Frisco | March 2025

Education

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

Frisco ISD joins litigation for youth protection Frisco ISD has joined a multi-district lawsuit that will help school districts recover additional expenses from addressing student mental health. The district’s board of trustees approved joining the lawsuit Feb. 10. The lawsuit intends to recover damages that have been incurred as a result of the mental health harms caused to children on social media, FISD’s legal counsel Esther Kolni said. The argument states social media companies have known about the damages being done and chose to put profits over their needs, she said. The backstory Whistleblowers from large social media compa- nies presented evidence to the federal government that the companies knew their algorithms were causing mental health harms to young people, Kolni said. The proposed legislation to add protec- tions for children did not pass the senate.

Over 700 teachers to receive stipends Over 700 FISD teachers will receive a stipend ranging from $3,200 to $12,700 through the statewide Teacher Incentive Allotment program. The gist The district’s application for Phase 2 of the TIA program was approved by the Texas Education Agency. Phase 2 added educators in courses not tested through STAAR as well as career and technology and fine arts. The stipend program is optional for districts and is intended to be a state-funded pathway for educators to earn more. FISD teachers’ stipends are paid in a lump sum in the spring. Stipend amounts vary based on five indicators and a higher designation results in a higher stipend.

Cost of care FISD has spent approximately $40 to $300 per student on different mental health needs. The expenses the district has output include:

Additional staffing hired to address mental health needs

Costs related to disciplinary issues

Purchasing cybersecurity technology

SOURCE: FRISCO ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The suit is meant to have social media com- panies pay for the damages that the district has already incurred, Kolni explained. In addition to economic relief, another goal of the suit is to change social media algorithms so children are protected, Kolni said. Joining the lawsuit will not cost the district. FISD will only be responsible for paying legal fees if the district’s party wins and the fees will be paid with the funds received in recovery.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A LUXURY CUSTOM HOME IN NORTH DALLAS YOU’RE LOOKING FOR PARTNERS IN BUILDING

289

1

35

377

121

2

75

288

3

4

5

380

380

380

6

75

T

114

4

1

PARK PLACE Build on Your Lot | Prosper From the $800s + lot | 972 333 9165 WINDSONG RANCH CLOSE-OUT | Prosper From $1.8 m | 214 707 8462 DOWNTOWN FRISCO From $1 m | 972 333 9165 Frisco | By Appointment Only 635 LOOP 12 T

OAK KNOLL ESTATES Build on Your Lot | Tioga From the $600s + lot | 972 333 9165 HARPER ESTATES From $1.3 m | 214 707 8462 Celina | By Appointment Only TWIN CREEKS RANCH Build on Your Lot | Prosper From $1.5 m + lot | 972 333 9165 161 35 114 635 121

T

2

5

35

3

6

820

30

360

80

30 We’ve been building custom homes on your lot or ours since 1986 EMAIL: Info@PartnersInBuilding.com

820

175

20

45

20

15

FRISCO EDITION

Powered by