Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD (CFBISD) is a public school district serving 25,000 students at 35+ campuses across several North Texas cities. The district offers IB, STEM, CTE, dual-language immersion, and Gifted & Talented programs, all tied to its mission of “High Expectations for All.”
In May 2023, voters passed a $716.4 million bond with 64.57% support and no tax rate increase. This bond funds major upgrades in safety and modernization, with planning that started in 2018. Corey Blackburn and Lelia Goehring lead the construction team, keeping projects focused on quality, efficiency, and student impact.
“I like being able to both track the budgeting as well as the actual invoices. It’s been very beneficial for managing our workflow.”
Lelia Goehring, Director of Facilities and Project Management
The 2023 bond program is built around a clear mission to modernize aging schools, improve student safety, and expand access to high-quality, specialized learning environments. Every project was shaped by a six-month community planning process and aligns with CFBISD’s long-term goals for educational excellence and district sustainability.
Safety & Security - $37.7M
All campuses get upgrades like new access controls, better door locks, security cameras, perimeter fencing, and window safety film.
Replacement Schools - $199.55M
Three old elementary schools will be rebuilt. The bond also creates a new campus for Mary Grimes and Bea Salazar programs, supporting diploma recovery, life skills, and alternative education.
Renovations & Infrastructure - $349.19M
Upgrades across the district include renovated classrooms, restrooms, libraries, cafeterias, offices, and new roofs. The work also covers mechanical and electrical updates, kitchen equipment, and better network systems.
Student Support Facilities - $130M
Improvements span special education, early childhood, fine arts, gyms, CTE, and outdoor spaces.
Before adopting Mastt, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD managed its $716M bond program with spreadsheets and shared files. At first, it worked. But as the number of projects and reporting demands grew, so did the cracks in the system.
Here’s what made it hard to move forward:
❌ Low Trust in Data
Project data lived in oversized Excel files that required constant manual updates. A single incorrect entry could throw off an entire report. Since the files were shared across the team and saved automatically, even small errors spread quickly. The team couldn’t be sure the numbers were right. That made every decision harder and more stressful.
❌ Heavy Dependence on One Person
Only one team member fully understood how the Excel system worked. When they left, critical knowledge went with them. Others hesitated to make changes. They worried they might break something important. This created a fragile setup that left the team feeling stuck and unsure.
❌ Low Confidence in Board Reporting
Board reports weren’t live or automated. Staff had to build charts in Excel, double-check every data point, and export everything into a static PDF. Every update was a heavy lift. Leaders couldn’t access real-time insights. Over time, trust in the numbers began to slip.
❌ Difficulty Planning Across Projects
Managing dozens of projects across multiple campuses was complex. There was no central system to show where work stood or how resources were being used. The team struggled to plan ahead or see how contract spending connected across the program. It felt like they were always trying to catch up.
“Our main pain point was using a synced file. If one team member made an error, it would replicate across the team because it auto-saved.”
- Lelia Goehring, Director of Facilities and Project Management
After years of relying on spreadsheets, CFBISD needed a better way to manage its growing bond program. The district wanted more transparency, fewer risks, and a platform that could support real-time collaboration. Mastt delivered all of that and more.
✅ Centralized Platform
Mastt replaced the district’s Excel-based system with a secure, cloud-based platform. All project data now lives in one place, including budgets, timelines, updates, and reports.
✅ Self-Serve Reporting
The team can generate reports instantly across campuses, packages, and projects. They no longer need to manually rebuild dashboards or reformat visuals. Automated updates now support consistent quarterly reporting to the Bond Oversight Committee.
✅ Team-Wide Accessibility
Everyone on the team can log in, view live data, and contribute. There’s no longer a single point of dependency. The platform is easy to use, even for team members without a technical background.
✅ Reliable Data Management
Built-in workflows help ensure accuracy. The system reduces manual errors and eliminates version control issues. Everyone is working from the same up-to-date information.
✅ Enhanced Communication
Reports are now visual, consistent, and easy to understand. Leaders and board members can quickly see funding progress, project status, and what’s next. This makes communication smoother and builds trust across the board.
By switching to Mastt, CFBISD made daily project management easier. Reporting is faster. Risk is lower. And the entire bond program is now simpler to oversee.
“I like being able to both track the budgeting as well as the actual invoices. It’s been very beneficial for managing our workflow.”
- Lelia Goehring, Director of Facilities and Project Management
With Mastt, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD found more than just a better system. They gained trust in their systems, pride in their work, and confidence in their decisions. The bond program is now easier to lead, and the team feels more connected, supported, and ready for what’s next.
The team no longer had to worry about broken formulas or hidden errors. Mastt’s built-in workflows gave them confidence in their numbers. They could finally trust their tools and the process.
Every dollar and every decision was clearly tracked. Oversight didn’t feel like pressure. It became a point of pride. The team embraced transparency and showed their work with confidence.
With live, reliable data, leaders made faster decisions without second-guessing the numbers. The whole team could access the same information and contribute without relying on one person. Collaboration became smoother, and everyone felt more in control.
“I very much appreciate the graphic output... it’s being able to have that data readily available at a team level, where the interface is friendly enough for everybody to engage with it.”
- Lelia Goehring, Director of Facilities and Project Management
With Mastt, the board gained clear, real-time visibility into bond projects. Instead of static spreadsheets, leaders saw live dashboards that showed progress, spending, and what was coming next. This gave the board the clarity they needed to ask better questions and make smarter, faster decisions.
Manual work disappeared. Dashboards updated on their own. Staff stopped wasting hours formatting charts. They could shift their focus to students and strategy.
“Being able to look at how we’re spending within a package, instead of just at individual projects, has been very beneficial.”
- Lelia Goehring, Director of Facilities and Project Management
Mastt gave CFBISD a faster, clearer way to manage its bond program. Reporting is now real-time and data is always reliable. The team works together more efficiently, with less risk and fewer delays.
Looking ahead, the district is excited about the role AI could play in delivering projects. CFBISD is starting to use Mastt’s AI Data Entry tools and is excited about forthcoming AI releases to assist with capital planning. By using historical data to compare different types of projects, CFBISD hopes to forecast costs more accurately and roll out projects at better intervals.
“My hope for AI and bond planning has a lot to do with taking historic data and comparing across project types like small elementary renovations or large high school builds. Each one affects how finances are allocated.”
- Lelia Goehring, Director of Facilities and Project Management
As Mastt continues building its AI features, CFBISD is ready to explore how technology can strengthen planning, improve outcomes, and deliver greater value for its students and community.
Congratulations to Lelia Goehring, Corey Blackburn, and the entire Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD team for leading a transformative bond program. Your dedication to transparency, innovation, and student success sets a new standard for school facility management in North Texas.
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