See video: https://youtu.be/yvk2bCdt61Y

Hello! My name is Corey Homer, and I serve as a McKinney ISD School Board Trustee. Each month, after our Board meeting, we provide our community with a brief summary of events and items covered during the meeting.

The meeting was called to order with the announcement of a quorum, followed by an invocation and pledges led by McKinney ISD School Board Secretary, Lynn Sperry.

The Board then recognized several students and staff members for notable accomplishments.

We celebrated our We Are McKinney ISD Superintendent award winners.
Congratulations to Eddins Elementary principal Cari Owens, Wolford Elementary principal Maria Hafner, and McNeil Elementary principal Tracy Meador for leading their students, staff and community through the repurposing of their campus. We are grateful for their leadership.

We also recognized members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council from McKinney Boyd, McKinney North, and McKinney High School.

Next, we celebrated participants in this year’s McKinney ISD Leadership Academy. We appreciate their commitment to growing as leaders within our district.

We also recognized the NorthStars Dance and Drill Team from McKinney North High School for their success at nationals.

Next we celebrated a student who has been appointed to the United States Air Force Academy. Congratulations to Kinsley Duncan from McKinney North High School.

Additionally, we honored our JROTC National Honor Scholarship recipients. Congratulations to Jonathan Echegaray, Nathan Good, and Caitlin Chase for earning prestigious scholarships.
We then recognized students from all three high schools for achievements in Distributive Education Clubs of America, Health Occupations Students of America, and the Technology Student Association.

Finally, we celebrated our Business Operations team for earning multiple prestigious financial and purchasing awards, including honors from the Texas Association of School Business Officials and the Association of School Business Officials. They received the TASBO Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations, the TASBO Award of Excellence in Financial Management and the TASBO International Meritorious Budget Award.

Congratulations to ALL of our award winners. We enjoy celebrating our students and staff each month at our Board meetings.

Next, public comment was offered and the Board then entered closed session.

After reconvening, the Board heard several presentations.

Brandon Fisher, Director of Bands for the McKinney High School Royal Pride Band, provided the board with an update on band’s recent trip to Ireland. Mr. Fisher described the incredible global learning experience gained by his band students, and we are proud of how they represented McKinney ISD.

The Board also received the annual Board of Trustees Continuing Education Report from Board President Amy Dankel.

Next, the Board heard a presentation from Errin French, Director of Guidance and Counseling, on digital safety lessons. Her report outlined how the district is educating students on digital citizenship, online safety, and responsible technology use, as well as the opportunities for parental involvement and education.

The Board then received an update on hazardous transportation routes for the 2026–2027 school year from Dr. Dennis Womack, Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations. This report included proposed additions, continuations and removals of transportation based on roadway conditions and safety improvements.

The final presentation to the Board last night was a budget update from Chief Financial Officer Marlene Harbeson.

The Board then reviewed the consent agenda and moved into the discussion and action portion of the meeting, where we approved the consent agenda.

We also considered and took action on the proposed 2026–2027 employee compensation plan, which includes a 3.5% raise for all staff members, a new starting teacher salary of $64,700 plus benefit contributions for a total compensation package of $68,372 for first-year teachers, and increased stipends in specialized areas such as special education and bilingual education.

We then reviewed monthly written reports, including donations under $5,000, and updates related to bond projects, energy, construction, transportation, human resources, child care services, instructional technology, special education, and technology.

The meeting was adjourned following these items of business.

Those are the highlights from this month’s meeting. Thank you for your interest in McKinney ISD and the great work that is happening within our district!