CCISD purchases properties for future school sites

By BRITTANY FHOLER 

Cove Leader-Press 

The Copperas Cove Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the purchase of two parcels of property, one along China Road and one along Grimes Crossing Road, during their regular meeting Tuesday evening. 

The property along China Road is 26.05 acres of vacant land out of the Elizabeth Jones Survey, Abstract 551, Acres 115, with a contract sales price $338,650.00.

The property along Grimes Crossing Road is 30 acres of vacant land out of the J.H. McClaine Survey, Abstract 776, Acres 251, with a contract sales price of $450,000.  

The proposed contracts for both parcels have been finalized with the sellers, and both are expected to close today, January 15. 

During the meeting, it was mentioned that there was no specific earmarked purpose for either property.

“The property is being purchased for future school sites based on expected growth in the City of Copperas Cove,” said CCISD Deputy Superintendent of Operations and Support Dr. Rick Kirkpatrick in a statement to the Leader-Press on Wednesday. “The district examined property owned by developers that has been platted or is in the platting stage and sought these properties based on this information. Any zoning changes necessary will be done in accordance with the City of Copperas Cove’s ordinances. The purchase of these properties is coming from money designated by the board for property acquisition and is not coming from our current year budget. The property will remain vacant until needed for expansion.”

The board also approved the purchase of 1,860 student laptops and 62 device charging carts for a total of $599,542 from budgeted and ESSER Grant Funds with the approval of the consent agenda. These devices will add to the district’s existing inventory and increase the district’s capacity to further support instruction and assessment moving forward. The devices will also include a five-year warranty.

The board approved the acceptance of a donation from Isdale Chiropractic Clinic in the amount of $500 to go toward the Child Nutrition Program, and the donation of a trailer and $8,900 from the Pride of Cove Band and Guard Booster Club for Pride of Cove Band and Guard use. 

The district also recognized the Ted Smith Law Firm for their generous donation to the Angel Fund and the Child Nutrition Department. They also recognized the Copperas Cove Education Foundation for its donation of thousands of dollars in funds for the Innovative Teaching Grants for the 2020-2021 School Year. 

Lastly, the district recognized CCISD Assistant Network Engineer Stephen Ferguson for creating the winning 2020 CCISD Christmas card design.

The board approved a proposal for professional engineering services with Lockwood, Andrew & Newman, Inc. (LAN) for drainage improvements at Copperas Cove High School. The drainage study was completed by LAN and now, the district wishes to engage LAN to complete the design and survey phase, bidding phase and construction administration phase of the project, for a total cost of $254,650.00 plus the hourly rate for additional construction services should any be needed.

The board also approved a resolution to extend the time to use emergency paid sick leave for the 2020-2021 School Year for the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The FFCRA Emergency Paid Sick Leave expired on December 31, 2020 and was not renewed at the federal level, according to Superintendent Joe Burns. The number of cases in the community continue to rise, however, and the need for staff to quarantine or isolate remains. Extending this leave at a local level will allow employees to access this leave with the same parameters as before through June 30, 2021. The cost to the district is estimated to be less than $25,000 through June 30, 2021. 

The board also approved a T-TESS Appraiser for the remainder of the 2020-2021 School Year, selecting Veronica Maxe to be the approved appraiser. 

The board also accepted the annual Financial Audit Report for the Fiscal Year ending August 31, 2020. The board also approved a list of investment brokers that the district may use for investment purchases, as recommended by the Texas Education Agency. The list includes: First Public, LLC, TexPool, Samco Capital Markets, Frost Capital Markets, Edward Jones Investment, Inc., A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. and National United Bank.