Celina ISD added more than 1,000 students and 240 new staff members since last year, Superintendent Dr. Tom Maglisceau reported at the board's Aug. 17 meeting, putting hard numbers on the district's rapid growth as the 2026-27 school year begins.
"Since this time last year, CISD has welcomed more than 240 new staff members and over 1,000 new students to the district," Dr. Maglisceau told trustees.
Two major facilities opened their doors this fall: a 233,000-square-foot Academic wing at Celina High School and the 205,000-square-foot Willard Middle School, a three-story campus near the Cross Creek neighborhood that includes fine-arts, athletics and collaborative-learning spaces, according to the district's meeting recap. Combined, the two buildings add 438,000 square feet of instructional space to a district that, as of April 2025, was absorbing roughly 800 new people per month.
That growth shows no signs of slowing.
Superintendent tapped for leadership academy
Board President Kelly Juergens announced that Dr. Maglisceau has been nominated and accepted into the Thompson Executive Leadership Academy, a competitive program facilitated by ESC Region 13 that admits fewer than 20 superintendents per year from Texas and surrounding states. Participants must be nominated and selected by an admissions committee; many qualified nominees are not chosen due to limited space.
The board unanimously approved moving its October meeting date so Dr. Maglisceau can attend.
Three more schools on the way
Director of Construction and Facilities Planning David Fink reported that Scott Elementary, Grumbles Elementary and Calvert Elementary are all under construction and slated to open for the 2027-28 school year. As we reported Aug. 14, the district has eight additional campuses in its long-range plan beyond those three.
Other board action
The board unanimously approved a Chapter 48/49 recapture payment agreement, which governs how the district pays the state back under Texas' school-finance equalization system. Trustees also approved consent-agenda items including a School Resource Officer interlocal agreement and a CDL training partnership with Sherman ISD.
Professional Learning Coordinator Catherine Gregory reported that 435 staff members participated in Curriculum Camp over the summer, part of a broader back-to-school preparation that included new staff orientation and inservice training.
One community member spoke during the public comment period. No action was needed from closed session.
What's next
The district's next regular board meeting will be in September; the October meeting date has been adjusted but the specific new date has not been announced. Scott, Grumbles and Calvert elementary schools remain on track for August 2027 openings.
