COPPERAS COVE – Copperas Cove ISD trustees unanimously approved the hiring of the district’s new Chief Technology Officer on Tuesday.
Kip Robins has been charged with leading the district’s work in technology, ensuring that every student and staff member in the district has the necessary equipment and abilities to perform their daily tasks in the modern school and workplace.
“I am honored to serve as the next Chief Technology Officer of Copperas Cove ISD,” Robins said. “As I step into my new role, I am excited to build relationships, collaborate with staff and leverage technology to enhance education and security for the district.”
Robins comes to Copperas Cove from Livingston ISD in east Texas and has more than 25 years of experience in technology leadership, cybersecurity and educational technology.
In 1994, Robins launched his own IT consulting company and ran it successfully until selling the business in 2008. At that time, Robins transitioned into educational technology, first with the TEA’s Region 6 Education Service Center in Huntsville as a network engineer before a promotion to video conference manager. While at the service center, Robins developed a program to bring robotic telepresence solutions into classrooms, affording students who were battling severe illnesses to continue their education remotely.
After spending a year introducing students in the U.S. Virgin Islands to careers and global educational opportunities through technology, Robins joined Livingston ISD for the first time, launching the district’s first 1:1 technology infrastructure. Upon returning in 2020, after two years in Santa Fe ISD, he continued to build on that effort and established an internship program for students to gain real-world IT experience both in the district and the community.
While in Santa Fe, Robins was charged with bolstering the district’s cybersecurity infrastructure after the tragedy at Santa Fe High School. Under his leadership, the district implemented facial recognition systems, security camera expansions and emergency communication tools, while working alongside staff, students and the community in the process.
“I’ve been fortunate to work alongside Mr. Robins multiple times and have seen how he can positively impact a student’s learning environment, as well as how his leadership has improved efficiency for district employees,” said superintendent Dr. Brent Hawkins. “We are excited that Mr. Robins applied to join our Bulldawg family and look forward to his ability to improve our efforts in technology even more.”
Robins is scheduled to start with Copperas Cove ISD in early March.
“My goal is to ensure that students, teachers and the entire CCISD community have access to innovative technology solutions that foster learning, engagement and success,” Robins said.
Additionally, the board approved new partnerships with Lamar State College-Orange and Texas State Technical Colleges to boost CCISD’s dual credit presence in Career & Technical Education.
These programs will join existing CCISD partnerships in dual credit with Central Texas College, McMurry University, Tarleton State University and Ranger College.
“We have a robust Career & Technical Education program here in Copperas Cove, and are always looking to grow it for those students who aren’t necessarily planning to pursue a degree in college,” Hawkins said. “These new partnerships with Lamar State College-Orange and TSTC will help us do that and allow us a path to continued growth moving forward. Our goal is to double the number of Industry Based Certifications we offer in CCISD, and this is the first step.”
Nine additional courses were also approved to add at Copperas Cove High School in the 2025-26 school year: Professional Standards in Agribusiness, Agribusiness Management and Marketing, Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, Principles of Cosmetology Design and Color Theory, Introduction to Cosmetology, Cosmetology I & II and Barbering I & II. Each of these nine courses is in alignment with TEA-approved Career & Technical Education career pathways.
The board also approved a resolution for district staff to be unaffected by the district’s closure due to inclement weather on Jan. 21st.
Trustees also received reports from each campus principal, as well as from several key departments in the district.
The Board of Trustees is next scheduled to hold its regular March workshop and meeting. The workshop is scheduled for March 3rd, with the regular meeting on March 4th. Both will take place in the Board Room at the District Service & Training Center located on South Main Street.
Board agendas are posted outside the District Service & Training Center 72 hours prior to each meeting. Once posted, they can also be viewed at CCISD.com/SchoolBoard.