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McKinney Edition VOLUME 10, ISSUE 6 SEPT. 25 OCT. 22, 2024
2024 Education Edition
Keeping teachers
McKinney North High School Principal Justin Penio greets students on the rst day of the 2024 25 school year. Teachers and other McKinney ISD sta members received a 3% compensation increase in the new school year in an e ort to retain teachers.
COURTESY MCKINNEY ISD
McKinney ISD focuses on retention, recruitment amidst teacher shortage
and college job fairs, she said. In the 2023-24 school year, the district also sent letters of intent to strong candidates who attended an MISD job fair. This resulted in hiring over 60 employees before the o cial hiring season began.
also participating in college job fairs. Beyond hiring substitutes or former students, MISD travels to universities and colleges to recruit employees, said Darla Jackson, director of human resources for the district. This includes speaking to aspiring teachers and participating in university
BY HANNAH JOHNSON
McKinney ISD o cials are working to maintain its teacher workforce while facing a competitive job market and budget constraints. The district has focused some of its hiring e orts on recruiting substitutes and former students while
CONTINUED ON 20
Also in this issue
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Education: See district data about McKinney ISD student enrollment, teacher pay (Page 12)
Community: Learn about Andrea Holmes’ worldwide mural project that started in McKinney (Page 30)
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MCKINNEY EDITION
Impacts
East McKinney
195
B L O OMDALE RD.
• 4685 W. University Drive, McKinney • www.moonvalleynurseries.com/locations/mckinney
WILMETH RD.
4 Snap Clean Car Wash The car wash features an express car wash tunnel as well as access to vacuums, towels, glass cleaner and mat cleaner for customers to clean and detail their vehicles. • Opened Aug. 26
2
1
7
75
9
5
UNIVERSITY DR.
380
10
380
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McKinney
• 1514 S. Tennessee St., McKinney • www.snapcleancarwash.com
6
5 Sprouts Farmers Market The store offers a variety of fresh produce, meat, seafood and bakery products, according to its website. • Opened Sept. 6 • 2201 Virginia Parkway, McKinney • www.sprouts.com/store/tx/mckinney/virginia-pkwy 6 The Arena Cafe The cafe offers coffee and alcoholic beverages. The menu also features food items for breakfast and lunch. • Opened Aug. 12 • 305 E. Virginia St., Ste. 104, McKinney • www.thearenacafe.com
12
VIRGINIA PKWY.
VIRGINIA ST.
5
11
L OUISIANA ST.
4
Y.
INDUSTRIAL BLVD.
5
13
Coming soon
MCKINNEY RANCH PKWY.
5
8
14
7 Residence Inn A new 144-room Residence Inn by Marriott hotel is slated to open in north McKinney. The extended-stay hotel will feature a mix of studio-style rooms and one- bedroom suites. • Opening TBD • Northwest corner of Hardin Boulevard and University Drive, McKinney • www.residence-inn.marriott.com 8 Service Street Auto Repair The business offers a range of automotive maintenance and repair services, including oil changes and tune ups. • Opening TBD • 4051 S. Lake Forest Drive, McKinney • www.servicestreettexas.com
STACY R
75
MAP NOT TO SCALE
121
N TM; © 2024 COMMUNITY IMPACT CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
McKinney, offering appetizers, salads, sandwiches, baked pastas, specialty pizzas and build-your-own pizzas. • Opened Sept. 9 • 2101 N. Hardin Blvd., McKinney • www.hideawaypizza.com/locations/mckinney 3 Moon Valley Nurseries The business offers a variety of plants, including flowering trees, fruit trees, shrubs and vines, according to its website. • Opened in August
Now open
1 Bazooka Charlie’s Barber Co. The barbershop offers haircuts, fades, design work, coloring, perms, facials, and face and neck shaves. • Opened Aug. 27 • 3194 W. University Drive, McKinney • www.bazookacharlies.com 2 Hideaway Pizza Hideaway Pizza opened its second Texas location in
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
9 Stonebriar Facial and Oral Surgery The facility provides oral and maxillofacial surgery services including implants. • Opening Sept. 27 • 2164 N. Lake Forest Drive, Ste. 712, McKinney • www.stonebriarfaces.com 10 Twin Peaks The restaurant will serve 29-degree draft beer, cocktails, drinks, burgers and chicken wings. • Opening Oct. 7 • 3750 W. University Drive, McKinney • www.twinpeaksrestaurant.com/locations/mckinney 11 Watermere at McKinney The independent senior living community’s seven villas should be ready for occupancy by November. • Opening in phases starting November 2024 • 3351 Virginia Parkway, McKinney • www.integratedseniorlifestyles.com
The shop offers alcohol-infused frozen treats. • 205 E. Virginia St., McKinney • www.facebook.com/cocktailcreamery 13 Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill Jake’s Gameday, a sports bar and grill concept, is now Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill in McKinney. The restaurant’s signage and menu changed in August. • 4150 Eldorado Parkway, McKinney • www.tailgaterstx.com Texas Megabus Nationwide bus service Megabus has discontinued its routes in Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio as of Aug. 16, according to a news release. • Closed Aug. 16 • www.us.megabus.com
Relocation
14 Brandon Tomes Subaru Brandon Tomes Subaru moved into its recently completed new facility in August, leaving its prior location on US 75, representatives of the business said. The new facility, located on SH 121 near McKinney ISD Stadium, offers new Subaru vehicles as well as pre-owned vehicles of various makes and models. • Relocated in August • 4660 SH 121, McKinney • www.brandontomessubaru.com
Worth the trip
Haunted Castle Cafe The restaurant is gothic-themed and family friendly, and serves a variety of food and drinks. • Opened Aug 16
In the news
12 Cocktail Creamery Downtown McKinney frozen treat shop Cocktail Creamery surpassed five years of operations on July 30.
• 1900 Dallas Parkway, Plano • www.hauntedcastlecafe.com
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7
MCKINNEY EDITION
Impacts
West McKinney
4 Legacy Humane Veterinary Clinic The nonprofit clinic, which is sponsored by the Legacy Humane Society, aims to provide affordable pet care options for families in the area, according to its website. The clinic offers a range of preventative care treatments for dogs and cats such as spay and neuter services, vaccinations and heartworm testing. • Opened Sept. 2 • 5121 Collin McKinney Parkway, Ste. 1200, McKinney • www.lhvc.co 5 Spring Massage The offers a number of massage options such as Swedish, deep tissue and hot stone massage. Other options include foot reflexology and walk-on-back massage also known as ashiatsu massage, according to the company website. • Opened Aug. 22 • 1400 N. Coit Road, Ste. 102, McKinney • https://txspringmassage.wixstudio.io/75071 6 Stonebridge Modern Dentistry The dentistry offers emergency dental services, routine teeth cleanings, veneers and teeth whitening services, according to its website. • Opened July 9 • 8801 Eldorado Parkway, Ste. 300 • www.stonebridgemoderndentistry.com
Now open
1 Alloy Personal Training The business offers personalized fitness training with customized workout plans and nutrition guidance. • Opened Aug. 9 • 4051 S. Custer Road, Unit 1130, McKinney • www.alloypersonaltraining.com 2 AT&T The store offers phone plans and electronics, such as phones and tablets. The location also sells accessories such as headphones, cases and chargers for Apple, Samsung, Google and Motorola devices. • Opened Aug. 2 • 8801 Eldorado Parkway, Ste. 400, McKinney • www.att.com 3 Cubana Grille The family-owned restaurant combines the flavors of Jamaica and Nigeria in its dishes, according to its website. Some dishes on the menu include Jamaican oxtail, Nigerian pepper soup and chicken wings. • Opened Aug. 23 • 4051 S. Custer Road, Ste. 1160, McKinney • www.cubanagrille.com
UNIVERSITY DR.
380
5
11
12
LAKE FOREST DR.
VIRGINIA PKWY.
8
10
9
WESTRIDGE BLVD.
MEDITERRANEAN DR.
STONEBRIDGE DR.
ELDORADO PKWY.
2 6
McKinney
1 3
STACY RD.
7
4
COLLIN MCKINNEY PKWY.
SRT TOLL
MAP NOT TO SCALE
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
7 The Dolly Llama The business serves specialty waffles and waffle cones with toppings such as chocolate syrup and bananas. It also serves ice cream and milkshakes in a number of
• 1530 Independence Parkway, Ste. 150, McKinney • www.westridgedentalstudio.com
Coming soon
10 Jimmy John’s The restaurant offers several sandwich and wrap options, as well as side dishes such as pasta salad and potato salad. • Opening in fall 2024 • 140 S. Custer Road, Ste. 300, McKinney • www.jimmyjohns.com
specialty flavors. • Opened Aug. 30 • 5100 Stacy Road, Ste. 800, McKinney • www.thedollyllamaus.com
8 The Rook The private social club and restaurant is located in McKinney’s Adriatica Village. Representatives of the private restaurant established a partnership with McKinney-based Hugs Cafe to offer a lunch program called “Hugs at The Rook.” • Opened in late May • 6952 Mediterranean Drive, McKinney • www.therookmckinney.com
In the news
11 Desi Spice Cafe The restaurant, formerly called Bombay Street Cafe, saw a name change after coming under new ownership this summer, manager and co-owner Kumar Nagarajin said. Desi Spice Cafe offers dishes inspired by cuisine from North and South India. The menu includes dishes such as dahi puri, gobi manchurian and chicken noodles. • 1411 N. Custer Road, Ste. 700, McKinney • https://desispicecafe.com
12 Chewy Vet Care Plans are underway to open a Chewy Vet Care location at the West Grove development in McKinney, a media spokesperson for Chewy confirmed in an email. The clinics offer services including routine appointments, urgent care treatments and surgery, according to Chewy’s website. • Opening in 2025 • 8701 W. University Drive, Building G-2, Ste. 410 • www.chewy.com/vet-care
Coming soon
9 Westridge Dental Studio The business offers dental services such as deep cleaning, cosmetic bonding, dentures, teeth whitening, veneers and pediatric dentistry, according to its website. • Opening TBD
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MCKINNEY EDITION
Government
BY SHELBIE HAMILTON
Thousands of homes slated for Honey Creek development
Honey Creek, a municipal management district in north McKinney, will include over 2.5 square miles of land and as many as 10,500 homes. McKinney City Council members unanimously approved a development agreement for the project as well as related zoning and annexation requests at a Sept. 17 meeting. “Honey Creek is a big deal,” council member Patrick Cloutier said. “Around 1980, some City Council passed Stonebridge Ranch. This is going to be bigger. This is going to be ... amazing and some of the most beautiful land in the city of McKinney.” The gist The Honey Creek development, an initiative by Dallas-based Republic Property Group, will span over 1,650 acres, according to city documents. The approval implements zoning for the district, which is located west of US 75 and north of US 380, near Erwin Park. The zoning implemented includes uses such as
single-family and multifamily residential, retail, office, parkland and civic land. “The existing zoning on the property is actually very similar to what is being proposed tonight,” Director of Planning Jennifer Arnold said at the
WESTON RD.
Honey Creek development
Sept. 17 meeting. Diving in deeper
LAUD HOWELL PKWY.
The development agreement includes planned land dedications for uses such as a water storage tank, a fire station and parks. The agreement also plans for 50 affordable homes that will be built and sold to the city’s Community Land Trust. Other obligations outlined in the agreement include the developer constructing various water and sewer lines throughout the property, as well as construction of various roadways including an extension of Laud Howell Parkway. Looking ahead Jim Henry, senior vice president of community
166
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operations for Republic Property Group, said at the Aug. 27 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting that the development firm would begin right- of-way acquisition and the design for the Laud Howell Parkway extension could be complete by the end of 2027, he said. The first neighborhood in the district would begin development in late 2025 or early 2026, Henry said.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Government
BY SHELBIE HAMILTON
Over $7.1M granted for local projects Over $7.1 million in grant funding from the McKinney Community Development Cor- poration will be invested in parks and other quality-of-life projects across McKinney. The MCDC board awarded the grant funds at an Aug. 22 meeting. The speci cs Some awarded project grants include: • $6.5 million for renovations at Erwin Park and Gabe Nesbitt Community Park • About $110,000 to refresh Downtown McKinney Christmas decorations • About $517,000 to Sanchez Charities for the creation of the Neighbor Hub, a collabora- tive resource center for nonpro t service providers in McKinney
FY 2024 25 general fund breakdown McKinney’s $219.4 million general fund budget pays for the city’s operations by department. The budget includes raises for city employees and 39 new personnel roles.
Transfers: $9.3M Development services: $16.4M Parks and libraries: $20.1M Public works: $20.4M Fire department: $46.9M General government: $49.9M Police department: $56.4M
4%
8%
26%
9%
Total $219.4M
9%
21%
23%
SOURCE: CITY OF MCKINNEY COMMUNITY IMPACT
McKinney leaders adopt new budget, lower tax rate McKinney City Council members unanimously approved the city’s scal year 2024-25 property tax rate and budget at a Sept. 3 meeting. The speci cs valuation. While this is a decrease in the overall rate, property owners may see an increase to taxes paid due to increases in home values. The rate will support the city’s $888 million
budget, including a general fund budget of $219.4 million. The budget and tax rate will go into e ect starting Oct. 1, city documents state.
The council approved a tax rate of $0.415513 per $100 valuation, which is an over $0.01 decrease from the FY 2023-24 rate of $0.427513 per $100
Brew City, Texas drives McKinney craft beer tourism McKinney has been named a “craft beer destina- tion,” according to an Aug. 15 news release, marking
“This designation and partnership underscores McKinney’s commitment to supporting local businesses while inviting visitors to
showcase Texas as a “premier craft beer destina- tion,” its website states. It is facilitated by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, a statewide nonpro t trade organization. McKinney has two local breweries—Tupps Brewery and Franconia Brewing Company. Union Bear Brewing Co. is also set to open its new location at the corner of Virginia and Church streets later this year, the release states.
the city joining the Brew City, Texas program. The program aims to help cities drive “craft beer tourism,” the release states, supporting local hospitality and manufacturing businesses. The details The program, which launched in March, looks to
experience the unique avors and hospitality our city has to o er.” VISIT MCKINNEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AARON WERNER
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MCKINNEY EDITION
Education
BY SHELBIE HAMILTON
Education Edition
2024
Readers, welcome to your annual CI Education Edition! This guide features the latest updates and resources about local K-12 public school options in your community, ranging from new campuses to budget details to bond elections. All of the stories were written by our team of local journalists, and all of the advertisements are from nearby businesses who support our mission to provide free, useful news—please show them your gratitude by supporting them. Inside this year’s Education Edition, our reporting covers the McKinney ISD fiscal year 2024- 25 tax rate decrease and how the board of trustees are preparing to evaluate the district’s facilities. Our cover story focuses on local teacher recruitment efforts and compensation increases as McKinney ISD competes with neighboring districts for teaching staff. Readers can also learn how Education Service Center Region 10 works to serve nearly 900,000 students in their nine-county coverage area, which includes McKinney ISD, in a Q&A with the organization’s chief communications officer. We hope you find this content useful and relevant, and we welcome your feedback and suggestions on future coverage. Reach us at mcknews@communityimpact.com.
What's inside
McKinney ISD officials approve tax rate decrease—see the details (Page 15)
Miranda Talley General Manager mtalley@ communityimpact.com
Read about the role of Education Service Center Region 10 (Page 17)
Learn about McKinney ISD’s focus on teacher recruitment, retention (Page 20)
For relevant news and daily updates subscribe to our free email newsletter!
District data
McKinney ISD has seen steady total enrollment over the past five years, and also has fewer economically disadvantaged students and English learners than the state average. The district has also seen consistent increases in average teacher salary in recent years.
Student enrollment
Student statistics
Teacher data
Total number of teachers
McKinney ISD
Economically disadvantaged students McKinney ISD Statewide average
2K
25K
1.5K
23,398
23,400
1K
20K
35.25%
62.19%
1,643
1,583
500
0
15K
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
English learners
School year
10K
Average teacher salary
15.32%
24.33%
$80K $60K $40K $20K
5K
Special education students
$62,779
$65,946
0
2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25*
School year
$0
16.75%
14%
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
SOURCES: MCKINNEY ISD, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
*ESTIMATED, AS OF SEPT. 3
School year
12
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY HANNAH NORTON
Student outcomes under TEA pilot program Lubbock ISD began piloting the TEA’s elementary-level materials at four schools during the 2021-22 school year. All 28 elementary schools were using the materials by the 2023-24 school year. The percentage of LISD elementary students who met grade level standards on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness increased from 2019-2024 across all grade levels and demographics. Texas aims to support students, teachers with new textbooks The Texas State Board of Education is set to approve a new collection of language arts and math textbooks this fall that state leaders hope will help close student achievement gaps and reduce time teachers spend creating lesson plans.
Among the proposed materials are textbooks developed by the Texas Education Agency since 2020. The state-developed textbooks would be available for free online and include kindergarten through fifth grade reading and language arts; kindergarten through eighth grade math; and Algebra 1. If the SBOE approves the textbooks in Novem- ber, public school districts could begin implement- ing them—which is entirely optional—during the 2025-26 school year. The overview Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 1605 last year amid concerns about student performance and whether teachers are using instructional materials that meet state educational standards. For the first time, the law directs the state to create a list of high-quality textbooks and sets aside $324 million for districts to purchase the new materials. The state textbooks will ensure students are learning at their grade level and build on import- ant concepts each year, said Shannon Trejo, the TEA’s deputy commissioner of school programs. The TEA has piloted its textbooks in school districts around the state, such as Lubbock ISD, since 2021. Some districts recorded “tremendous” student growth with the materials, Trejo said. Put in perspective Some Texans have objected to frequent ref- erences to the Bible in the elementary school
2019 2024
30% 20% 10% 0% 40% 50% 60%
NOTE: STUDENTS DO NOT BEGIN TAKING THE STAAR TEST UNTIL THIRD GRADE.
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
community is that there is so much Christian con- tent that is presented as fact,” said Bee Moorhead, the executive director of Texas Impact, an inter- faith policy organization. “The point of faith is that it’s not the same thing as knowledge.” Lawmakers discussed the state-developed materials during an Aug. 12 Texas House hearing. Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, said public schools “should never be ashamed” of teaching students about Christianity. “The world’s major religions did not have an equal impact on the founding belief systems of our country,” Schaefer said. “They did not have an equal impact on the American and Texas legal system or Western civilization and our culture.”
curriculum and raised concerns that the materials do not depict other religions equally. For example, a proposed fifth grade reading passage about the Renaissance describes Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting, “The Last Supper,” and includes excerpts of the Book of Matthew, which focuses on the crucifixion of Jesus. Other religions are also included in the text- books. A proposed fourth grade poetry lesson, which is available on the SBOE website, includes a poem by Kshemendra, a 12th-century poet who “studied Buddhism and Hinduism, and ... wrote epic poems based on various stories and gods from those religions.” “A big part of the concern for the faith
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13
MCKINNEY EDITION
Education
BY ATIRIKTA KUMAR
FAFSA changes, delays lead to decrease in application numbers
Also of note
The delayed rollout of the form in 2023 is likely to impact students from low-income families because affordability comes into question, said Carla Fletcher, a research consultant at Trellis Strategies. “I think we are going to see some impacts on who is completing the FAFSA and then who is moving on to make decisions about their education because their financial aid packages have been delayed,” Fletcher said. “And so that can really impact their decision making. They might not know which school they can truly afford because they don’t know what kind of aid they’re getting.” Students whose parents do not have a Social Security number have also been “adversely impacted” by the recent FAFSA changes, Ashton said. Texans who do not qualify for FAFSA may be eligible to apply for the Texas Application for State Financial Aid. In 2001, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1528, which allowed students who are not U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents or eligible noncitizens, who are not eligible for federal aid, to apply for state aid at participating higher education institutions. Learn more about TASFA eligibility at www.highered.texas.gov. The U.S. Department of Education has said next year’s FAFSA form is set to open for all students on or before Dec. 1, according to an Aug. 7 news release.
Fewer high schoolers have applied for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid this year than in 2023, according to data from the National College Attainment Network. The form, which usually becomes available Oct. 1, was delayed by almost three months due to changes made to the application. It was not available for students until Dec. 31. In 2022, U.S. Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act. The revamped application came with fewer questions, a new way of calculating how much aid students qualify for, and a direct exchange of data between the Internal Revenue Service and FAFSA, according to the U.S. Department of Education. However, the delayed application process likely caused a decrease in the number of FAFSA applications, and this will have lasting
FAFSA completion rates in Texas
65%
65% 60% 0% 50% 55%
54.5%
54%
SOURCE: TRELLIS STRATEGIES/COMMUNITY IMPACT *THE FAFSA SUBMISSION REQUIREMENT WENT INTO EFFECT IN TEXAS.
effects on graduating seniors, said Bryan Ashton, managing director at Trellis Strategies, a research and consulting firm focused on postsecondary education.
Zooming in
FAFSA completion for McKinney ISD seniors
Class of 2023
As of the end of June, 54.5% of Texas’ class of 2024 had completed a FAFSA form, down from about 61% at the same time last year. Despite the decrease in total applications completed nationwide and statewide, Texas is ranked sixth in overall applications completed, according to the National College Attainment Network. Ashton said he believes this is in part due to a state law passed in 2019 requiring all graduating seniors to either complete a financial aid application or formally opt out.
1,009
+11.6%
Class of 2024
1,126
SOURCE: NATIONAL COLLEGE ATTAINMENT NETWORK/COMMUNITY IMPACT
The law went into effect for high school seniors graduating during the 2021-22 school year. After the law went into effect, about 65% of the class of 2022 in Texas filled out the FAFSA.
14
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY HANNAH JOHNSON
McKinney ISD historical tax rates McKinney ISD's board of trustees approved a tax rate of $1.1252 per $100 valuation for fiscal year 2024-25.
Maintenance & operations rate
Interest & sinking rate
$0 $0.3 $0.6 $0.9 $1.2 $1.5
-18.26%
$0.37
$0.37
$0.37
$0.37
$1.0067
$0.9429
$0.7575
$0.7552
Welcome Back students & teachers!
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
2024-25
Fiscal year
SOURCE: MCKINNEY ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Spend life
The tax rate for McKinney ISD will be slightly lower for fiscal year 2024-25. The district’s board of trustees discussed the tax rate during an Aug. 26 board meeting. The total rate approved by the board is $1.1252 per $100 valuation, a $0.0023 decrease from FY 2023-24’s rate of $1.1275 per $100 valuation. The new rate was approved in a 6-0 vote, with board member McKinney ISD approves tax rate decrease
Chad Green abstaining. “MISD is not raising taxes,” board member Stephanie O’Dell said. The overview Even though the tax rate decreased, MISD residents can expect a higher tax bill. The tax bill for an average single family home valued at $575,311 can expect a tax bill of $5,346 from the district—a $75 increase from last year. This is due to rising property valuations and not the district increasing its tax rate, said Marlene Harbeson, MISD’s chief financial officer.
learning.
Spending Life Wisely means taking small steps towards a life of love and impact. And we’re here to inspire and empower you along the way with information that educates, empowers, and inspires each person to reach their highest purpose and realize their greatest success.
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McKinney ISD plans facility usage
FirstUnitedBank.com
McKinney ISD’s board of trustees approved a resolution to create the Long Range Facility Planning Committee during an Aug. 26 meeting. The committee will be made up of MISD tax- payers and will plan how to best utilize MISD’s facilities to maxi- mize their potential.
Some context The committee’s framework will be based on enrollment, building capacity as well as costs associated with operations and per student costs. After meeting throughout the upcoming school years, the group will make facilities recommendations to the school board in January 2026.
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MCKINNEY EDITION
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY DUSTIN BUTLER
Q&A: Education Service Center Region 10 offers training for local schools With the 2024-25 school year beginning, Educa- tion Service Centers across Texas continue to work to provide services for school districts. ESC Region 10 serves more than 130 school districts, including McKinney, Frisco, Richardson, Celina and Prosper ISDs. Rachel Frost is the chief communications officer of ESC Region 10. Frost recently answered questions from Community Impact , explaining the history of and services provided by Education Service Centers in Texas. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. What is an Education Service Center? The Texas State Legislature established 20 regional Education Service Centers in 1967 to support schools and create innovative solutions. Per state statute, ESCs are focused on improving student achievement, helping school districts operate more efficiently and economically, and implementing statewide initiatives. Where does the funding for an ESC come from? ESCs do not possess tax levying or bonding authority, and are funded through grants and contracts for services with school districts. How often does Region 10 offer professional development opportunities? Region 10 offers professional development opportunities nearly all day, every day. If you visit either of our buildings, you will find rooms filled
ESC Region 10 service area 80
Public school districts 35 Charter schools 112 Private schools Nearly 900,000 students
Grayson
Fannin
Collin
Hunt
Dallas
Rockwall
COURTESY EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER REGION 10
Kaufman Van Zandt
with educators actively engaged and learning. We also offer professional development at school districts, online through virtual learning as well as hybrid learning opportunities. Last year, we offered more than 7,000 professional development courses to more than 500,000 attendees for a total of nearly 850,000 total hours of professional development. In the past five years, have you noticed any trends of what school districts are needing? The COVID-19 pandemic, starting in March 2020, dramatically altered the needs of public schools to serve their students. Initially, Region 10 pivoted to support teachers and administrators in transitioning to virtual settings. As we’ve moved beyond the immediate crisis, we’ve seen a trend toward integrating the lessons learned from virtual instruction into traditional teaching models. This hybrid approach has become increasingly prevalent in professional development for educators. Beyond pandemic-related changes, we’ve noticed several other prominent trends in school district needs: • Budget management training for district leadership: We’ve seen a rising need for administrators to develop stronger financial
Ellis
Henderson
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skills to navigate complex funding scenarios and optimize resource allocation. • School safety and security: In light of ongoing concerns surrounding school safety, districts are prioritizing comprehensive safety measures and crisis response training. • Teacher recruitment and retention: This has become a critical focus area, with districts looking for innovative ways to attract and keep qualified educators in an increasingly competi- tive job market. These trends reflect the evolving challenges facing our school districts. Region 10 continues to adapt our support and resources to meet these changing needs.
To see the full story and learn more about ESC Region 10, visit communityimpact.com .
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MCKINNEY EDITION
Education
Jennifer Akins aims to support McKinney ISD’s strategic plan in new role As chief school improvement and federal programs o cer of McKinney ISD, Jennifer Akins said she is looking at the big picture, both for MISD and its students. Career history Akins started with McKinney ISD in 2000 as a teacher, teaching high school English and special education. After six years of teaching, Akins became a school counselor, a position she held for 10 years before transitioning into the district’s rst ever director of counseling role. In April 2024, she moved into her current position. Explaining the role Akins said her work focuses on ensuring students have the skills and strategies they need
Jennifer Akins (right) attends an event at the University of North Texas with McKinney ISD and UNT faculty members.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY DUSTIN BUTLER
challenges in our country and our world, and we want to produce,” Akins said. She encourages the public, parents and com- munity members to learn about the school district and to get involved through volunteering. Looking ahead In the new position, Akins will support the district as they move forward with the McKinney ISD 2024 Strategic Plan, which is meant to guide the district for the next 3-5 years. Akins said she will coordinate a variety of initiatives across the district that fall under the strategic plan. Additionally, Akins said the position will help McKinney ISD students get the support they need in the classroom, and it will also provide programs to prepare them for life after graduation. Currently, Akins said the district is looking at the Career Technology Education program, and other similar programs, as part of the strategic plan to identify the strengths and develop pathways that will get students in the program ready for their chosen career when they graduate. District leaders are also planning partnerships
when they leave school to join the workforce, the military or attend college so they can build happy and productive lives. “We’re always looking to improve the education and services that our students receive,” Akins said. “It spans from pre-K all the way up through high school and beyond, and it really looks at how students interact with their learning.” The federal programming piece of the position challenges the district to look at its student population to nd trends where the district can help, she said. “Maybe students are educationally disadvan- taged or there are students that are homeless ...or have other types of special needs, and [we are] really ensure that we’re providing a free and appropriate public education to them,” Akins said. Diving deeper Akins said she wants McKinney ISD students, sta , teachers and community members to be the “best versions of ourselves” and work to build an educated workforce that contributes to the world. “We all know that there are very signi cant
“My whole career has been here in McKinney ISD, and I’m very proud of this district. I’m proud of the work that occurs here,” JENNIFER AKINS, CHIEF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT & FEDERAL PROGRAM OFFICER
with local businesses and colleges, she said, aim- ing to nd areas to support students and ensure the curriculum is current and engaging. Lastly, Akins said she works to identify grants that will bring in new resources that will bene t the student population, including working with the district’s security director on a grant that would support and enhance school security.
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MCKINNEY EDITION
Keeping teachers From the cover
The big picture
Raising pay
The starting pay for McKinney ISD teachers with 0 years of experience has increased by $5,250 over the past five school years.
$56,850
2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Despite budget restraints, MISD has provided a compensation increase for its teachers and other employees to help retain and attract employees. On average, teacher raises cost the district $1.3 million per 1% increase, the district’s Chief Financial O cer Marlene Harbeson said. In the 2023-24 school year, teachers received a raise of $1,950, which is roughly equivalent to a 3% raise. A 3% compensation increase for the 2024-25 school year was approved by the school board in May—which cost the district $5.64 million. The district’s board of trustees approved a $273.36 million general fund budget with a potential revenue shortfall of $21.79 million. Funding for a school district is based on average daily attendance. The basic allotment for schools is $6,160 per student, which has not changed since 2019. When creating the district’s budget for the year, a baseline is created with no pay increase, Harbeson said. District o cials then determine what funds are available in order to recommend a salary increase to the school board. Prioritizing competitive pay is di cult as 80% to 85% of the district’s budget is composed of
$57,800
+9.23%
$58,800
$60,450
$62,100
$0
$10K
$20K
$30K
$40K
$50K
$60K
$70K
$80K
Pay scale
The base pay for teachers increases with tenure at the district. The salaries are based on an 187-day contract.
$62,400 $62,100
0
1
$63,600
5
$65,400
10
$67,900
15
$0
$10K
$20K
$30K
$40K
$50K
$60K
$70K
$80K
SOURCE: MCKINNEY ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
from the district’s reserve fund balance, which is similar to a savings account. The district will have $73.96 million remaining in its fund balance at the end of the 2024-25 scal year.
sta pay, Harbeson said. The district must also review program o erings to ensure the district is operating e ciently, she said. To address the budget shortfall and pay for teacher raises, $21.79 million will be reallocated
Diving in deeper
Quotes of note
Teacher starting salaries by district
McKinney ISD competes with a mixture of surrounding school districts and private industries when hiring and retaining employees, Jackson said. The district has had teachers leave MISD to join a district that is giving a stipend or similar finan- cial incentive. A number of teachers will return to the district because the stipend was discontinued or the support provided by the district is not as vast as MISD’s, she said. “Offering a competitive salary is important because our educators need to feel appreciated and valued for the crucial roles they play in edu- cating our students,” Jackson said in an email. Showing appreciation is another way MISD is working to retain its staff. The district will conduct “Stay Interviews” with randomly selected employ- ees to acknowledge their work. MISD employees also have access to an Employee Assistance Program, which provides services to counseling, life coaches and more for no cost to district staff, Jackson said. The district also provides teachers with a list
“MISD does the best job it can in prioritizing teacher pay given current state funding formulas.”
Prosper ISD $60,000
McKinney ISD $62,100
MARLENE HARBESON, MCKINNEY ISD CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Frisco ISD $60,500
Allen ISD $60,400
Plano ISD $61,000
“In public education, we recognize the limitations of funding, but we continue to make a commitment
to our educators by staying a top competitive district.” DARLA JACKSON, MCKINNEY ISD DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
SOURCES: ALLEN, FRISCO, MCKINNEY, PLANO, PROSPER ISDS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
of businesses who provide discounts to MISD employees. “These are only some of the ways we show our employees how much we appreciate them and want them in MISD doing the important work for all of our students,” Jackson said.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY HANNAH JOHNSON
Did you know?
Going forward
Hiring former students and substitute teachers is one avenue MISD is taking to staff its schools. In 2023, MISD hired 64 substitutes as full-time teachers and 47 former students as teachers. The district hires more substitute teachers than it does from any university or alternative certi- fication program, said Shelly Spaulding, MISD’s assistant superintendent of public relations and communications. “Substitute teachers are our best resource for new teachers,” she said in an email. Former students and substitutes are familiar with MISD and have a connection with the district, Spaulding said, making them ideal candidates for teaching roles. They also have supports in the district, such as family and friends that they can rely on outside of the school day, she said. “Former students know our traditions and have pride in the district in which they grew up,” Spaulding said.
McKinney ISD is creating a new program to hire former students as soon as two years after graduation. The Grow Your Own Program will allow students who graduate from the district with an associate’s degree to work at MISD as a paraprofessional while earning their undergraduate degree. The district will then hire them as teachers after subsidizing their degree and alternative certification program, Spaulding said. This program is currently in its planning stages and still requires approval from district officials. In the meantime, the district is working with paraprofessionals to earn their bachelor’s degree and provide them with an alternative certification program to get certified, Spaulding said.
Texas teacher attrition
The number of teachers leaving the profession across Texas has started to decrease since the COVID-19 pandemic.
15%
12%
9%
6%
3%
0%
School year
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Learn More
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MCKINNEY EDITION
Development
Transportation
BY SHELBIE HAMILTON
BY SHELBIE HAMILTON
Construction is underway at the Recreation Center at Towne Lake that will expand the facility and upgrade various spaces. The $5.5 million renovation project is set to be completed in early 2025, Parks and Recreation Director Amy Kinkade said in an email. Spaces that will see upgrades include the itness area, restrooms, the classroom and conference room. The project also includes an expansion of the parking lot and other cosmetic updates, Kinkade said. The project began in October 2023 and is Towne Lake facility to debut updates in 2025
Wilmeth Road construction takes steps towards completion
The impact
The project will add 1,400 square feet of space, expanding the facility to a total of 21,933 square feet. The additional space will be used as a classroom, conference space and a storage room. “With upgrades to the facility, the center will provide an enhanced experience with all new features including restrooms with showers, family restroom, wellness room,
Construction on Wilmeth Road is set to be com- pleted in October, McKinney Capital Improvement Program Manager Katie McKenzie said in an email. The project, which has been under construction since March 2022, has seen various delays. The details The project includes nearly 8,500 feet of road- way along Wilmeth Road from Lake Forest Drive to Hardin Boulevard, as well as a 700-foot-long bridge, McKenzie said. The project also includes construction of three multilane roundabouts at the road’s intersections with Lake Forest Drive, Taylor Burk Drive and Hardin Boulevard. The four-lane divided roadway will also see lighting and drainage improvements. The project totals roughly $25 million, including construction and design work, and was funded by the city through its street and drainage funds, McKenzie said.
In progress
Completed
In progress
WILMETH RD.
The Recreation Center at Towne Lake is closed to facilitate renovation work, according to the city’s website.
COURTESY CITY OF MCKINNEY
currently underway, with some work that was recently completed including repairing roof leaks, installing underground utilities and excavating the parking lot. New wiring and structural reinforcement to existing walls is also being installed. The construction work is being led by PassBuilt Construction, city documents state.
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larger classroom space and double the tness area.” AMY KINKADE, PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR
con icts with underground utilities. “Several franchise utilities stated they were clear prior to construction but were not, causing construction to halt,” McKenzie said in an email. The contractor completing the work expects the roadway project will be completed by the end of October, McKenzie said.
The current situation Construction is complete on the roadway and the roundabout at Taylor Burk Drive, and both are open to tra c. Construction is still underway at the round- abouts at Lake Forest Drive and Hardin Boulevard. Work at these intersections has seen delays due to
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