[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6690029,"mediaKeyId","2383046-286e8a63ba66369b8f938dc97f3accf1","parentId",2383046,"title","McKinney ISD board approves Caldwell Dual Language Academy, rezones Finch and portion of Webb","audioSeconds",4842,"startMs",1796000,"endMs",6638000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383046-286e8a63ba66369b8f938dc97f3accf1&start=1796&end=6638","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383046-286e8a63ba66369b8f938dc97f3accf1/thumbnail_1796000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6690029/Texas/McKinney-ISD-board-approves-Caldwell-Dual-Language-Academy-rezones-Finch-and-portion-of-Webb","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6690029-af98a3c79cd4f92549f610058dd6db2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023816&Signature=bkRC2W8s~Ju078bI3ffM3VsKp75atZ~-YNA5biH-cVLptopw5wHBx70F-zoiPMJIBFqvBwVGypJcg~5SCvhgpgwFu5f~csRAFCgpNCN562nrHmOhAbaLeQvX1WcC6SsaX1ql7i26Wo501djeMo3n6t~mwcTt7Sv3VWdb8yxhC6vDTeSB4VWeWrFzFQEYuABM2kOQiPYo4v1a9LAdXFoMHzcET7ms0ZPCDisVUNIUcqLUgFJ4JchBV0~PjMC1ZdI4GF7cORs4sxQqhNCZOed0miKfsLus1LQkL23QI~TazUONFwQ097kDTtTtqSyxtTpLAsTFhEcSfN1O4MS9d2ESmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","McKinney ISD, TX","date","2025-02-24T00:00:00Z","article","The McKinney Independent School District Board of Trustees on Feb. 25 approved a reorganization that will create the Caldwell Dual Language Academy, convert Finch Elementary to serve primarily monolingual students and move a southern portion of the Webb attendance zone into Finch, district administrators said.

District staff said the plan concentrates emergent bilingual students into Caldwell to rebuild enrollment and program efficiency while shifting monolingual students into Finch so those classes have adequate peer cohorts and teacher collaboration time. The board voted in favor of the proposal by voice vote after public comment from dozens of parents, teachers and students.

District officials said sustaining the two‑way dual language program at Caldwell requires a larger, more balanced mix of emergent bilingual and Spanish‑learner students. \"The dual language program is successful, and it does support our English language learners,\" Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations Dennis Womack said, summarizing the program review that led to the recommendation.

The proposal moves roughly 50 students from the southern portion of the Webb zone into Finch; staff estimated about three of those students are emergent bilinguals. Womack said the shift would increase Finch's projected enrollment closer to about 400 students and stabilize Caldwell's bilingual cohort so the district can restore 50/50 two‑way classroom ratios that staff called important for peer language learning.

Becky Jackson, who presented accountability implications, said staff modeled the change using beginning‑of‑year MAP projections to estimate state assessment impacts before any instruction this year. She reported that the recalculated Domain 1 scaled scores for both Caldwell and Finch showed \"very little impact\" on current accountability measures.

District bilingual program staff described a multi‑year rollout. \"For the first year, kinder and first will immediately be a two‑way,\" the program presenter said, adding the district will continue to transition additional grades until Caldwell operates fully as a two‑way academy. Staff also said parents who had been on the dual program wait list will receive priority for newly available seats; administrators estimated about 21 kindergarten and 11 first‑grade families had indicated interest at the time of the presentation.

Transportation arrangements were described for students living near Finch who will be assigned to Caldwell: shuttle buses will transport students between Finch and Caldwell so families in walking zones will continue to have an option that does not require a long walk to a new campus.

The decision followed an extended public comment period in which dozens of parents, students and community members urged the board either to pause rezoning or to preserve access to the dual language program. Speakers described both logistical concerns (transportation, access for walking families) and equity concerns (community ties and access to bilingual instruction). Board members and staff acknowledged those concerns and said the district will conduct outreach, parent meetings and transition activities to ease the move.

Board President Hassler called for the motion to approve the recommendation, which was seconded and approved on a voice vote. The board asked administration to report back on transition supports for affected families and to provide regular updates on enrollment and program access.

Votes at a glance: Caldwell Dual Language Academy / Finch monolingual program / Webb attendance adjustment — motion approved by voice vote (mover/second not specified in public audio).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","McKinney ISD, TX - School Board Meeting - Feb 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The McKinney Independent School District Board of Trustees on Feb. 25 approved a reorganization that will create the Caldwell Dual Language Academy, convert Finch Elementary to serve primarily monolingual students and move a southern portion of the Webb attendance zone into Finch.","taxTitle","MCKINNEY ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14240,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6690013,"McKinney ISD board adopts 2025 legislative priorities focusing on school finance, accountability and workforce",280,9780000,10060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383046-286e8a63ba66369b8f938dc97f3accf1&start=9780&end=10060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383046-286e8a63ba66369b8f938dc97f3accf1/thumbnail_9780000.jpg","/articles/6690013/Texas/McKinney-ISD-board-adopts-2025-legislative-priorities-focusing-on-school-finance-accountability-and-workforce","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6690013-70bc3a829d19f1bed68cebfdb96748fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023816&Signature=d43J5JOVELcaO~fzMm5S0sk~0dzdwnDE5aY5UosIMLqpkDRvMEOJ6EUQvaOKMWfEGgIuHlSxzdKLkIcmm1w5RhxctQCFSBuzvEt1JHZzQl~SXGqT8L7A0IDthVYryp540eo7pSltVAZ4UHuWo2zuyOlmsHECnajnEfzB1icY9Bse7X5qQzUU44Ure7vGLKFRhBKZvKbojkY~Ah2t9sCMJVPXpUxTyE9xCujDb2En7~x0kr83DZdcVEMckYbVkYEdLJgqMJSRdpd0RlXGbPU8lUSFJPGSHubF6J8KjutAYenCjxq1e2ZPZKDnYWC3Qw31psEpTAUtDoxsByk5E2L0PA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The McKinney ISD Board of Trustees on Feb. 25 approved district legislative priorities for the 89th Texas Legislature, adopting recommendations developed by the district's newly formed Legislative Advocacy Committee.

Senior Director of Legal Affairs Aretha Jackson presented the committee's draft priorities, which the committee condensed into three headline goals: increase the state basic allotment and improve accountability for how dollars support students; broaden state accountability to include meaningful, diversified data points and locally developed measures; and provide sufficient resources to recruit, attract and retain teachers while championing differentiated learning pathways for students.

Jackson thanked committee members — a mix of parents, teachers, students and community stakeholders — and singled out Amanda Gavin (district coordinator of instructional technology), who co‑chaired the committee. Trustee Odell, who served on the committee, described meeting with representatives during an Austin advocacy day and urged parents and educators to contact lawmakers about unfunded mandates and voucher proposals.

The board voted to adopt the priorities by voice vote. Administration said the priorities will be used to guide district advocacy in Austin and to brief state legislators and staff about McKinney ISD's funding and accountability concerns during the session.","The board approved a three‑point legislative priorities statement calling for increases to the basic allotment, broader accountability measures and investments to recruit and retain teachers. The district's newly formed Legislative Advocacy Committee drafted the priorities, which staff said will guide advocacy in Austin.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6690019,"Board approves Evans Middle and McKinney Boyd refresh projects; trustees say upkeep prevents bigger costs",474,9123000,9597000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383046-286e8a63ba66369b8f938dc97f3accf1&start=9123&end=9597","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383046-286e8a63ba66369b8f938dc97f3accf1/thumbnail_9123000.jpg","/articles/6690019/Texas/Board-approves-Evans-Middle-and-McKinney-Boyd-refresh-projects-trustees-say-upkeep-prevents-bigger-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6690019-5f0fac14c799a3fdd39d91f3de20da28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023816&Signature=DoDUfI83G4s0IIa0zZ~xzgerS1NTAKlN51dQhwGzeliwXhn~TNbgAObVfSFXh60lzxs7DuId5XALuJJiUOgQScAOb9qCiZVoXYiDjb3WyqTZs10KT1LF6W808KEbj2FyqnkY7Cnr3~YnZv59YfpNREbr-thmFruzSdrf1Ix~P6Lx4iFbtOQe~eNEl63T-JNX-z0VITHuf8kNRqxTOrztXvLeJAAxTssCwtYmxkigGUtqtggVKP1hED5uHz4P43mpqHQTIA6quNVRYPeKu1xVrwRIobrOSz-e~oLoIAw4Aotc18QKYXeBDyKLuUoT8ZAaq3mzOO74kd7WuVL~x9Ds4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The McKinney ISD Board on Feb. 25 approved capital refresh work at Evans Middle School (Phase 2) and the first phase of a refresh at McKinney Boyd High School.

Facilities staff described Evans Phase 2 as work covering the administration area, the performing arts building and the athletic wing including painting, toilet partitions, millwork and doors following last summer's HVAC and lighting upgrades. \"We're kind of going through our schedule,\" facilities staff said, noting the district may delay particular elements until the long range facilities planning committee completes its recommendations.

Trustee Chad Green asked that the board consider connections between personnel decisions and capital spending; other trustees replied that the refresh schedule is part of a long‑term 20‑year asset management plan and helps avoid larger future costs. \"If you skip some of the things that need to be refurbished at the point they're called for, then the next year, you got twice as many things to do,\" one trustee said in support of the refresh plan.

At McKinney Boyd, trustees approved Phase 1, which staff said focuses on academic areas of the building (carpet, paint, millwork) after prior work addressed HVAC and lighting. Facilities staff said athletics work would follow in later phases. Trustees asked administrators about student conduct issues in a particular boys' restroom; staff said campus leadership had implemented behavioral norms and accountability that have reduced vandalism.

Both refresh approvals passed on trustee motions and voice votes. District staff said continuing the refresh schedule will generate energy savings and preserve maintenance and operations funds for recurring costs such as payroll and utilities.","Trustees approved partial refresh Phase 2 at Evans Middle School and Phase 1 refresh work at McKinney Boyd High School to address HVAC, lighting and interior finishes. Administrators said continuing the scheduled refresh cycle saves operating dollars and avoids larger deferred‑maintenance costs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6690024,"McKinney ISD launches bond planning with community committee; consultant to lead final package",1128,3354000,4482000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383046-286e8a63ba66369b8f938dc97f3accf1&start=3354&end=4482","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383046-286e8a63ba66369b8f938dc97f3accf1/thumbnail_3354000.jpg","/articles/6690024/Texas/McKinney-ISD-launches-bond-planning-with-community-committee-consultant-to-lead-final-package","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6690024-d86b518ae5e3d5ebd7d064fa8d7714cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023816&Signature=SoJSTxNprGMocqrxHFNh88wKhI26ylHlln2Qz9mX2L7JfbYNj~g0DN4Haooo~qYCZOCwoTYpat9WNkugy-bEOdRSzyeWweQp0Zvie6uLQsvbPCHz1QSlAJcnX5PtnVnU8EA7FSMGG9X-xP1-UADW6aRph0yDUKhAG4PAsCXTzbIHpEHYRh0pre5HziE62kuDhjNaM54DUrXZJjaDP9VZzl4eCwURH4CoOOCKhLJlNMwFu5ZvNFI2J-NFQv5rZjWL-YOeggZJuRYrsN16qaip7GdNBf5KBz4zUSPuZo~aHUpzjyyvMunJRtNwLQ12jrjHRCzvn8sOaXi3Dp9t2-Fz3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McKinney ISD officials on Feb. 25 outlined the next steps for a long range facilities planning process and a potential 2025 bond, introducing Dr. Lizzie Johnson of Transcend 4 to lead the community bond committee through final recommendations.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations Dennis Womack told trustees the district is nearing the end of a year‑long facilities review and is considering a bond to fund campus refreshes, safety and security upgrades, continued technology refreshes and Career and Technical Education (CTE) and STEM equipment. \"Why bond? Because it protects our maintenance and operations side of the budget,\" Womack said, explaining that capital funding can preserve recurring dollars for payroll and utilities.

Dr. Lizzie Johnson, who the district identified as CEO of Transcend 4 and a longtime educator and facilitator, said her firm will serve as an independent facilitator for the community bond committee and help the group prioritize projects into a tangible bond package. \"My goal is for the committee to reach consensus and commitment regarding the vision of McKinney ISD facilities,\" Johnson said. She described a structured three‑meeting schedule for committee members and a hands‑on process that includes project worksheets, live voting software and a SWOT analysis.

Johnson outlined a proposed public schedule: committee meetings on April 1, April 15 and May 6, with a bond package recommendation presented to the board on May 12. She said the committee would be supported by the district's financial advisor and VLK Group (district partner for facilities analysis) and would review project costs, district capacity and taxpayer impact as it builds options.

Johnson emphasized committee ownership of the process: members will work in stable table groups across sessions, receive homework to build draft packages, and return to refine proposals using a menu of prioritized projects. She recommended a charge for the committee that focuses members on student and staff needs, fiscal soundness and equity across school communities.

Womack and Johnson both said timing matters: bond funding would allow the district to continue a planned 20‑year refresh cycle and protect maintenance and operations budgets from replacing capital items. The presenters urged trustees to consider the bond option as a means to address safety, HVAC and facility modernization across elementary, middle and high schools.

No board vote occurred on the bond itself at the meeting; trustees approved scheduling and facilitator engagement details during discussion and asked to see final committee charges and timelines.","The board heard a presentation on the district's long range facilities planning and a proposed community bond process led by Dr. Lizzie Johnson of Transcend 4. The committee will receive a menu of prioritized projects and meet in April and May to build a bond recommendation for board consideration in May and a likely November election.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

McKinney ISD board approves Caldwell Dual Language Academy, rezones Finch and portion of Webb

McKinney ISD board adopts 2025 legislative priorities focusing on school finance, accountability and workforce

Board approves Evans Middle and McKinney Boyd refresh projects; trustees say upkeep prevents bigger costs

McKinney ISD launches bond planning with community committee; consultant to lead final package