Celina Independent School District (CISD) is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth, mirroring the rapid expansion of the city itself. This growth presents both challenges and opportunities for the district, its students, and the community at large.
Soaring Enrollment Numbers
CISD is experiencing a dramatic increase in student enrollment. Projections indicate that by the 2033-34 school year, the district could have over 22,450 students—triple its current enrollment. This explosive growth is pushing the district to its limits, with 99% of CISD’s functional capacity expected to be reached by 2026.
New Schools on the Horizon
To accommodate this growth, CISD is embarking on an ambitious expansion plan:
- Tommie Dobie Bothwell Elementary School opened its doors in August 2024, marking the district’s fourth elementary school.
- A fifth elementary school is expected to open in fall 2025.
- A second middle school is planned for fall 2026.
- Looking further ahead, the district anticipates operating three to four high schools within the next 20 years, with the second high school projected to open in 2029 or 2030.
Staffing Challenges and Innovative Solutions
With each new elementary school requiring around 55 employees to operate, CISD faces significant staffing challenges. To address this, the district is taking innovative approaches:
- Partnering with Abilene Christian University to offer a fully online degree program and professional development pathways for educators in the Celina area.
- Offering a 10% reduction on all ACU online programs for CISD employees, along with a waived application fee.
- Focusing on developing their own staff and creating opportunities for long-time employees to grow alongside the district.
Financial Considerations
While increased enrollment could potentially boost the district’s state revenue, it also comes with increased staffing and operations costs. The district’s budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year stands at $87.82 million, with about $1.94 million being pulled from the fund balance to offset a revenue shortfall.
Looking to the Future
As CISD continues to grow, community involvement will be crucial. The district is forming a community bond committee to help determine future needs, which may include new schools, school buses, and facility maintenance.
Superintendent Thomas Maglisceau emphasizes the importance of community engagement, stating, “We don’t do anything without trying to engage fully with our community [and] to have our community help make some of those determinations with us.”
While the rapid growth brings challenges, it also brings opportunities. As Principal Kristen Aune of Bothwell Elementary notes, “We have a lot of new families and a lot of teachers new to the area, but we’re … teaching them the ways of Celina and how to help one another.”
As Celina ISD navigates this period of extraordinary growth, the focus remains on providing quality education and creating a strong, supportive community for all students and families.