District looking at a $200,000 deficit
COUPLAND — Coupland Independent School District trustees Aug. 13 unanimously voted to place a voter- approval tax rate election on the Nov. 3 ballot, even though a similar initiative failed last year.
With the opening of the new Coupland Junior High and High School in August, the district could see a $200,000 deficit, prompting the need for a VATRE, Superintendent Earl Parcell said.
“Expenses are increasing at a rate higher than revenue … (The cost) of everything went up,” Parcell said during a previous meeting.
If successful this November, the VATRE would fund maintenance and operation expenses, including additional costs associated with the new school.
It would also give the district a “neutral” or “balanced” budget, officials heard.
“This increase would maximize the amount of state and local funding available through several avenues,” Parcell said. “Increased enrollment, attendance and basic allotment of funds are the main factors.”
In addition, Coupland ISD trustees approved a proposal to raise the school tax for the 2026-27 budget year by $1.19, split between 69 cents for maintenance and other operations and 50 cents for principal payments and interest on bond debt.
Overall, the Coupland school board projects a 4.57% tax rate increase, which will raise maintenance and operations taxes on a $100,000 home by about $33.
Meanwhile, Parcell highlighted several positive changes Coupland ISD has experienced recently, including an increase in starting teacher pay to $47,000 and staffing reaching 100% after adding 12 full-time employees.
Parcell noted the number of transfer students has hit its threshold as well. “Parents have heard what we can do, what we’ve done for kids and they want be here,” Parcell said. “It says something that they’re trying to get into Coupland. We tell them they absolutely can apply.”
Trustees also appointed Suzie Dunlop as a new board member. She will serve until 2028.
“Thank you for trusting me. I appreciate this a lot. Thank you for everything,” Dunlop said.
Dunlop is taking over for Royce Hatch, who stepped down a few months ago.
The next board meeting is 6 p.m. Sept. 10 in the junior and high school’s media center at 350 CR 460.
