Parents, students urge McKinney ISD to preserve elementary GT program as district warns $23 million shortfall

Dozens of students, parents and teachers urged the McKinney Independent School District Board of Trustees on March 31 to preserve the district's elementary gifted-and-talented (Alpha/GT) program as administrators outlined a multi-million dollar budget shortfall.

At the meeting Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations Dennis Womack told the board the district faces a projected $23 million deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year if no changes are made. "If we just incur the same expenses that we have currently and do nothing, we're looking at about a $23,000,000 deficit," Womack said during a financial update to the board.

Why it matters: McKinney ISD leaders say the shortfall stems from a mix of stagnant state funding, falling federal allocations and locally collected property tax revenue that is subject to state recapture. Parents and students said proposed reductions to the Alpha/GT elementary program ' which district staff presented as one line among several cost-saving proposals ' would remove services that many families and teachers say are essential for high-ability and twice-exceptional learners.

Students and parents gave emotional testimony during the meeting's public-comment period, which lasted more than an hour. Elementary students described the Alpha program as a place for social connection and advanced learning; one boy, Bennett Miles, said, "I donate personally my whole piggy bank to bring back Alpha." Several parents and a longtime GT teacher warned the proposed staffing cuts would push families to leave the district.

Parent and speaker Jeremy Stuka said his child's future hinged on GT services: "Gifted students aren't privileged, they're at risk," he told trustees. GT teacher Rico Sneller, identified in public comment as the district's TAGT educator-of-the-year, warned that deep cuts would "destroy this program" and prompt families and teachers to leave.

District presentation and board discussion Womack explained why McKinney ISD has limited flexibility to raise and keep local tax revenue. He described the state's funding formula, the "basic allotment" that has not changed since 2019, and the recapture mechanism that requires districts with rising property values to return some revenue to the state. Womack said the district estimates roughly $200 million in property-tax revenue, $40 million in state entitlements and approximately $3 million in federal funding for the current year, and added that recapture returned about $20.6 million in 2022-23.

Board members and residents discussed alternatives, including the possibility of a voter-authorized tax rate adjustment (a voter-approved tax ratification election). Trustees said the earliest such an election could be held is the November 2025 uniform election date. Several trustees and speakers urged parents to contact state legislators and to mobilize voters; others pressed administration to explore grants, fundraising and temporary use of reserves to avoid immediate program cuts.

What the board did at the meeting - The board approved the consent agenda unanimously (motion moved by Trustee Stephanie; second by Trustee Larry). The consent agenda included routine minutes, RFP awards and capital refresh items. - The board authorized the superintendent to convene a citizens bond committee to study future capital needs and advise the administration (motion moved by Trustee Laveira; second not named on the record). The motion passed unanimously.

Clarifying details from the meeting - District shortfall estimate for next fiscal year if no changes are made: about $23,000,000 (Dennis Womack presentation). - Recapture paid by the district in 2022-23 cited by the administration: about $20,600,000. - Current local tax rate components explained by administration: Maintenance & Operations (M&O) ~ $0.7552 per $100 valuation; Interest & Sinking (I&S) ~ $0.37 per $100 valuation. Womack explained M&O is subject to recapture; I&S is not. - Students permitted one minute for public comment; roughly 40 public commenters were signed up and many were students advocating for GT.

Next steps Trustees asked administration to continue analysis and to present alternatives that could reduce the scope of cuts. Several trustees encouraged parents to contact state legislators and/or consider a voter-approved tax option in November 2025. The board paused for additional work sessions and indicated it would not finalize budget decisions until it had more information and additional options to review.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: approved unanimously (motion: approve consent agenda as presented; mover: Trustee Stephanie; second: Trustee Larry). - Authorization to form citizens bond committee: approved unanimously (motion: authorize superintendent to form and convene a citizens bond committee; mover: Trustee Laveira; second: not named on record).