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.

Stay informed and support local journalism — subscribe to Murphy Monitor.

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.

Stay informed, and support your local community newspaper, subscribe to  Murphy Monitor.

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.

Enjoying this column? Let us know. Support your local community newspaper — subscribe to Murphy Monitor.

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.

Stay informed and support local journalism — subscribe to Murphy Monitor.

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.

The Murphy Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Foundation has awarded scholarships to six local students, bringing to $174,000 the amount given since the program began 20 years ago.

“We reviewed the candidates based on scholastics, work history, community involvement, need and an essay component as well,” said Luke Trahan, co-chair of the Foundation. “It is a very competitive process.”

He and co-chair Steve Dault presented the winners to the Tuesday, June 2, meeting of the Murphy City Council.

Maci Hatzenbuehler has lived in Murphy entire life, attended Wylie High School and will be going to Southeast Missouri State University, where she will be playing soccer while majoring in nursing. 

“Her favorite memory in Murphy is playing sports at the PSA or attending Murphy Maize Days with her family and her friends,” Trahan said.

Maha Rizvi, another lifelong Murphy resident, attended Plano East High School and will be attending the University of Texas at Dallas with a major in healthcare studies on a pre-med track. 

“Maha’s favorite memory in Murphy is rolling down the hill at Murphy Central Park with friends at Sounds of Sundown with the Emerald City Band,” Dault said.

Sevy Wang is a resident of Murphy for the last 11 years, a graduate of Wylie High School and will study engineering at the University of Texas at Austin.

“His favorite Murphy memory is participating as a young entrepreneur twice at Murphy Maize Days to raise money for endangered animals,” Trahan said.

Suri Wang has also lived in Murphy for 11 years, graduated from Wylie High and will attend Texas A&M University to pursue a major in mechanical engineering. 

“Her favorite memories of participating as a young entrepreneur in Murphy Maize Days and volunteering at local summer camps with her friends,” Dault said.

Dyan Tecuatl has lived in Murphy for nine years and attended Plano East High School. She will attend Purdue University and hopes to pursue a degree in chemical engineering. 

“Her favorite memory of Murphy is going on morning runs with her cross-country team through Murphy Central Park and the preserve at Maxwell Creek,” Trahan said.

Roheemat Olaiya Mohammed has lived in Murphy for seven years, attended Plano East and will attend Texas A&M University to major in biology on the pre-med track. 

“Her favorite memory in Murphy is performing with the Plano East Marching Band for football games and competitions in Tom Kimbrough Stadium,” Dault said.

“Thank y’all so much for your support,” he told councilmembers. “Without it, we definitely would not have been so successful at handing out these scholarships.”

Stay informed, and support your local community newspaper, subscribe to  The Murphy Monitor

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Administration Building Board Room, 2700 West 15th Street in Plano.

Residents are invited to attend and participate in the discussion regarding the proposed budget and tax rate before trustees adopt the budget.

Trustees reviewed anticipated savings along with significant projected expenditures — including the increased cost of utilities and McKinney Vento Transportation — at their Tuesday, May 5, regular meeting.

However, the staff proposed increasing the district’s total budget by just 0.17% or $144,601. That would raise the 2025-26 budget amount of $86,560,867 to $86,705,468 in 2026-27.

As a result, 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.

Under Texas law, the Plano ISD’s voter-approval tax rate is $1.03275 per $100 valuation. If the district adopts a rate above that threshold, voter approval would be required through an election. The proposed rate remains at that level.

Additional information regarding property taxes and proposed tax rates is available through the state’s property tax database at Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes.

Stay informed, and support your local community newspaper, subscribe to  The Murphy Monitor

With the toss of a cap, a chapter ended for nearly 1,300 members of the Plano East Senior High School Class of 2026.

Grinning broadly, waving to family and friends, gesturing to classmates or taking selfies, the PESH Panthers claimed their diplomas during the Thursday, May 28, commencement exercise.

In a series of video messages, the audience in the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco heard from Senior Class President Kareem Hassanien, Salutatorian Vedant Sundar and Valedictorian Haosu Sam Zhu.

 “Whether you realize it or not, this place has prepared us for what’s next,” Kareem said. “I say that because to get here we had to survive some of the toughest challenges we could imagine, a snowstorm in Texas, math class, painting our senior parking spots in the dark and — worst of all — the cell phone ban.”

Vedant said the students had received a phenomenal education. “We’ve been taught to dream farther, to have ambitions that shape our first steps after tonight, beyond the Plano bubble and into the world,” he said.

Sam said the biggest lesson he learned at Plano East was to bet on himself. “We sometimes think too much about what’s probable and not enough about what’s possible,” he said. “Once in a while, maybe we should take more risks: to bet on ourselves. No on changed the world for the better by taking the path of least resistance.”

Principal David Jones, himself a PESH alumnus, said the Class of 2026 had traversed multiple challenging moments and had persevered to reach the summit. “You are now poised to be leaders and take on the challenges of our future,” Jones said. “Each of you have continued to represent our community, display East Side pride, and you have accomplished many great things.”

Jones recognized groups of students for their achievements, ending by having all members stand and provide an ovation for the family members who have guided and provided for students on their journey.

The principal added, “Winning with class should apply to each and every endeavor in your journey moving forward.

“Remember all you have accomplished with East Side Pride,”  Jones said. “Remember one of the many strengths of our community lies in our diverse student body, varying perspectives, unique cultures and our shared experiences that have enriched us with empathy and understanding.”

Seniors entered the stadium to Sir Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1” performed by classical pianist Julia Lee. The recessional was Felix Mendelsson’s “War March of the Priests.”

The Plano East Junior ROTC presented the colors, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Addisyn Barron, Larina White, Christian Weeresinghe and Preston Le. The valedictorian led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

In a departure from tradition, an artificial intelligence voice announced the graduates’ names during the presentation of diplomas.  

The ceremony ended with remarks by Avleen Randhawa, the Student Senate president.

“As odd as it sounds, I will miss the crowded hallways during the rainy days, the smell of the pond at the beginning of the year and the construction that seems like it will never end,” she said. “They will always remind me of this school, and all the unforgettable memories I have made here with all of you. I’d like to think that 10 years from now, when we look back on our years at East, we will only remember the best of our memories. But I also realize that our moments of foolishness, the hardships and the struggles we have all experienced are what make us who we are today.”

Avleen then led the Class of 2026 in singing the Plano East Alma Mater, followed by the joyous flinging of mortarboards into the air.

Stay informed, and support your local community newspaper, subscribe to  The Murphy Monitor

The top two students in the Plano East Senior High School Class of 2026 have both attended Plano ISD schools since kindergarten.

Valedictorian Haosu (Sam) Zhu grew up in Plano and attended Gulledge and Stinson Elementary Schools, Otto Middle School and then PESH.

Salutatorian Vedant Sundar grew up in Richardson, but his neighborhood was zoned for Plano schools.

Both students learned in 11 th grade that they were at the top of their class.

“I realized I was at the top of my class in junior year,” Sam said.

“I had first known of my rank as salutatorian in junior year,” Vedant said. “After that, Sam and I have had a pretty close push-and-pull for the top rank. I moved up to being valedictorian in the first semester of senior year and settled back to being salutatorian now in the final rankings.”

Sam plans to major in physics at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. He said he has not decided on a career path but is considering opportunities in technology or academic research.

Vedant will be attending the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California.

“I will be reading physics and mathematics,” Vedant said. “After my undergrad, I plan to pursue graduate and doctoral studies and go into research, either specializing in particle physics or theoretical condensed matter physics.

Sam played junior varsity tennis in his junior year and Plano East varsity tennis his senior year.

He also made All-Region during his four years in the PESH chamber orchestra, was concertmaster his senior year and played in the TMEA All-State orchestra for three years.

Since his sophomore year, Vedant has been president of the East Math Circle, a group covering unconventional techniques and problems across areas of pure mathematics.

“Going from student to teacher, I coach MathCounts at my former middle school (Otto Middle School), where I introduce students to contest mathematics using a self-devised curriculum,” he said. “I am honored to have helped send 10 students to state in the past four years.”

Much of his remaining time in high school was taken by university level math and physics competitions. “I have enjoyed [that] thoroughly,” he said.

For nearly 10 years, Vedant has played the mridangam, an ancient South Indian double-headed percussion instrument, as well as the violin.

He also has been a research intern for a projects funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Sam’s favorite high school memory was his last All-State chamber orchestra trip. “Performing alongside the best musicians in the state in my senior year made all the hours of practice throughout high school worth it,” he said.

Vedant said he was not awake for his favorite school memory — but saw the video.

He and friends were participating in the week-long Power Round of the Texas A&M University’s proof-based math contest. After 24 hours, Vedant said, he lost track of time and crashed in mid-sentence at 5 a.m.

“Luckily, my team members woke me up and we were able to submit our proofs by the 8 a.m. deadline, he said. “But it was pretty surreal to see videos of my team panic, roll me over and place a finger under my nose to check if I was still breathing.”

Stay informed and support local journalism — subscribe to Murphy Monitor.

Six projects by Plano ISD students advanced this year to the 76th annual International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s largest international pre-college science competition.

Four projects captured category grand awards. One student placed first and three placed fourth. In addition, four projects received special awards.

Ana Spiride of Plano East Senior High School placed first in Engineering Technology: Statics and Dynamics and won $6,000 for her project, Handtalk: A Translation System for American Sign Language.” She also won a Third Award of $2,000 from Qorvo technology.

Read the full story and stay informed — subscribe to Murphy Monitor.