McKinney ISD board votes to repurpose Edens, McNeil and Wolford elementary schools for 2026–27

McKinney Independent School District trustees voted on Nov. 5 to repurpose Edens, McNeil and Earl and Lottie Wolford elementary schools beginning with the 2026–27 school year after a presentation by the Educational Facilities Alignment Committee and a district administration recommendation.

The decision followed a more than two-hour public-comment period dominated by parents, teachers and community members who urged the board to delay or reverse the recommendation, saying Wolford Elementary is high-performing and hosts specialized programs that would be difficult to move. "I'm angry and heartbroken that 3 schools in this district will be closed," parent Lauren Simpson said during public comment.

District leaders, including Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations Dennis Womack, said the recommendation is driven by sustained underenrollment in the southwest quadrant and by multi-year budget pressures. "We've operated on a deficit budget for the past five years," Womack told the board, noting a prior deficit peak the administration described…