Prosper - Celina | February 2026

Education

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

PISD extends top leader’s contract

CISD receives ‘A’ rating for financial integrity Celina ISD officials have received an A from the Texas Education Agency for their financial management and transparency during the 2023-24 school year. The district’s board of trustees reviewed the rat- ing with Chief of Business Resources Melissa Kelly during a Jan. 20 board meeting. The rating uses lagging data, so the score for the 2024-25 school year is based on data from the 2023-24 school year, Kelly said. The overview The Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, also called FIRST, is issued by the TEA. It measures the quality of a district’s reporting and manage- ment of finances to hold the district accountable for its financial management. The rating is based on a number of factors, including: • Revenue against expenses

TEA’s scoring levels include: Out of a possible score of a 100, CISD received a 92.

A - superior: 90-100 B - above standard: 80-89 C - meets standard: 70-79 F - substandard: 0-69

Prosper ISD officials have extended the superintendent’s contract. PISD’s Superintendent Holly Ferguson will remain in her position until 2031, according to a new contract. The district’s board of trustees approved Ferguson’s extension in a 4-1 vote. Trustee Garrett Linker voted against the new contract. What we know Ferguson’s tenure was extended by a year, according to the Prosper ISD communica- tions team. Her current contract ran from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2030. Full contract details, such as salary, will not be publicly available until July when the contract goes into effect, according to PISD officials. Ferguson joined PISD in 1998. She was appointed superintendent in July 2020.

SOURCES: CELINA ISD, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

• Financial documents made public • Cash on hand • Administrative costs

Within the 20 indicators scored, CISD lost points on the number of days of cash the district had in its fund balance. Similar to a savings account, a district’s fund balance is meant to hold the amount of money necessary to run the district for 75 days, according to the TEA. Kelly explained the district had about 57 days when submitting the district’s data, but CISD officials continue to add to its fund balance every year.

Prosper, Celina ISDs to hold May trustee election

Board responsibilities Schools board members hold several responsibilities, including:

held by Tommy Van Wolfe, who serves as board secretary. CISD’s election is for Place 3 and Place 4. Place 3 is held by Jeff Gravley, who serves as president of the board. Place 4 is held by board secretary Jennifer Driver. • The last day to file for both elections was Feb. 13. • Early voting will run from April 22-30.

This May, Prosper and Celina ISDs will hold elections for board of trustee positions. The elections will be held on the uniform election date Saturday, May 2. Zooming in The PISD election will fill Place 2 and Place 5. Place 2 is currently held by Dena Dixon, who also serves as the board’s vice president. Place 5 is

Approve the district’s annual budget

Evaluate and adopt policies

Establish goals and opportunities for students and staff

SOURCES: CELINA ISD, PROSPER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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