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Bryant retired from his superintendent role at Lubbock-Cooper ISD following the close of the 2024–25 school year, ending his tenure with the district. Impact Education Specialists works with school districts across Texas on leadership searches, district operations, and strategic planning.

Bryant is listed on the firm’s website as part of its leadership team, where his role will involve advising districts and education leaders statewide.

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Emergency crews are responding to a crash involving a school bus in south Lubbock.

Around 9 a.m., first responders were called to a two-vehicle crash involving a Lubbock-Cooper bus near 122nd and Indiana Avenue.

Lubbock police reports one person was moderately injuries and another suffered minor injuries.

It is unclear if there were children on the bus at the time of the crash. We’ve reached out to Lubbock-Cooper ISD for more information.

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Lubbock-Cooper ISD said Thursday it was prohibiting the use of cell phones in school, following the recent passing of Texas House Bill 1481. Effective at the start of the 2025-26 school year, LCISD will require all students to leave their personal communication devices at home or power them off and store them away and out of sight while on school property during the school day.

Read the full statement from LCISD below:

In June, the Texas Legislature passed HB 1481, regarding student use of personal communication devices. The act requires boards of trustees of school districts to adopt, implement, and ensure the district or school complies with a written policy prohibiting a student from using a personal communication device while on school property during the school day. The policy must establish disciplinary measures to be imposed for violation of the prohibition.

The act requires that the policy must either:

A) Prohibit a student from bringing a personal communication device on school property; or

B) Designate a method for the storage of a student’s personal communication device while the student is on school property during the school day.

The LCISD Board of Trustees chose to implement a policy designating a method for the storage of a student’s personal communication device while the student is on school property during the school day rather than banning student personal communication devices from campuses entirely.

Beginning with the start of the 2025-26 school year, Lubbock-Cooper ISD will require all students to leave their personal communication devices at home or power them off and store them away and out of sight while on school property during the school day.

The school day begins at the signal of the first bell and ends at the signal of the dismissal bell, and includes tutorial periods, all instructional time, lunch, and passing periods.

A personal communication device includes a telephone, cell phone such as a smartphone or flip phone, tablet, smartwatch, radio device, paging device, gaming devices, earbuds or headphones, or any other electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication. Earbuds or headphones may be permitted by a classroom teacher for instructional use only. Devices provided by the district are not subject to this restriction.

Students may use personal communication devices only if required by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Individual Accommodation Plan, or if the student has a documented medical directive for use of a personal communication device from a qualified physician.

You can review the policy in full, along with administrative procedures, disciplinary consequences, and FAQs at https://www.lcisd.net/page/personal-communication-device-policy?fbclid=IwY2xjawL4Z85leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE5Q3d4blh5VTJ3cFl1akdjAR5Vpi7a421L_h2TCXlGJF2dPDfXrAHwIhJvoDiz15iI7ws3iWhovZJNPW2t2A_aem_mu8X2jVJE0btqm-Hfupfqw.

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Several items were up for discussion and approved by the Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District Board of Trustees, including its $129 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

While the district's 2026-27 budget was the focal point of the trustees' regularly scheduled meeting on June 19, district leaders also approved a few personnel changes, including

This meeting marked the last time Superintendent Keith Bryant, who is set to retire at the end of this month, was to participate in a meeting, as newly hired Superintendent Aaron Waldrip will step into his position.

Here are three other things you need to know from the LCISD school board meeting.

A trustee steps back and a new one is appointed

One of the items that the trustees unanimously agreed to was to accept the resignation of Ursula Caswell, trustee for Place 6.

The reason for Caswell's resignation was not made immediately known. Her term was set to expire in 2026.

However, after thanking Casewell for her service, the trustees unanimously appointed Trey Strong, owner of Trey Strong Custom Homes in Lubbock, to take her seat.

Trustees approve three school budgets totaling $129 million

There are three budgets the trustee approved — its debt service, food and general operation budgets that total $129 million.

While the debt service budget will see an over $475,000 budget surplus, the other two will not.

The general operating budget sees a $5.1 million deficit

Approving to operate in the red next year, trustees approved a $4.8 million increase to Instruction Expenses in the 2026 budget from 2025. This is partially due to House Bill 2 — the teacher pay increase bill.

It also stems from a conversation the trustees had during their Budget Workshop on June 12, during which they consented to giving all staff not covered under the HB2 pay raise and who aren't administrators a 3% pay increase.

Those people include custodians, ground crew members, bus drivers and other employees.

In short, the school district is estimating $84,989,192 in revenue next year — pending property tax evaluations — with $90,123,171 in expenses that would cover everything not related to food or debt services.

"The deficit is not a great position, but I am confident we can get it where we need to be next year," Waldrip said.

Creating a food deficit budget, possibly raising school lunch prices

Assistant Superintendent of Business and Personnel Danny Davis said the district's Food Service Fund will run on a $452,887 budget deficit — but that's on purpose.

The district received over $2 million from a federal government program coming out of the pandemic for the school's food budget. However, schools can only keep three to six months' worth of funds that balance, which prompted the districts to find ways to utilize that money.

Davis said the district opted to feed students for free the past few years, but now the funds are creeping closer to the needed fund balance of $500,000, prompting the district to look at campuses to start charging for lunches again.

The school district is also considering increasing the cost of school lunches from $3.25 to possibly $3.50 for the 2027 school year and adjusting its lunch charging policy for secondary students.

"Everyone knows food costs have gone up tremendously," Davis said.

Possible tax rate increase for the school district?

The trustees approved an item that allows the district to engage in a preliminary study for a Voter Approved Tax Ratification Election — also known as a VATRE.

Davis said the district is leaving three "golden pennies" on the table, which would equate to an additional $4 million in school funding from the state.

In short, the State of Texas allows schools to raise their Maintenance & Operation tax rate up to 17 cents in addition to the tax rate state lawmakers set for M&O.

Of the 17 cents, the first eight cents are considered "golden" as they earn a higher yield in funds matched by the state. Anything past the first eight is subject to state recapture—known as "Robin Hood"—and sees a lower state match.

Of the eight, the board can raise the tax rate by five cents — which is what LCISD is at. The other three cents must go before voters through a VATRE.

Also, M&O helps fund schools' day-to-day operations while the other tax rate — Interest & Sinking (I&S) — can only help fund bonds for district capital projects.

However, the district must complete the efficiency audit for VATRE Consideration before it can decide to send it to voters and also, how much.

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Waldrip currently serves as superintendent of Abernathy ISD, a position he has held since 2019. Before that, he was superintendent at Wellman-Union ISD for three years. His education career spans 18 years, including roles as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and superintendent.

A graduate of Texas Tech University, Waldrip holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports sciences and a master’s degree in educational leadership. He is a member of the Texas Association of School Administrators and has served on multiple Region 17 education committees. He also completed the Texas LeadRural Fellowship, a program focused on leadership and innovation in small and rural school districts.

Waldrip began his career teaching and coaching at Estacado and Lubbock High Schools, later moving into administration at Brownfield Middle School, where he served as both assistant principal and principal for five years.

Outside of education, Waldrip has been active in youth sports and community programs, including work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He and his wife, Ashley, have three children who will attend schools in Lubbock-Cooper ISD.

State law requires a 21-day waiting period following the announcement of a lone finalist before a superintendent can be officially hired. Waldrip is expected to assume the role following the retirement of current superintendent Keith Bryant at the end of June.

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Lubbock-Cooper ISD Superintendent Keith Bryant announced on Friday morning his plan to retire following the closing of the 2024-25 school year.

A social media post dedicated Bryant’s time serving Lubbock-Cooper ISD sharing the many accomplishments provided under his supervision.

“When I joined Lubbock-Cooper ISD in August of 2014, I was immediately struck by the warmth, dedication and passion of this community,” Superintendent Bryant shared. He continued to add, We are blessed with incredibly talented and professional teachers and administrators who impact the future each day.

According to the post, the LCISD Board of Trustees will begin to search for a new superintendent in the coming weeks. Superintendent Bryant will continue to lead the district through the end of June 2025.

“Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as your superintendent,” he said. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead and learn alongside all of you. May God continue to bless each of you and may God continue to bless Lubbock- Cooper ISD.”

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Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District elementary school campuses qualified for free meals through the Community Eligibility Provision under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs for the 2024-2025 academic school year, according to the LCISD food service website.

The implementation of the Community Eligibility Provision means “healthy breakfasts and lunches will be provided each day at no charge for all LCISD elementary students,” said the website.

Which LCISD schools qualify for free meals? 

• Central Elementary 
• East Elementary 
• North Elementary 
• South Elementary 
• West Elementary

Will my child in grades 6-12 qualify for free or reduced-priced meals?

There is a possibility that your 6-12 grade child may qualify through the National School Lunch Program, said the website.

To find out if children in your household are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals, complete the Application for Free and Reduced-Priced Meals online or on a form. 

Meal prices for all LCISD secondary campuses are listed below. 

Student breakfast: $2.00 

Student Lunch: $3.25

Useful information to know before applying. 

• Any family can apply and there will be no penalty for families who apply and do not qualify. 
• Families who have not qualified in the past may qualify this year as income eligibility qualifications have been adjusted.
• The application and free or reduced-priced meals are confidential. Teachers, administrators and fellow students do not have access to the information.
• Children who qualify will have the same food options as those who do not qualify. There are no “special lunch lines” or different menu items for qualifying students. 

Will there be additional benefits for those who qualify?

According to the website, qualifying for free and reduced-price meals may provide access to other benefits such as, reduced registration fees for AP, SAT and/ or ACT tests, discounted rates associated with college applications, discounted rates on internet services and free or discounted participation fees for activities.

To complete the free and reduced-priced meals application online, click here. 

If you prefer to apply on paper, visit any LCISD campus office, the district’s main office or during fall open houses. The form can be returned to any LCISD campus office or district’s main office.

If you have any questions about school meals or the application process for free and reduced-price meals, contact Destini Borchardt at dborchardt@lcisd.net 

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As the school year winds down, there may be some detours and delays for Lubbock-Cooper ISD parents and students on their commute during the last week of school.

LCISD superintendent, Keith Bryant, said they have been keeping parents updated on the closure of Loop 493 off of Highway 87 for the past few weeks. Bryant said the closures are a part of the Woodrow Road expansion project.

“We simply have been communicating that to our parents to make them aware to alter travel plans, we’re certainly concerned about the intersection of Highway 87 and 493,” Bryant said.

Bryant said recent weather events and complications with construction have caused timelines to shift for the Loop 493 closure. He said the district was told by the Texas Department of Transportation this past weekend that the closure would happen sometime this week.

TXDOT crews were seen closing the road Monday afternoon.

“What we’ve asked our parents to do is just to keep their own students’ safety and other students’ safety at the forefront of their minds and they’ve done a great job with that,” Bryant said.

With a few days of school left, the district wants drivers to keep a few things in mind during pick-up and drop-offs.

Bryant asked parents not to drop their students off along Woodrow or Loop 493 and for walkers to cross at the only safe crosswalk at the intersection of County Road 2330 and Woodrow Rd, where they have a crossing guard each morning and afternoon.

Buses will also take a different route to avoid Loop 493 as well. Bryant said their route takes them through Cooper Ranch to avoid the shutdown of Loop 493.

Bryant said their parents and students have done a great job at navigating the construction and closures that have been brought on by the Woodrow project since the beginning.

While they don’t have exact dates on when Loop 493 will reopen, Bryant said they will continue to keep families updated.

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The Lubbock Independent School District told parents in a message on Wednesday that students would be kept inside due to the low air quality caused by the Panhandle wildfires.

According to the message, students will be kept inside for recess and restricted outdoor activities for athletics.

“The health and safety of our students is our top priority, and this measure is in line with recommendations from health authorities to minimize exposure to smoke,” according to the district.

LISD said the poor air quality can pose health risks to children and “believe this action is necessary to ensure their safety.” The district also encouraged everyone to take the necessary precautions at home to ensure the health and safety of one’s family during this time.

Lubbock Cooper-ISD said it was leaving the decision to keep in students to the discretion of its campuses.

“LCISD campus and athletic administrators will determine on a case-by-case basis whether students will participate in outdoor recess or other outdoor activities,” LCISD said. However, students with respiratory issues will be “permitted” to stay indoors.

Dr. Julie St. John, Associate Professor for the Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health, told EverythingLubbock.com that the wildfire is causing smoke particles to enter the air, which causes inflammation in the airway.

Dr. St. John went on to say the smoke can trigger attacks for those with asthma as well create phlegm in a person’s throat, which can lead to excessive coughing. The medical professional encouraged individuals with chronic lung conditions such as asthma and COPD to wear a medical grade N95 mask to reduce the inhalation of smoke particles.

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