Copperas Cove ISD Approves New Shaded Playgrounds for Six Schools

Copperas Cove ISD moved on two measures December 16 that affect students, families and staff across the district. Trustees approved shaded playground systems for all six K through 5 elementary campuses, bringing elementary play spaces in line with recent upgrades at the district Pre K campus Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy. The district says the new playgrounds will be installed before the start of the 2026 to 2027 school year and that architectural renderings are available on the Construction Updates page of the district website.

School leaders framed the playground purchase as a step toward facility equity across Copperas Cove. The district serves almost 8,000 students, and officials emphasized that consistent, modern outdoor facilities contribute to physical activity, peer interaction and the overall attractiveness of the district to families. Improvements to school amenities can influence household decisions about where to live and may also support broader goals of maintaining enrollment and local property tax base stability.

Trustees also approved hiring Dr. Lindsie Almquist as Executive Director of Human Resources. Almquist returns to school district human resources work after a year as Senior Director of Human Resources at Clark Land Resources and more than a year in a chief culture role at COPPERA where she oversaw pre apprenticeship and apprenticeship expansion. Her prior district experience includes two years as Director of Human Capital in Hutto ISD and a term as Executive Director of School Leadership and Campus Support in Austin ISD. Almquist taught for five years in Round Rock ISD and spent seven years as an assistant principal or principal in several Central Texas districts. She holds degrees from Texas A&M University, Texas State University and the University of Texas at Austin, along with senior level HR certifications from the HR Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management. She will begin her role when the district returns from Christmas break in January.

The Board of Trustees will hold a workshop at 6 p.m. January 12 followed by a regular meeting at 6 p.m. January 26 in the Board Room at the District Service and Training Center on South Main Street. Agendas are posted outside the center three business days prior and are available online once posted.