Back to School, CCHS Best in Nation, Budget & School Finance, Bulldawg Ambassadors & Staff Retention - August 20, 2026

Kurtis and Dr. Hawkins discuss the first day of school (both times!) and how the district navigated the recent Copperas Cove water emergency. Plus, the current state of the budget and tax rate which will be presented to the trustees on Aug. 31st, what went into the decision to not renew the district's contract with Communities In Schools, Copperas Cove High School's prestigious award from the U.S. News & World Report, Screen Time and the nuances around it in schools, state accountability ratings and the secret sauce behind them and the coming Bulldawg Ambassador program.Table of Contents:0:00 Welcome0:47 Good Things - 1st Day of School… Twice!12:46 Good Things - Stuff the Bus17:50 Good Things - CCHS a U.S. News & World Report Best High School22:57 Budget/Tax Rate & School Finance31:35 Balancing a Budget48:55 Communities In Schools & the redistribution of those duties56:21 Screen Time and the misconceptions of technology in schools01:08:26 Bulldawg Ambassador Program01:21:47 Looking Forward - Growth in Schools & Staff Retention01:26:09 A quick message to parents