COCISD reviews 2025-2026 academic accountability

COLDSPRING — Superintendent Bryan Taulton and COCISD analyzed the district’s recent academic accountability results at the Aug. 24 meeting.

Taulton reports that COCISD progressed by 6 points, moving the district from a D- to a C-rated school.

“The 2025–2026 school year represents COCISD's strongest overall academic performance since the implementation of TEA's A-F Accountability System in 2018,” said Taulton.

Taulton stated that no campuses were rated as an F by the TEA, while COHS makes COCISD history by earning its first-ever B rating.

Lincoln Junior High progressed from a F- to D-rated campus, which shows strong signs of growth for COCISD. LJH continues to be a high-level focused campus at COCISD, receiving strategic priorities with their “Turnaround Plan.”

The priorities include continued district-level support, heightening student achievement at meets and above across all assessed subject areas, strategic staffing and instructional programming (double blocking sixth- and seventh-grade math), retained eight of nine tested-subject area teachers, stabilize the sixth grade landing (fifth-sixth grade transition support), algebra I impact (lift the standard eighth-grade math track), and continue to heighten achievement in eighth-grade social studies and science.

“While we are proud of the progress we have made, we are not satisfied. We remain laser-focused on achieving even greater results this year,” Taulton said.

Taulton states that heightening math achievement district-wide, early numeracy and literacy (Jones Street Elementary and Coldspring-Oakhurst Intermediate School), sixth-grade transition support (LJH), sustaining algebra I and college, career and military readiness momentum, and closing district-wide gaps will be top priorities for the district moving forward.

“This success reflects the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our students, staff, and families throughout the year. Progress doesn’t pause, and neither does our commitment to every student. COCISD is committed to outcomes,” said Taulton.

In other business:

• the board approved the final amendments to the 2025-2026 budget.
• the board adopted the 2026-2027 district budget. Revenues are expected to be $19,989,423, while expenditures are expected to be $20,920,429.
• the board approved to adopt an ordinance setting a tax rate for the Coldspring-Oakhurst Consolidated Independent School District for the 2026 tax year. The approved rate is .65748, or 65.748 cents per $100 of property valuation, down from last year’s rate of .70840. The average tax bill could decrease $163.27.
• the board approved to decommit fund balance for any specific purpose.
• the board reviewed the State Board for Educator Certification professional development clearinghouse and approved the district's professional development plan.
• the board approved revisions to the 2026-27 Compensation Plan.