Priority registration began Oct. 26 and was determined by the number of completed Collin College credit hours. Students registered for classes through Workday, which was accessible through CougarWeb at www.cougarweb.collin.edu.
The college offered a variety of course formats, including in-person, online and hybrid classes, giving students options to accommodate their academic goals and schedules. Students could review available courses and class schedules at www.collin.edu/academics/class_schedule.
The early registration payment deadline for Wintermester 2026 and Spring 2027 classes was Dec. 9. Students were encouraged to register early to secure their preferred courses and meet payment requirements by the deadline.
Additional information about registration procedures and important academic dates was available at www.collin.edu/register/registration#dates.
Collin College served approximately 60,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offered more than 200 degrees and certificates. Its academic programs included a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Bachelor of Applied Technology in Cybersecurity, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Construction Management and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Clinical Operations Management. The college also offered a Bachelor of Applied Technology in Software Development.
Based in Collin County, Collin College was the county’s only public college. It partnered with businesses, government agencies and industry organizations to provide customized training and workforce development opportunities.
For more information about the college and its academic programs, visit www.collin.edu.
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]]>The action clears the way for the district to advertise the properties for sale, receive and evaluate proposals and eventually bring potential sales back to the Board of Trustees for approval.
The properties are two condominium suites in the Pebble Creek Professional Building at 5804 Coit Road and an undeveloped nearly-10-acre tract near the northeast corner of Coit and Frankford roads.
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]]>Eight candidates are seeking four seats on the Wylie ISD board. Five candidates — Bonnie Tinsley, Brett Fagan, Brandon Thomas, Sam Satterwhite and Scott Johnson — are competing for Place 2, which is open because current trustee Mike Williams is not seeking another term.
Incumbent Stacie Smith is seeking re-election to Place 1, Virdie Montgomery is seeking re-election to Place 5, and Jacob Day is seeking re-election to Place 6.
Trustees serve four-year terms and represent the district at large, allowing voters across Wylie ISD to vote in each of the four races.
Campaign finance reports filed for the election as of Oct. 22 show differing levels of reported fundraising and spending. Fagan and Satterwhite, both Place 2 candidates, reported campaign financial activity, while Smith and Montgomery filed reports showing no contributions or expenditures.
Fagan filed a report covering July 20 through Sept. 24. He reported no contributions and $3,104.66 in total political expenditures, including $348.04 in un-itemized political expenditures.
Satterwhite filed a report covering Aug. 3 through Oct. 3. He reported $2,750 in political contributions and $2,767.86 in political expenditures. His report also listed a remaining political contribution balance of $140.20 and $700 in outstanding loans.
Campaign finance reports were not listed among the candidate documents provided for review for Tinsley, Thomas or Johnson, who are seeking Place 2, or Day, who is seeking Place 6.
The absence of a report from the documents reviewed does not establish whether a report was filed separately or whether a filing was required at that time.
Texas Ethics Commission rules require candidates with opponents on the ballot, who expect to accept or spend more than $1,140 during the 2026 election, to file pre-election campaign finance reports. Those reports are due 30 days and eight days before the election and must be received by the appropriate school board clerk or secretary by the deadline.
The $1,140 threshold applies to transactions made in 2026. Candidates who choose modified reporting but later exceed the limit may face additional filing requirements, depending on when the threshold is exceeded.
Unopposed candidates are not required to file pre-election campaign finance reports for that election. Candidates generally must continue filing semiannual reports, even if they have no campaign activity or lose the election, until they cease campaign activity and file a final report to end their filing obligations.
Additional election information and candidate documents are available on the Wylie ISD Board Elections webpage. Campaign finance forms and guidance are available through the Texas Ethics Commission.
Voters can find polling locations, voting hours and other election information through the Collin County Elections Department.
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]]>Several area districts offer opportunities for seniors to attend school-sponsored events at a discount or for free. Wylie ISD and Garland ISD, specifically, issue cards to seniors ages 65 and older, active-duty military personnel and veterans that act as a general admission ticket to athletic and fine arts events.
Wylie ISD cards are accepted at Garland events and vice versa.
Plano ISD issues discount cards to residents 60 or older.
“Each district may have slightly different criteria or name for obtaining a card, but the goals are the same: to make sure our senior citizens stay connected to our schools and provide affordable entertainment options for this valuable community,” Ian Halperin, Wylie ISD executive director of community relations & marketing, said.
Wylie ISD has issued 200 Gold Cards this semester and more than 3,200 total since beginning over 40 years ago. Eligible residents can apply online at wylieisd.net/goldcard or by contacting Halperin at 972-429-3019. The application contains a few short questions, and the process is the same for seniors, active-duty military personnel and veterans.
The district also allows its retired teachers to apply for the Gold Card. Recipients can choose to have the card mailed to them or to pick it up at the Educational Service Center. Once issued, the card never expires.
In addition to high school events, the WISD card also covers junior high activities that have an admission fee. Halperin said there are some events where licensing requirements prevent the free admission benefit from being used.
Plano ISD has a Retired Seniors Valued in Plano (RSVP) program for residents aged 60 or older. The free membership card allows for free or discounted admission to most PISD sporting and fine arts events.
Members recently took a hosted by Superintendent Theresa Williams and Johnny Hill, deputy superintendent for business, employee services and technology.
Attendees visited Plano West Senior High School, Haggard Middle School, Plano Senior High School and the new Career and Technical Education Center.
“I found it absolutely fascinating to see how much construction is occurring in Plano, as well as the unique types of construction,” said RSVP member Mark Ball “You’ve got schools that are being rebuilt featuring brand new things that I didn’t think about when I was in school, or my wife Jane, who was a former principal in the district, even was aware of. It really is an opportunity for the students to have such wonderful campuses.”
PISD RSVP Membership Cards do not expire and membership does not have to be renewed annually. The program provides free admission to all home games for all sports for middle school and high schools, both junior varsity and varsity. It excludes away games, playoff games and non-school events held in school facilities.
Fine arts events hosted by the UIL are regular price with no discount or free admission, but campus performances of plays, variety shows, band, orchestra, choir and vocal music offer free admission on opening night. The RSVP offers discounted admissions only on opening night for musicals and the Drill Team Spring Show.
For more information, or to apply for a card, search RSVP on PISD.edu.
To receive a Garland ISD VIP pass, eligible residents can call 972-494-8580 to schedule an appointment during the window of Monday through Thursday from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Applicants must bring a government-issued picture ID or document to prove military service. Garland’s VIP passes also never expire.
For more information, visit garlandisd.net/garland-isd-vip-pass.
Reporter Bob Wieland also contributed to this story.
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]]>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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