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Celina ISD board hears elementary construction update, OKs bus-driver incentive

Celina ISD said its Sept. 21 board meeting included progress reports on three new elementaries slated for 2027-28, an enrollment and STAAR update, and unanimous approval of a $750 bus-driver referral incentive.

Opal Carrington

September 24, 20262 min read

Celina ISD's Board of Trustees met Sept. 21 for its regularly scheduled meeting, hearing updates on new elementary campuses, academic performance and transportation staffing, the district said in a Sept. 23 meeting recap.

Director of Construction and Facilities Planning David Fink reported on construction at Scott Elementary, Grumbles Elementary and Calvert Elementary. All three campuses are expected to open for the 2027-28 school year, according to Celina ISD.

Enrollment and academic performance

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Kyla Prusak presented a five-year accountability and academic performance update covering 2022 through 2026. Celina ISD enrollment nearly doubled in that period, growing from 3,359 to 7,159 students, while attendance reached a five-year high of 95.8%, the district said.

Celina ISD students continue to outperform both Region 10 and the state overall on STAAR, with 83% scoring at Approaches, 61% at Meets and 30% at Masters, according to the district.

College, Career and Military Readiness participation rose from 85% to 88%, and Advanced Placement participation grew as the number of students tested doubled and the share earning at least one score of 3 or higher increased from 59% to 75%, Celina ISD said.

Prusak said areas of focus going forward include monitoring student growth, strengthening tier 1 instruction through campus learning walks and instructional planning, and building systems and staffing capacity to sustain improvement, according to the district.

Bus drivers and transportation center

Director of Human Resources Mindy Schoen presented a bus-driver incentive program aimed at recruiting qualified drivers. The board unanimously approved a $750 total referral incentive for full-time current Celina ISD employees who refer new drivers, the district said.

Fink also discussed financial details for a new transportation service center in downtown Celina intended to house the district's growing bus fleet. The board unanimously approved that amendment, according to Celina ISD.

Other board business

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tom Maglisceau gave a district update that included campus highlights, a Celina High School college fair with more than 95 colleges and universities represented, and plans to begin exploring the Teacher Incentive Allotment in Celina ISD, the district said.

Two community members spoke during public comment. The board unanimously approved three items discussed in closed session and unanimously approved all consent agenda items, Celina ISD reported, without detailing those actions in the public recap.

The district posted its Sept. 2026 board meeting recap on the Celina ISD website.

Sources

celinaisd.com

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Opal Carrington

Opal Carrington writes about community life, schools, public safety, and events in fast-growing Celina.

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