New Tech High's future debated; board members ask for a growth plan

New Tech High at Coppell drew many of the same defenses as the elementary programs: students and parents described New Tech as a distinct, supportive culture that offers project-based learning not replicable in a typical large high school. Multiple student leaders and parents spoke about the school's social-emotional and academic benefits and fundraising efforts.

Staff said the New Tech program has not consistently reached the optimal capacity needed to operate efficiently and that consolidating New Tech into Coppell High School and the 9th-grade center could yield estimated operating savings of about $2.1 million. Several trustees told staff they would be open to removing New Tech from consolidation consideration provided the district and campus present a concrete multi-year growth and sustainability plan; trustees asked staff to draft a 2-to-3-year action plan with measurable enrollment and cost targets before taking New Tech off the table permanently.