Purple Star Campuses, a deep dive into salaries in CCISD & Money Matters coming soon - Sept. 9, 2026
Kurtis & Dr. Hawkins talk discuss the Purple Star Designated Campuses in Copperas Cove ISD, as well as the new website in the district and the goal surrounding the switch. Plus, a lengthy deep dive into salaries in CCISD, including what steps have been taken and where the district goes from here. Finally, understanding the soon-to-come Money Matters informational effort the district will launch in the coming days.
Dr. Hawkins' School Finance Presentation (From Aug. 31st Board Meeting) (https://youtu.be/xC3VxaimT5Q?si=-kz6YZINvsfrWkeW&t=3821)
April 2025 Staffing Study (https://youtu.be/D67_XeZ-GI4?si=mou3QB8f3xNjpX-T)
Table of Contents:
0:00 Welcome
0:34 Good Things: Purple Star Campus Designations
05:41 Good Things: New Website Launched
13:40 Talking Salaries: What steps has CCISD taken?
29:30 Talking Salaries: Where do we need to get?
34:03 Talking Salaries: What challenges exist in improving staff salaries?
41:35 Talking Salaries: What does a personnel & salary study truly entail?
48:55 Talking Salaries: Why wasn’t a VATRE recommended to the trustees?
56:22 Talking Salaries: What is the next step?
58:15 Talking Salaries: Living proof of Dr. Hawkins’ report
01:13:56 Understanding Public-Private Partnerships
01:22:30 Looking Forward: Money Matters coming soon
20 Aug 2026
Back to School, CCHS Best in Nation, Budget & School Finance, Bulldawg Ambassadors & Staff Retention - August 20, 2026
Kurtis and Dr. Hawkins discuss the first day of school (both times!) and how the district navigated the recent Copperas Cove water emergency. Plus, the current state of the budget and tax rate which will be presented to the trustees on Aug. 31st, what went into the decision to not renew the district's contract with Communities In Schools, Copperas Cove High School's prestigious award from the U.S. News & World Report, Screen Time and the nuances around it in schools, state accountability ratings and the secret sauce behind them and the coming Bulldawg Ambassador program.
Table of Contents:
0:00 Welcome
0:47 Good Things - 1st Day of School… Twice!
12:46 Good Things - Stuff the Bus
17:50 Good Things - CCHS a U.S. News & World Report Best High School
22:57 Budget/Tax Rate & School Finance
31:35 Balancing a Budget
48:55 Communities In Schools & the redistribution of those duties
56:21 Screen Time and the misconceptions of technology in schools
01:08:26 Bulldawg Ambassador Program
01:21:47 Looking Forward - Growth in Schools & Staff Retention
01:26:09 A quick message to parents
25 Jun 2026
Bulldawgs in the record books, student outcomes, survey results and the CEP program - June 25, 2026
Kurtis & Dr. Hawkins discuss a series of awards in Lemonade Day and Athletics, which placed multiple Bulldawgs in various record books. Plus, understanding student outcomes on state-mandated assessments and the work that went into making those results happen. Finally, an in-depth discussion on the first year of the district's participation in the Community Eligibility Provision program and what that initiative looks like moving forward.
Table of Contents:
0:00 Welcome
0:31 Good Things: Lemonade Day Awards
09:50 Good Things: Kyra Gaston in the record book
13:19 STAAR & EOC results
20:54 Instructional Services survey results and the secret sauce to student outcomes
36:29 Bond 2025 Update
47:29 Board of Trustees Meeting Recap & Construction Update
54:12 Looking Forward: Community Eligibility Provision & its impact in Cove
01:01:44 Coming Soon to CCISD
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