The Wylie Children’s Chorus is making history as the first elementary ensemble in the district invited to perform at  the Texas Music Educators Association. The chorus of fourth-grade students from across the district earned the invitation this summer after just four school years. 

Directors Terri Knagg and Kelly Silber have instructed all five groups since 2022. 

“The concept for the Wylie Children’s Chorus was first inspired by Terri Knagg’s leadership with the Garland Children’s Chorus in Garland ISD,” Silber said. “After she joined Wylie ISD, the idea was thoughtfully discussed for several years before our then Fine Arts Director officially presented it for approval.”

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Meeting Tuesday, Sept. 8, the school board formally adopted the voter-approved rate of $1.03275 per $100 valuation, down slightly from the 2025-26 rate of $1.03955 per $100 valuation.

The proposed rate is made up of $0.79540 for maintenance and operations and $0.23735 for debt service (interest & sinking) tied to voter-approved bonds. Under the proposed rate, the M&O of $0.80220 would decrease but I&S would remain the same.

Plano ISD certified property values showed a 1.91% increase from $74.36 billion to $75.77 billion with $700.5 million in new construction, according to Collin Central Appraisal District. The average value of a home in the PISD is $614,707, compared with $613,290 in 2025.

For homeowners, the district estimates taxes on the average residence would increase slightly. Based on a mean taxable home value of $368,605, taxes are projected at  $3,807 annually, an increase of $54 from the previous year.

Meeting on June 23, PISD trustees adopted a $691.6 million general operating budget for fiscal year 2026-27 that projects a $44.8 million operating shortfall, reflecting continued pressure from declining enrollment, inflation and state funding formulas that district officials say have not kept pace with rising costs. 

The spending plan anticipates $634.6 million in general fund revenue and $691.6 million in expenditures, with the deficit to be covered through existing fund balance and other financing sources.

District officials said enrollment was expected to fall to about 41,830 students, continuing a multiyear decline driven by lower birth rates, changing demographics, rising housing costs and growing competition from charter schools, private schools and homeschooling. Because state aid is largely based on average daily attendance, fewer students translate directly into lower revenue. While House Bill 2 increased state funding, Plano ISD said the additional money does not fully offset enrollment losses, inflation and growing maintenance needs for aging facilities.

Instruction remained the district’s largest expenditure at about $340.8 million, followed by maintenance and operations at $55.6 million, school leadership at $32 million and guidance and counseling at $27.2 million. 

The budget also includes a 2% salary increase for eligible employees; market-rate pay adjustments and continued health care contributions to retain staff. 

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Wylie ISD’s newest career and technical education facility will carry the name of a longtime community leader whose ties to the district and its agricultural programs span more than three decades.

Trustees announced Monday, Aug. 17, that the new facility at the F.O. Birmingham Agriculture Center will be named the Marvin Fuller Career & Technical Education Center in honor of Albert Marvin Fuller Jr.

The name was recommended by the district’s Board Naming Committee in recognition of Fuller’s decades of service to Wylie in education, agriculture, business and economic development.

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Renovation work at Plano East Senior High School begun in February of 2025 is scheduled for completion in the first half of next year, according to a report by school district officials.

Tony Pearson, director of planning and new construction, updated the Plano ISD Board of Trustees on the progress of construction under the 2022 bond program. 

Pearson said at the Tuesday, Aug. 18, board work session that contracts called for $58.4 million in construction including renovation of about 7,000 square feet in Building D, major locker room renovations and two new gym floors. 

Read the full story in the August 27th edition. Stay informed — subscribe to Murphy Monitor.

“This measures how much students are learning in each grade and whether or not they are ready for the next grade,” the TEA said. “It also shows how well a school or district prepares their students for success after high school in college, the workforce, or the military.”

Student Achievement within PISD was a B, up 3 points from 83 to 86. Student Achievement measures whether students met expectations on the STAAR test. It also measures graduation rates and how prepared students are for success after high school.

Read the full story in the August 20th edition. Stay informed — subscribe to Murphy Monitor.

Trustees of Collin College have called for a November bond election to raise $600 million for expansion including three new facilities.

The board voted unanimously to place Proposition A on the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election ballot.

The proposition would authorize $600 million for workforce and academic expansions at the McKinney Campus, the Technical Campus located in Allen, the Frisco Campus, the Wylie Campus, the Farmersville Campus and the Courtyard Center located in Plano. 

The proposition also includes funding for new facilities, including an Aviation Academy in McKinney, a new campus in Anna and a new campus in Royse City.

“Based on current financial projections, the college does not anticipate an increase in the tax rate if voters approve the bond proposition,” the college said in a release on Friday, Aug. 7.

“The Board of Trustees has always believed in planning for the future while honoring the commitments we’ve made to our community,” said Jay Saad, chair of the Board of Trustees. “The projects completed through our previous bond program have strengthened the economic impact of our region, while providing accessible and affordable pathways for our students.”

The release said the proposed bond package is the next step in implementing Destination 2030, the college’s long-range master plan designed to expand educational access, strengthen workforce training and modernize facilities to serve one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions.

The college said credit enrollment over has increased by more than 31% over the past decade, and the pace of growth is expected to continue. As enrollment and workforce demand continue to rise, the college developed Destination 2030 as a three-phase roadmap to expand capacity to address this growth.

Phase I prioritized projects addressing near-term enrollment growth, workforce shortages and aging learning spaces. Most Phase I projects are complete, with the remaining work scheduled for completion in 2027. 

Phases II and III focus on expanding educational opportunities in the county’s fastest-growing communities, increasing capacity in high-demand workforce and academic programs and modernizing existing facilities.

Collin College said it serves more than 62,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 200 degrees and certificates.

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Thousands of Plano ISD students and their families swarmed the Plano Center for the district’s annual Back to School Fair.

Working in triple-digit heat, Plano police officers controlled access to the Wednesday, July 29, event — funneling cars to park on the grass. Overflow crowds parked across Jupiter Road at the Oak Point Recreation Center.

PISD students could pre-register for a free Trailsport backpack and there were a variety of other services available including Toni&Guy haircuts, Constant Eye Care vision screening and dental screening by Family Smiles.

Lovepacs and Minnie’s Food Pantry had food boxes and Passport Health/Staying Healthy Medical Services operated a vaccination clinic with immunizations for chicken pox, diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (whooping cough), mumps/measles/rubella, polio, pneumonia, meningitis and hepatitis.

District resources on site provided school enrollment and registration, food and nutrition services support, language services, transportation information about bus routes and eligibility, and help with school details or programs like the Head Start Early Childhood Campus. There was also a PISD recruiting booth for jobseekers.

Titan Robotics club students set up displays in the courtyard so visitors could operate robots that threw balls and Toyota had an inflatable soccer goal for students to practice free kicks. 

Community vendors manned tables offering information about health, wellness, social services, sports and after-school programs and enrichment opportunities. 

There was a long line for Cane’s chicken fingers; Bed Start, a local ministry of sharing, asked, “Do you need a hand up?” and a playful squirrel puppet enticed young readers to sign up for a Plano Public Library card.

Plano ISD campuses serving Murphy students include Boggess, Hickey, Hunt and Miller Elementary Schools, Murphy Middle School, McMillen High School and Plano East Senior High School.

Most campuses have “Meet the Teacher” events on Monday, Aug. 10, prior PISD’s first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

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Fortunately, parents can do a great deal to ease the transition and help children begin the school year feeling prepared and confident.

One of the simplest ways to reduce first-day jitters is to make the occasion something to celebrate. Whether it’s preparing a favorite breakfast, taking the annual first-day photo or planning a special after-school outing, creating a family tradition helps turn nervous energy into positive anticipation.

As the first day approaches, it’s also helpful to begin re-establishing school routines. Moving bedtime a little earlier each night, practicing morning schedules and limiting late-night screen time can make those first few days much smoother for everyone.

Families with children attending a new school can benefit from doing a trial run before classes begin. Driving the route to campus, locating the bus stop or practicing the morning commute removes much of the uncertainty that can contribute to anxiety. Even something as simple as walking through the front entrance or finding the cafeteria can make a new school feel more familiar.

Many schools also host meet-the-teacher nights, orientation programs or campus tours before the school year begins. These events give students a chance to meet teachers, locate classrooms and reconnect with classmates in a relaxed setting before the hallways fill on the first day.

Parents can also help children focus on the opportunities that come with a new school year. New classes, electives, fine arts programs, athletics and clubs all provide chances to learn new skills and discover new interests. Talking about those possibilities shifts the conversation away from what summer is ending and toward what the new year can bring.

Another way to build excitement is to review the school calendar together. Mark holidays, field trips, concerts, athletic events, school carnivals and other activities on a family calendar. Looking ahead to memorable events throughout the year helps children see school as more than homework and tests.

Before classes begin, consider arranging a play date, neighborhood gathering or pool party with friends. Spending time together before school starts reminds children they’ll soon be seeing familiar faces every day, making the transition feel a little less intimidating.

Finally, remember that some nervousness is perfectly normal. Parents who encourage open conversations about school and listen carefully to their children’s concerns can often ease fears before they grow. Sometimes all a child needs is reassurance that others are feeling the same way and that it’s okay to be both excited and nervous about a new beginning.

Every new school year offers a fresh start. With a little preparation, patience and encouragement, parents can help children walk through the school doors ready to learn, make new friends and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.

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The school board will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 4, and a work session on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

District officials are proposing to decrease the total tax rate for property within the Plano ISD by $0.0068 or less than one penny. 

The current total tax rate for 2025-26 is $1.03955 per $100 valuation and the district will consider a proposed 2026-27 rate of $1.03275 per $100 valuation, the voter-approved rate.

The proposed rate is made up of $0.79540 for maintenance and operations and $0.23735 for debt service (interest & sinking) tied to voter-approved bonds. Under the proposed rate, the M&O of $0.80220 would decrease but I&S would remain the same.

The district’s total taxable property value is estimated at $75.22 billion for the current tax year, down slightly from approximately $74.36 billion last year. 

New taxable property value is estimated at about $665.2 million, an increase of roughly 0.89% from the previous year.

Plano ISD’s total appraised property value is listed at approximately $105.76 billion, compared with $100.83 billion during the preceding tax year.

For homeowners, the district estimates taxes on the average residence would increase slightly. Based on a mean taxable home value of $368,605, taxes are projected at $3,807 annually, an increase of $54 from the previous year.

Meeting on June 23, PISD trustees adopted a $691.6 million general operating budget for fiscal year 2026-27 that projects a $44.8 million operating shortfall, reflecting continued pressure from declining enrollment, inflation and state funding formulas that district officials say have not kept pace with rising costs. 

The spending plan anticipates $634.6 million in general fund revenue and $691.6 million in expenditures, with the deficit to be covered through existing fund balance and other financing sources.

District officials said enrollment is expected to fall to about 41,830 students, continuing a multiyear decline driven by lower birth rates, changing demographics, rising housing costs and growing competition from charter schools, private schools and homeschooling. Because state aid is largely based on average daily attendance, fewer students translate directly into lower revenue. While House Bill 2 increased state funding, Plano ISD said the additional money does not fully offset enrollment losses, inflation and growing maintenance needs for aging facilities.

Instruction remains the district’s largest expenditure at about $340.8 million, followed by maintenance and operations at $55.6 million, school leadership at $32 million and guidance and counseling at $27.2 million. 

The budget also includes a 2% salary increase for eligible employees; market-rate pay adjustments and continued health care contributions to retain staff. 

Rising recapture payments, utilities, insurance and transportation costs were identified as major spending pressures, although the district plans to offset some increases through staff attrition tied to declining enrollment, payroll efficiencies and continued zero-based budgeting.

Revenue changes include higher Available School Fund distributions and proceeds from property sales, offset by lower local tax collections resulting from state-mandated tax rate compression, reduced investment earnings and lower reimbursements. 

District leaders said they will continue focusing resources on classroom instruction while seeking operational efficiencies to preserve long-term financial stability despite ongoing funding challenges.

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Wylie ISD trustees approved the district’s 2026-27 budget during their June 16 meeting, adopting a spending plan that projects a nearly $15 million deficit while providing pay increases for teachers and staff and maintaining the current tax rate.

Proceedings began with several recognitions, including the introduction of Leslie Dodson as director of secondary curriculum and career and technical education, Jennifer Temesvary as director of career and technical education, Heather Beaty as director of special education and Morgan Power as principal of Tibbals Elementary School.

Following the recognitions, trustees heard public comment on non-agenda items, many of which centered on the World Hijab Day incident at Wylie East High School in February. Several students spoke about their concerns regarding former Principal Tiffany Doolan, who resigned in the months following the incident, and the district’s response.

For the rest of the story, see the June 18 e-Edition. Support your local community newspaper — subscribe to Murphy Monitor.