Senior Sari-beth Walker presented a 1038-signature petition to the school board yesterday after the district announced in early April, that it would step away from the Communities in Schools program in response to the projected $8 million budget deficit.
“I wanted to make the parents in the audience think about it like ‘That’s messed up,’” Walker said. “There’s a lot of kids who are poor at Caney Creek. I really wanted to emphasize that. It’s not right to let students go home hungry.”
CIS is a national non-profit organization that offers mental health counseling, academic tutoring and basic needs support like food and clothing. The district dropped CIS as part of a mass rebudgeting plan, accounting for declining enrollment.
“While these challenges are real,” Superintendent David Vinson wrote in a Feb. 27 email to staff, “they also offer us an opportunity to look inward. Our goal isn’t simply to ‘reduce’ it is to rethink how we work so we can better support you.”
Caney Creek High School is 77.4% economically disadvantaged, according to TEA’s 2024-2025 Accountability Ratings. CIS Site Coordinator span across 16 CISD campuses, including Caney Creek coordinator Regina Burks, will soon lose their position.
“CIS is more than just food and cloths,” Burks said. “It’s a community. I mean look around the room. Kids come here for a break, they learn. You have to be here to see that.”
Freshman Holly Marin started the petition April 17 and handed it off to Walker the same day, who then signed to speak at the board meeting’s public-comment session. Walker said she used to rely on CIS support herself.
“Ms. Burks has always been a motherly figure to our student body,” Walker said in her speech. “She makes sure we have a shoulder to lean on if needed and constantly goes out of her way for us. I have never met anyone as determined in loving as Ms. Burks.”
Trustee Marianne Horton said the fund cut was a district decision, not the board’s, and she was only informed after it was made. Regardless, Board President Misty Odenweller said the district will replicate CIS services in-house and reassured students at-risk.
“Your voices matter,” Odenweller said. “Your needs are being considered throughout this process. When students have their basic needs met, feel supported, and know people care about them, they are in the best position to succeed, and that will not change.”
All 16 CIS members will be unemployed following the end of the school year, according to CIS Director Trezlyn Lamb.
“While our hands may be tied and we may not have a voice in this decision, the students do,” Lamb said. “The petition initiated by the students at CCHS speaks volumes. It is a powerful reminder that this work has mattered.”
Despite the cut, Trustee Melissa Semmler said it’s important the district continues support at-risk students and encouraged community feedback in the meantime.
“I hope, if services are not adequately provided, students and staff will feel comfortable letting the board know,” Semmler said. “Personally, I am committed to working with community organizations to fill gaps wherever possible.”
Editor’s note: Staff reached out to all board members for comment. Some members did not respond in time for publication, but will be updated as they reply.
Holly Marin • Apr 23, 2026 at 11:50 am
I my self Holly Marin Freshman at Caney Creek High School has reached out to Board President Misty Odenweller and asked for reconsideration to keep CIS and Odenweller did not give me a clear answer.