experiences as well as their triumphs or their failures and so that we can as well support one another so that we can grow as a district. >> A lot of times, you know, you learn things in sessions, but probably some of the more insightful conversations happen outside of the sessions during the breaks and when you have time to just kind of sit around and be talking about different challenges that they might encounter in their district and how they solve [music] those challenges and then sharing, you know, what's working in your district and helping other trustees with situations that they might
008encounter as well. >> And then of course, your board packet came in through that email. That's right. You You got a lot of heavy reading, so do your homework. >> So it's really great to see how each district is dealing with it. Gives you a different perspective or a different way. Um it also helps us mental health-wise because you're able to get strategies from other people on what they take to heart or what they don't take to heart. >> [music] >> You have companies that, you know, are in the education space. You have TASB staff that are presenting about advocacy and legislative process. You have districts, you know, small, large, [music] rural, urban that are presenting on best practices that they've encountered in their districts and just want to share information to make everybody better.
009What's my passion? Making sure that all kids have an opportunity to have access to a quality education and to thrive. >> Because they are our future. And so we don't do the work and if we don't do it now, when will we? So it is crucial that we are in the trenches about the business of empowering and impacting the lives of our scholars. >> Well, I I just show that to say that um, you know, over the past week and a half um, Copperas Cove ISD uh, through three different conventions, SLI, San Antonio SLI um, Fort [clears throat] Worth and TREA at Kalahari we had like six administrative presentations and two school board present school school board only presentations. And so, we represented CCISD well. Uh, we look forward to continuing to do that, but
010I think the whole thing hinges on uh, what you heard the trustee from uh, Cedar Hill. Cedar Hill is a place that I did my internship in my doctoral program. And um, she she talked about collaboration. And I think one of the most powerful things in SLI is that collaboration. It is the ability of trustees to see what other trustees are doing and to bring back information and collaborate with one another. And uh, on your cabinet there, I put uh, there was a question posed to me during SLI about uh, whether that was a violation of open meetings act. Well, if it was there's over a thousand people that was in violation of open meetings act. And so, when you listen to Blake Piles um, Keaton and Blake Pyle put put that together for us,
011I appreciate them working on a Sunday to get that done so that we would have it turned around here by Monday so everybody can see that as this board continues to move forward and next year at SLI, I highly encourage everybody to go to multiple sessions and look look at multiple ideas, look at multiple strategies and then collaborate with one another um, as you see so many do. It's a it's a time of transformation of chemistry on teams uh, and it is definitely a good investment in what uh, the board does as a whole. So, if you if y'all got anything else. >> And we missed that this year. I missed it. I missed it a lot. And and so, next year I look forward to to collaborating with with my fellow board members and
012and helping help helping our team get closer. Um, but we had some great presentations from several people on the board, including Dr. Hawkins gave a presentation at both TREA and also at the Summer Leadership Institute. And Amanda Crowley and her her group gave a I mean, I wish everybody in the state could see their presentation on CTE. >> Robert Turner back >> Oh, is he back there? Robert Turner's back there. It It was fantastic. I mean, I'm a board member and I learned something from their present at their presentation. [laughter] So, I think we all did. It and it was just It was just well-thought-out, well-done, concise. I I think there might have been one question at the end that didn't really even have anything to do with with what they were talking about, but
013it it answered all your questions as you as they were going along. And I'm not kidding, I wish everybody, especially in Copperas Cove, could see what we're doing with the CTE program in this town. It's just utterly amazing. And so, I I didn't I don't know if I told y'all afterwards, but I certainly appreciate what y'all did and put together. And I know it those things don't come together like that. It takes a lot of hard work. And we appreciate Matt and and [clears throat] Cole and and Curtis for being there and and being part of everything and and getting to know them better. Um, you know, [clears throat] I guess Curtis will probably, you know, I don't know. He's kind of like this on probation. Yeah, you know, he's he's No, I I just
014love to tease him about being on proba- probationary contract, which he's not anymore, but but I pretend that he is, so um, anyway, we we did, I believe, have really good uh conferences and next year, apparently, the um one at SLI is going to be in Grapevine at Great Wolf Lodge. So, >> Jump down the water slide. >> um, yeah, definitely. So, that'll be that'll be fun for a lot of people and hopefully people won't miss their meetings, you know. >> [laughter] >> They'll save that for the evening, but um their families will be having a good time while they're in meetings, so anyway, uh anybody else want to say anything? John? >> I want to I want to say it was a privilege to be able to present at SLI. I got a chance
015to present in San Antonio and on a Thursday and then a week later give the same presentation, which was upgraded a little more, uh in uh Fort Worth. And still waiting to hear the feedback, but uh I think we did a really good job. Uh I attended a session that TASB put on uh where they explained their toolkit championing public education. And uh this is my real point here. Their theme this year is our future is public. And tell your district story. And I wanted to give props to our district staff, Curtis and his bunch, for telling our district story. And that's the way you get the word out that public education is the way to go. Uh we've been attacked on a lot of sides, but uh TASB did a great job of putting
016a toolkit together. I gave Curtis a copy of one, so he's he's got one to use. But, we've been leaning far forward in the saddle telling our story, and it is our story, >> [clears throat] >> the story of Copperas Cove Independent School District. And we do a great job. We are the best in the west and the best in Central Texas. And it was just a privilege to be able to to be there and present, and uh take all the training that we have to take cuz Monica made sure that uh we all get our training in, uh which is good. And uh it it you put in those hours, and we learned a lot this year. Thank you, Madam President. >> Anybody else? >> Uh >> Sherry. >> Uh Tim and I presented
017too on the work that we did in uh getting the election uh underway, and we think we were a small part of the success of the bond election. And so, we told people what we did to do that, and they seemed really interested. But, what I want to say is I want to thank Amanda Crawley and her husband Pat, and Curtis and Cole and Matt, and uh um Robert Turner, and Madam President and Dr. Hawkins, and those [clears throat] on the board and in the audience that came to our presentation to support us. We were nervous, right, Tim? >> Yes, ma'am. >> And then, when we look out in the audience and there are friends there to support us and the staff, it just makes you feel, you know, great and and warm inside. And
018so, I just want to thank the staff and uh those that came to listen to our presentation and be there to support us. So, thank y'all. >> I actually like the the image that Dr. Hawkins had uh told me about. Made me an image on the presentation and T R A was >> Oh, we should have talked about that. >> Miss Sherry was What was it? Hot Wheels? >> And I was Turbo. So, it was a [clears throat] good good tag team on that presentation. So. >> it was a collaboration of ideas. I'm not going to sell anybody out. >> little bit of this, a little bit of that, yeah. So. >> As a new school board member, I had to sit through 10 hours of training on all things school board. Um I I
019was allowed to I got the privilege the privilege of it. So, I went through the Texas Trustee Institute and one thing that they really hammered on was the fact that we have um our product that we have is human capital. Um and we have such a responsibility, but also a privilege to be able to do that. Um and it was really good to be reminded like what is the main thing and it's making sure that our kids get a good education. Um and they also remind us like what are our what is our role and what are we supposed to do? And so, our role as a school board is for us to authorize and monitor what's going on with the school district. So, we authorize policies and then we monitor how those policies get
020put into place and what is the actual goal, but then it's this guy's job to make sure that they're recommend that those things are recommended and then implemented into our school district so that then we can then still monitor those things. And so, it was really good for me to you know within the first year to learn those things and be able to um hopefully put it into good practice. So, I was super thankful for the training that we were at. >> All right. >> And Mr. Wilburn, >> [clears throat] >> I I'm so sorry. He was on an Alaskan cruise during these two >> [laughter] >> these two conferences, but um he will be making up the 10 hours of training before the next meeting. >> [laughter] >> One minute at a time. [laughter]
021No, I like >> Doesn't he have to take the in-processing with the superintendent? >> Yeah, for sure. >> orientation and everything. >> Yeah, I mean 10 hours, he can do that between now and the next meeting. That's no big deal. But, um, I just had to get that in cuz cuz he asked me if there was anything he needed to catch up on. I was nice to him yesterday when I saw him. I said, "Oh, no, you're great, you know, you just you've only been off for a few months." And so, I thought I thought better of it today, like, "Oh, what can I tell him he has to do?" Anyway, just joking around as as we always do on this board. Makes life a lot more fun. So, anyway, we'll look forward to, uh,
022next June, and, uh, we'll have our Williams Ledger student program. >> Yeah, I think, uh, Ms. Cresswell put together one of the best days in, uh, the year. Um, you know, the, uh, the ability of the staff and students and administration support staff to be able to split their campus and to move halfway across town with a few weeks notice, uh, before the school year started was one that I thought that the the demons of all demons was fixing to come out. And people remarkably handled that with a lot of integrity and class. And, uh, collaboration, cooperation. And a lot of people went into making that successful. As we talked about on our tour when we when we did our tour at Williams Ledger. But, you know, they had a a program for us set
023up over there. so you know, like all things on my calendar, I'm like, "Okay, what's next? What's next?" So, I go to this program and it was it made my day, really and truly. And and and possibly one of the best days of the year um just from the standpoint of watching our students. >> [clears throat] >> And the impact that this this move made on our students was authentic gratitude. And it was gratitude towards people that they didn't even know. You know, you had our folks with the restoration company that was there and these kiddos come up and we're giving them cards and everything and they were moved to tears. >> They were. >> And you know, uh staff members come through and was thanking Ms. Manning and and everything and staff members were
024moved to tears. And you know, I just think to Jim Valvano's speech about wouldn't it be great if every day you were moved to tears. And I saw all the impact on those kids and I thought, you know, >> [clears throat] >> we get into this deal about testing and we talk about standardized testing and and we talk about test scores and got reporters that write stories and compare different communities information and stuff like that. But that's the biggest story of the year. Because the things that they learned on that day [clears throat] might have been greater than anything they learned throughout the year because it's truly about life and that's the power of public education. We're teaching those kids those things and the way the adults handled that move was mirrored mirrored in the
025way that those children handled the move. And so, I just couldn't have been more touched or moved by that and thankful to have been a part of that and got to witness that. So, Curtis, if you could >> You know, the first people you saw in that little video, uh they were the construction company. And I And course, you know, uh we have a family building business, and I I walked over to them at the end. I said, "Have y'all ever been thanked like from the from children before like this?" And they said, "They I mean, they they had been I I could see them crying when the kids came over and handed them the posters and the thank yous." And they said, "Never. This was the neatest thing that we've ever been through in
026our lives." And so, I I just was so That just touched me so much that that our kids would would have that effect on them. And I could tell that they were cuz they were having that effect on all of us. We We just couldn't believe how how excited and sweet those those children were. And uh Anyway, it was a it Like Dr. Hawkins said, it was a it was a surprisingly great day. And Mrs. Creswell, thank you so much for everything you had to do to get that going cuz I know that was a lot of work for you, too. >> In my Bible study this morning, that's one of the things we talked about was [snorts] the, you know, even on our worst day, we live in the United States of America. And
027even on our worst day, we serve a powerful God. And and I'm so thankful that he blessed me with the things he blessed me with and that was truly a blessing. And so, thank you for that, Ms. Preston. Great to be a part of it. >> All right. We'll go on to our information items. Um are these [clears throat] are they going to are they just written? >> Uh yes, all all of the information items have been provided to you. Uh if there's no questions, we can go on to the administrative reports. >> All right. All right. Our first administrative report is the bond 2025 update from GLS and Berry and Clay. >> So, we have three people here with us that y'all have seen at some point before and uh we appreciate them. You
028know, uh I I know the community has not seen this. >> [clears throat] >> Uh but there has been a lot of work by these individuals and by our staff just trying to make sure that everything's done the way that it needs to be done uh to have a successful construction project. And so, we're glad that we're at the point that now, you know, we'll start getting more and more regular reports from our our architects and our construction manager at risk. And so, at this time, folks, we'll kind of turn it over to you. >> How are y'all doing? Um so, we just want to get in front of you tonight and give you a little update on where we are uh on all the bond work. Like he said, an immense amount of work
029has been happening behind the scenes uh with several of our team members here on campus uh touring um the facilities again more in-depth. Uh spent my morning this morning crawling above ceiling at the high school today figuring out some information. So, we've been doing all of those necessary pieces to make sure that we are uh understanding the buildings in the way that we need to and planning them properly. We started a regular meeting process both in person and virtually with Dr. Hawkins, Dr. Shaw. Miss Crowley. And so we all kind of get together and make sure we're providing the right updates to the district that we are achieving your wants and your needs. And so where where we are right now is we have decided based on logistics, scoping, sizing, and everything of the three
030different projects meaning junior high, Fairview Miss Jewel, and the high school that that is the order that we will be rolling out the packages to go into construction. And so the junior high will roll first. We are on target right now. I I don't want to guarantee it, but right now we're on target for the first week of July and delivering those drawings to the construction manager for him to begin his process reviewing those and pricing those and then ultimately we'll get those out to bid. Fairview Miss Jewel will follow that about 30 days later in early August. And then the high school being a much larger, much more complicated piece that will be set to deliver in January and be out to bid shortly thereafter. So we're we're on target. Right now we're we're
031optimistic about budgeting and where we stand on those and being able to to deliver everything that we promised during the bond. So we're just we're moving along and want to be here to answer any questions that y'all might have for us through this process. >> Questions? >> I got one. Any by chance through this process either by now or even after July July 1st, would the board be able to see any renderings or blueprints of it just just out of curiosity? >> So, we'll get to that point. It's just right now it's it's the really technical portions of it. But, you know, we today we went and did a lot of finishes and things like that and and we brought a lot of physical samples of flooring and countertops and the paint chips and different
032things like that. And once all of those decisions are made, what we'll do is we will create a a digital finish board. Uh and we'll be able to to distribute that out. And then in some instances there will be uh you know, some some rendering components that will will show you. Definitely at the high school for sure because of how much we're changing that one. Uh but but there's something along the line when we get into this process you know, questions or concern about what something might look like, we could we could put something together specific instance that you're wanting to see. Uh but now that all the finishes have been selected, we would >> [clears throat] >> kind of step into that that area. >> Awesome. Thank you for that. >> All right. Anyone
033else? A question? >> I just like to to thank the architects for all the work that they've put in because, you know, when we met Mr. Larry Lassiter here in this room, you know, I told you that he was a guy that you know, would squeeze a penny and, you know, Lincoln would murmur >> [laughter] >> as he let go of him. And that's the best way I can describe Larry. But, uh Hudson is is in that same firm and they carry on that value. And so, you know, we made a a promise to the uh committee. And let me just say this is that these two people sat through that whole committee planning process. It was a committee planning process that went through different educational components as well as, you know, scope defined definition
034in those in those meetings and prioritization. >> [clears throat] >> And so the committee will be revived as we go through kind of the bond process and construction starts to to be, you know, they're they're the people who brought the recommendation forward. And so they're going to be kind of a bond oversight committee that looks and and and sees that and you know, comes back and talks to the board and says, "Hey, job well done." Including two other committees, Golden Dogs. You know, they've they've went through Williams Ledger and and kind of done a tour there. And then the superintendent student advisory committee, too, will be part of that. So you'll be getting some information back from those folks. But uh you know, thank you for your design and thank you for the hard work
035that you going into maximize for the students in this community. >> Happy to do it. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> Uh my name's Stephen Berry. I'm the project manager for Berry & Clay and I'll be kind of been reviewing all the plans that we have on the junior high right now and they look really good. I think uh our biggest concern is how we're going to kind of make the junior high flow during campus time, you know, during the school year. So we're looking at different avenues of how to renovate while we're having class without disrupting students and staff. And so that's kind of become the hardest campus that we have because I think the the elementary is going to be a lot easier. We have a lot more space. So that's
036something I'm going to probably going to have to schedule some more meetings about. But the plans are looking good. I feel like, you know, like they said, Larry Lasher you know, he's he's notorious for for having 50 cents of every dollar he ever made. And And so he he carries that on through the staff and he expects me to do the same thing when I bid this. So, when we when we do get out to bid and we want to bid pretty soon, you know, I know they're going to have the plans ready, but we want to make sure that y'all have plenty of time to review them before we put them out and we don't make major changes after the sub contractors see them because that's when it's kind of hard to to get
037the money back. When they've seen it, it's like, we're kind of down that road. So, we want to make sure that, you know, we have a good plan for the start of school and the duration of this. And so, you know, you'll start seeing us a lot more now. I've had my staff come out and take pictures of of all the junior high and Fairview Miss Jewell. So, we we've got a good a good plan and so we can do a good plan review for the assistant uh Hudson and Jennifer there take the sign. Uh so, you know, you'll any questions or anything? I just kind of hard to to kind of give more information right now, but but the plans do look good. I mean, I think it's and then, you know, if y'all
038want access when we do get started, we do keep everything on Fieldwire. This is the junior high right now, so everything's on one one area. So, you can look on the plans, you can also see submittals, you can see color renderings and like that. So, if something that that y'all want to have access to, I'll be able to give y'all access to what we use as our Fieldwire project management system. >> Thank you so much. >> Appreciate you. >> We did uh the the district did we're going to do some asbestos surveying pretty soon. So, that was something that we I appreciate y'all getting on that so quick because that'll also help with the knowing if we had any issues on the junior high. Y'all have a great afternoon. Appreciate you. >> Thank you, sir.
039>> All right. >> So, next item on here is student outcomes and we have Dr. Crawley going to talk to us about student outcomes. And before she starts, I just like to say that uh I I'm I'm really amazed at what goes on from a media reporting. Obviously not our new our local newspaper, Lynette. Don't don't beat me up in the newspaper about what I'm saying here, but I I see media sometimes get a drift at sea because the complexity of accountability system. And I I see people pick out they start cherry-picking different parts and aspects of And And I don't know if it's from a motive of trying to say, "Hey, this is why a school district is doing good." Or "This is why they're trying to do bad." Or whatever the case may
040be. But you you see uh a district that if they make three comparisons and they say, "Oh, this district's leading the area in in in in scores." And And And they're not. They're in the bottom third of the state of Texas. And so, um I I know it's complicated. I know it's confusing from time to time. But I would just like to remind everybody that that don't don't don't judge too quick. Nothing's as good as it seems or as bad as it seems. And I And I And I'm very uh appreciative of Amanda and her department, Dr. Crawley and her department, and and all of the staff uh that has poured into this. I feel really good about where we are, and I feel really even good about knowing where we are and the things
041we need to do to take the next steps. You know, if you know where you are, but you don't really know how to get to the next steps, that's that's a problem. And I And I feel I feel real confident cuz I feel real confident in our people. But again, you know, you can look on SchoolDigger, or you can wait till August when this data comes out. I think Amanda's going to talk about some projections anyway, but I I'm very proud of where we are with everything because I know that while I may not agree in totality with the star assessment, I know that our kids are doing well on it. And and as a whole, um that helps them not only from a content standpoint, from a critical thinking standpoint, but from an emotional
042standpoint of knowing that they can do and succeed in life. >> Thanks, Dr. Hawkins. Okay. So, I'm going to kick us off really quickly and just touch on we're going to start with last year because special education data is lagging data and so we're going to start with our special education data that talks about the year of 2025. So, this is this is that lagging data and so it is incumbent upon us to review our special education data at least once per year and talk about how our students are doing. I do want to highlight that Copperas Cove ISD received an overall special education determination level of meets requirements or a DL1, which is the highest special ed determination level that a district can receive. And so we'll be getting another one of those in
043August and they'll release our 2026 data then at that point. Additionally, our special education students are performing relatively well on our star passing rates and so you can see that in reading language arts we have 52.1% of our special education students passing and that's in 3-8. In math, 47.6% in science, 42.6% and in social studies, 32% which you'll see is very much those scores follow the all students ranges within the district. And so this is at approaches and then for our star EOC special education for biology we were at 82.1% US history was 79.8% algebra one was 64.3% and then English one and two they do a combination for our special education students and that was 42.5% So we have some things to celebrate there and I'm going to talk a little bit more with
044you about all students here in just a moment so you'll be able to compare. For our graduation rate we had a 87.3% graduation rate just for our special education students as they are separated out and we had 99% of those students who did not if we look at a four year or a five year or a six year by the time we hit six year we had 99% graduated only a 1% dropout rate there for our special education students. So we do feel like that is is good data to have. We're always working for 100% but but we're happy we're happy with the direction that we're headed there. And then for our discipline we do track our disciplinary removals as well. For our special education students so we have this is not the number 2012
045like 2012 the year this is 2012 special education students in the district of those 2012 319 of them had either ISS OSS or DAP placement of one or any of the other at some point and so that was 15.9% which is below or meets the state target >> [cough] >> and so they just [clears throat] want to make sure that we're not over suspending our special education students when they're represented against our general education population, and we are not. And so, then you can see what that indicator includes there. This is a big highlight for us as a district. In 2025, I did give you the 2026 calculation here cuz we were able to calculate it. In 2025, we had 60 of 75 special education graduates that met CCMR, which is 80%, and then we
046now know because we just graduated our 2026 class that we had 68 of 81 special education grads that were also CCMR complete this year, so that's 84%. So, we are seeing an improvement in the district overall, but also in our special education population, which is something that we're particularly excited about. And so, I wanted to talk about that. Now, I'm going to take you over to our general education rates, and we're going to look at Well, I did include for you the handout that we gave out talking about our CCMR at and our CTE at the high school. And so, I included that for you as well, which shows that we did receive a distinction designation for post-secondary readiness. In student achievement, we were a 90 A at the high school and student achievement, and
047that was in large part due to that graduation rate and our CCMR rate at Copperas Cove High School and Crossroads High School. And so, then on the back or the second page there, you can see that our total CCMR was that 97%. Again, that's that lagging data, so we're projecting uh to be at 99% this year. and you'll see where we got 100 of a out of 100 on school quality, which measures um our students' readiness for college, uh workforce, and military across all student groups. And so, that data is there. And then what you're seeing up here is an area uh that we are working on in our district. This is our third-grade math scores for uh math scores, and then below that you'll see the reading scores for CCISD. I did give you
048some comparisons um data here, where you have some other districts as well as the region and the state. And so, you can see how Copperas Cove third graders are performing in relation um to the state and the district and the region average, um as well as some of those other um comparables uh there. And so, uh just to read all this out loud really quickly for you, we are at um 63% approaches in third-grade math, 33% meets, and 13% masters. And then in third-grade reading, 71% approaches, 43% meets, and 18% masters. And so, that is I'm going to identify a couple of areas that we are working on in the district, uh and third grade is one of those areas. I would like to take you to the next page, which is fourth grade. And
049I'm going to get there here. And for fourth grade, you can see that Copperas Cove um outperformed the region and the state at 73% approaches, 52% meets, and 25% masters in math. And then fourth-grade reading, we also outperformed the region and the state at 84% approaches, 58% meets, and 21% masters. So, um fourth grade is definitely an area where uh we're doing well and continuing to grow and see our students be successful. And then here um in fifth grade is the next page. We are outperforming the region and the state at 82% approaches in fifth grade math, 54% meets, and 20% masters. And then in fifth grade reading, [cough] you [clears throat] can see we're also there above the region and the state at 82% approaches, 63% meets, and 36% masters. So, very excited about
050how our students are doing in elementary. Just working on those third graders as they take STAR for the very first time. >> part. >> Getting them very prepared and ready because you can see that they do know their content at fourth and fifth grade. Just really working on getting them comfortable with that assessment. Um and then in sixth grade, um moving on here to sixth grade math and reading. Uh we are at 79% approaches, 45% meets, 18% masters for math. And then at sixth grade reading uh 71% approaches, 50% meets, 23% masters. And so we are right at the region uh but still in sixth grade reading, we're still working to um exceed the state there. But in sixth grade math, our students are outperforming um both the region and the state. And then for
051seventh grade math we take pre-algebra in CCISD. We have an accelerated math track. And so you'll see uh for pre-algebra scores, we have 77% approaches, 53% meets, and 13% masters. and then in seventh grade reading, we have 79% approaches, 53% meets and 24% masters. So, uh exceeding the region and the state there at uh meets and approaches uh in in both of those areas and and to some extent uh we're we're exceeding the region in pre-algebra in masters. So. Um and then moving to Algebra 1, I mentioned that accelerated math track, so you'll see Algebra 1 show up on here a couple times. Um and so our eighth graders take Algebra 1. And so the top line there, Copperas Cove, um on the top line, you'll see all students. That also includes our high school
052students are in that um in that numerical representation there. And then if you look right below that, you'll see our first-time testers. Those are our junior high testers. And so our first-time testers scored 85 84% approaches, 49% meets, and 23% masters. And then at eighth grade reading, we're 84% approaches, 52% meets, and 23% masters. Uh proud of proud of some of these um areas of growth here. Social studies at eighth grade uh is consistently a challenging test uh across the state, but uh we're happy that we uh are either at or um in some areas above the region uh in social studies. And so Copperas Cove is 56% approaches, 28% meets, and 11% masters. That is definitely an area we're still working. >> What is it? What is it about that test that that it
053tests out so low for everybody? It's very heavily based in um a lot of charts, graphs, um heavy passage reading. They'll give cartoons and it's a historical cartoon from the past and the students have to interpret the meaning of that cartoon. So, it's that particular test is tricky and proves to be more challenging. If you look over at our high school US history scores, they're the opposite. But, that test is just a totally different test of US history and the the eighth grade exam. If you look at them side by side, there's no comparison. The the eighth grade social studies is a very difficult exam to take and so actually can send you some of those so you can see cuz it's a booger. >> Well, it's got to be because the state >> [laughter]
054>> the state's, you know, 56% and that's you know, that's just >> Well, and you saw when I was talking about the special education scores at the very beginning, you saw the history scores. But, >> Yeah. >> It it changes your perspective of, you know, how it really ranks and stacks up there. So, it's very interesting. Okay, so moving to English one, we had some good success here at English one. Copperas Cove was 75% approaches, 57% meets, and 9% masters. And then English two, 76% approaches, 64% meets, and 7% masters. And so, you can see our approaches there is exceeding and meets are exceeding the state and the region. And then looking at biology and our US history, Copperas Cove in biology has 93% approaches, 73% meets, and 29% masters. And then US history, we
055are at 94% approaches, 74% meets, and 37% masters and so >> Big difference, you're right. >> Yes, big big difference and so it's not just like they they don't um just finally get it in high school. The tests are very very different of what they're assessing and the way they're assessing it. So um they're both they're both good tests. It's just very very different. And so then um and uh there's lots of people here if if they want to say anything. >> [laughter] >> Cats like no. >> Uh college, career, and military readiness is on the back page and so um as you can see um CCMR for Copperas Cove ISD um 98% in 2025 and 99% 2026 um and outperforming the state average there of 82%. We do not have the state average uh
056for 2026 but we we should get that in August and then I'll be able to report that as well. So that brings me to the end of our report on special education and our star scores updates. I will say we have May Stevens um A to F accountability rating uh follows the district's accountability rating and uh we have um 10 campuses who will be rated um on that A to F uh rating scale and those will be due out in August and so I'll be able to report out on that but I want to tell you that the success that I highlighted for you here today has also um we're projecting that it will translate uh well in our A to F accountability in addition to our star scores. We saw a lot of student
057growth um which is heavily heavily weighted in our A to F accountability as you know. And so um I'm very excited about uh how those 10 campuses that will be uh rated on our A-F scale are going to perform, and I'm I'm excited to bring that to you in August. >> And thank everybody in that corner over there. Y'all [clears throat] Y'all Don't you I just have a comment that, you know, I'm I'm I didn't get a lot of sleep this last week because Ms. Manning let me keep eating when we were at conference, and you know, when you got a >> [laughter] >> big old fat belly that's full, you can't really sleep real good. And so, I was having problems >> It's all my fault. >> And now I'm sleep deprived, and so
058But so, I'm a little bit cranky. >> not order that. >> And so, I I I just wanted to to reiterate things that Amanda said is because you get this deal of Well, how come Copperas Cove is is getting beat by these other schools in algebra? Because our eighth graders take algebra. Okay? You So, you know, it'd be the same thing as as coach uh uh uh uh Southern going and playing somebody with his freshman team, and they got all seniors. Well, I mean, it So, it's the same thing academically. Uh but when you break it out there and you see those first-time testers, we're at 84 with eighth graders, and these and these other schools have got, you know, high schoolers that they're that they're representing here. So, I wanted to to note that,
059but I also wanted to tell you that I'm sick and tired of reading on Twitter all these people that say that the the eighth graders in the state of Texas can't read. There's only 30% of eighth graders in the state of Texas that can read, and I see that over and over again. And the first thing I want to reiterate is this is not a literacy test. The state of Mississippi gives a literacy test. And if you want to hear about the Mississippi miracle, uh right now they're smarter than some of our people in Texas. I never thought I'd say that there were smarter people outside of Texas. But in this instance, they're smarter because the state of Mississippi has a literacy test. Our test is a criterion reference test that is is is is
060not compatible making references against what Mississippi and Texas does because we have a critical thinking test. And it's all the way down into those third graders. And so when Amanda's talking about the social studies test, the math test as you saw on take two with Hawk, Curtis put that problem up there is the same thing. Kids have to be able to to to read and make comparisons. So as you look at Copperas Cove reading, 80 and then they'll say, "Well, if you meet, you passed." And that's a fallacy, too. Approaches is passing in the state of Texas. But they don't want to call it that because the the gurus on Twitter can jump over and say, "Well, you didn't meet." Only 52% passed. No, 52% means that when they go to high school, they should
061need no interventions in order to to be successful. And so we have 84% approaches. What about the other 16? I would bet you a plugged nickel against a that those 16% can read. Those of you who Heather, you went on the the tour of of uh Fairview Jewel and you saw those kindergarteners, and what were they doing? They were reading. And so at some point, get your prayer clause and pray to the good Lord that sense would fall across our state and people would start giving a literacy test so that what credits actually earned is credits given. The kids of the state of Texas need that and the staff and teachers of the state of Texas need that instead of something that's kind of tries to skew things in the other direction. But nonetheless, I'm
062proud of Amanda and and all her department and staff and teachers, parents and students do for the little dogs. >> Thank you, Dr. [snorts] Hawkins. I do want to say our our principals are here tonight and our chiefs are here tonight and there is no no one better. I would put them up against any other district. We have the best of the best and they work really really hard to help our students perform as well as they did and they continue to work hard to target areas where they want to improve. And so, I just wanted to say thank you to each one of you and just praise your work because what I I do get to the pleasure of presenting it but it's it's all of your sweat and tears [clears throat] and time
063and effort that have gone into that. So, thank you so much. >> I'd actually like to comment. This this is a perfect recruiting recruiting tool to why you need to come to Copperas Cove. This is these numbers numbers don't lie and uh I actually love these numbers. >> All right, we have our construction update. >> Yes, I just like to reiterate outside of the bond we've already hit on that, but you know, we've got other construction projects that's been going on. April, I'm sorry, August the 3rd at 2:00 the Lord willing, we're going to do a ribbon cutting at Williams Ledger Elementary. Ms. Creswell, if you didn't know that, what do they say? If you didn't know, now you know. So, we we look forward to that Um, and going over there and and getting
064that. Now, we have our final inspection on that campus on Wednesday, and we're and we're cautious cautiously optimistic that we'll pass, and then we can occupy that campus again. I know Ms. Creswell's ready to start moving back in there and and and getting that thing taken care of. And so, that's that's exciting. Uh, also Dr. Shook provided us with this information here. You know, we were shut down the the code cops got us and shut us down on our our playgrounds. And so, uh, those are back up and running for a small nominal fee. And, uh, we have William William Wright >> [laughter] >> W- Cliff didn't think that was too small. He almost started his hair worried about it, too, didn't he? >> [laughter] >> He said, "Rob, call the police, son." So, uh,
065William Ledger uh, the the uh, are starting concrete border layout and piers for shades. And then an inspection will follow uh, before uh, the install starts. Halstead playground install, uh, should be done in two to three days. The curbs and pier inspection will be tentatively tomorrow. Martin Walker, the flat work, the pier, uh, inspection passed today. The playgrounds are 99% complete beside the back order items. The next step is stone and surfacing. Uh, House Creek uh, curb and pier inspections passed today. The playgrounds will start in two to three days after the Halstead is after Halstead is complete. Clements Parsons, uh, playground is 99% complete besides the back order items. Uh the next step is stone and surfacing. The pier and curb inspection is again tentatively for tomorrow. Fairview Jewel, there's no work started yet
066as we have been kind of planning and collaborating and working with the architect. Uh but it should there should be starting curbs and layout by the end of this week or early next week. Um track work uh is the striper uh should be here in possibly a week. >> [clears throat] >> Striper. >> Did I say striper? >> [laughter] >> I was like, really? >> I wasn't going to say interrupt. >> We were all like >> I left it alone. >> That was >> [laughter] >> That was A FREUDIAN STRIP. FREUDIAN STRIP. >> BECAUSE there's actually going to be the SC Lee track that's fixing to get stripped. >> [laughter] >> So >> What in the kind of striper you >> Thank you, though. I assure you >> They will strip. >> So >> back
067to the beginning. >> [laughter] >> Please striped. >> The striper will be here in about a week. And the track uh will be striped at that point. It is blue and gold right now. So if you see it, you can see that. The and I'm afraid to even say it. The stripping will start to take place >> Uh-oh. [laughter] >> at SC Lee. >> What time is that? >> Within this week. Uh So hopefully we'll get that done. >> We're not going to let this go, sir. >> Will [laughter] there will there be streakers on the >> I I I can't uh this is sleeping in old church and pastor I guess it is. This is what we can sing when it all starts to happen. So do you have any questions about striper striping
068or [laughter] playgrounds? >> Our Our Freudian slips, right? >> [laughter] >> Oh, that was a good one. Any questions? All righty, let's go to our consent agenda. >> I told you a full belly didn't do good for sleep deprivation, [laughter] either, so. >> I I'm afraid for uh Dr. Hawkins to explain these items to us, but you know, if if y'all have any questions, hopefully you won't have too many questions. Well, we might let him explain them to [laughter] us. >> [gasps] >> Our consent agenda this month consists of the Board of Trustees meeting minutes for May 4th, 2026, a special called workshop meeting May 11th, 2026, a special called meeting and May 12th, 2026, our regular meeting. Then we have budget amendments. We have budget amendments to the 2025-2026 fiscal year fund 199 operating
069budget. We have some items exceeding $50,000. First, the technology fiber optic network service agreement, WAN Rack LLC, e-rate and state funded. Then the purchase of Clear Touch interactive boards with stands and voice amplification [clears throat] microphone kits. It's TIPS 230901-226. Uh excuse me, it's 2 $226,948.96, and that's from budgeted funds. We have the purchase of technology and infra- infrastructure service, internet and wide area network service, and this is Spectrum e-rate bid of $43,470. Again, budgeted funds. And then we'll consider and approve the 2026-2027 ESC contracts, consider and approve superintendent constraints, and consider and approve the yearly board meeting planning calendar, and consider and approve the board meetings calendar. Now, the calendar is subject to change as we go along. Sometimes things get moved around, especially since we cannot work or meet during the day. And
070so, sometimes things come up at night that we have to change them for. But, that's kind of our basic calendar for the next year. Dr. Hawkins? Explanation for anything? >> Um just I would say the budget amendments. When you start to see budget amendments, people sometimes wonder, "What's going on with all those budget amendments?" Well, there were items that were approved through the year, uh and so, we're catching up. You've already approved them. Now, the money's being moved um to pay for those. And then, item C there, I would say that that's >> TIPS uh >> grant $2 million project that didn't cost anybody anything around here. I might point out. The well. And then, those interactive boards there are we will pay in September for those. Uh but, he's going ahead and pulling that
071through with TIPS. Um the ESC contracts, that's just standard contracts that we have collaboratively with our service center. Superintendent constraints, that's not a change. We just approve those every year. Board meeting calendar and planning calendar, again, are just um are just a a target that we're looking at to try to have our meetings on. And the planning calendar is just that. It's the point of creation for Ms. Manning and I whenever we start to work collaboratively to to go through the agenda drafting process. So, any questions? >> Questions, anyone? >> No one. >> All right. If there aren't any questions, we'll go ahead and adjourn our meeting at 7:03 p.m. >> No, we won't. Madam President, I move that we approve the consent agenda. >> Oh, we didn't We did not approve it. Okay. >>
072the motion. >> Okay, we have a motion by Mr. Gallant. Excuse me. >> [laughter] >> Yeah. I almost said something not very nice, so >> [laughter] >> it's good that they stopped me. No, no, I'm glad I'm glad you stopped me. We have a motion by Mr. Gallant [clears throat] and seconded by Mr. Traeger, and now we'll start down there with Sherry um for a vote yay or nay. >> Yay. >> The motion carries unanimously. And now at 7:04 p.m. we'll adjourn our meeting. Y'all have a great evening. Thank you for coming and laughing with us.