McKinney School District Proposes Attendance Zone Revisions Amid Population Growth Analysis

The McKinney Independent School District (MISD) held a school board meeting on August 18, 2025, focusing on the need to reassess and potentially redistribute school boundary lines due to significant shifts in population and enrollment trends across the district.

The meeting began with a presentation on the current elementary attendance zone map, highlighting the demographic changes that have occurred over the past few years. The district is divided into four quadrants using Highway 75 as the north-south dividing line and Highway 380 as the east-west line. The Northwest quadrant is experiencing substantial growth, while the Northeast shows moderate growth. In contrast, the two southern quadrants are facing stagnant or slightly declining enrollment.

Data from the district's demographer indicated a projected increase in elementary school enrollment over the next decade, but this growth is not uniform across the district. Specific schools, such as Frasier and Crest Elementary, are seeing higher enrollment increases, while others like Webb Elementary will require adjustments to accommodate future growth.

The discussion then shifted to the Northeast area, where Webb Elementary serves as the primary school. The board acknowledged the need for rebalancing as projected enrollments in this area are expected to rise. Similarly, the Southeast area has undergone recent boundary adjustments, which have helped manage enrollment at Finch Elementary.

In the Southwest quadrant, the board noted a decline in enrollment attributed to rising property values that have outpaced affordability for young families. This trend is expected to continue, impacting the number of elementary-age students in the area.

The meeting also addressed secondary education, with middle and high school enrollments projected to grow, particularly at Johnson Middle School and McKinney North High School. The board discussed the need for rebalancing middle and high school zones to manage capacity effectively, especially as Johnson is expected to exceed its capacity in the coming years.

To address these challenges, the administration proposed establishing an Educational Facilities Alignment Committee. This committee would study projected enrollment trends, campus capacities, and population shifts to recommend updated boundaries for elementary, middle, and high schools.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the importance of proactive planning in response to demographic changes within the district. The board's next steps will involve forming the committee to ensure that the district can effectively manage growth and maintain quality education for all students.