May 19, 2026
Hello! My name is Stephanie O’Dell, 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.
See video: https://youtu.be/sLvok6rZazk
The meeting was called to order with the announcement of a quorum, followed by an invocation and pledges led by board member, Corey Homer.
It was our pleasure to begin this meeting by recognizing students and staff for a variety of notable accomplishments.
First up, we honored Scott Johnson Middle School for earning the N2 Schools Transforming Learning Award. Congratulations to principal Holly Rogers and the Scott Johnson staff and students.
Then we celebrated several of our Fine Arts students.
Congratulations to the student artists who were recognized through Youth Art Month.
Congratulations to the State Visual Arts Scholastic Event competition award winners.
And a big shout out to the McKinney North Jazz Band for their performance at the prestigious Essentially Ellington festival. What an honor!
Next we highlighted several of our athletic students.
Congratulations to all of our athletes who qualified at state events this spring; what an accomplishment!
And we are very proud to recognize our athletes who have received athletic scholarships. Between all 3 of our high schools, we have close to 70 athletes who have signed to play for various colleges. Congratulations, athletes!
Then we recognized our Aspiring Principals and Assistant Principals Leadership Pathway participants. This program has targeted leadership and growth opportunities for McKinney ISD employees, and it is designed to cultivate future school leaders who are committed to excellence, student achievement and school community growth.
Next we honored our 5 seniors who have qualified as National Merit Finalists; what a testament to their academic skills and rigor!
Then we recognized our AP Honor Roll campuses. Congratulations to McKinney Boyd for earning AP Honor Roll Gold status, and congratulations to McKinney North for earning AP Honor Roll Silver status.
Next up we honored several of our Career and Technical Education students.
Congratulations to the McKinney High School yearbook staff for their success at the State UIL competition as well as at several other yearbook contests.
And congratulations to several of our Future Farmers of America students from McKinney Boyd and McKinney High School for their achievements in various competitions this spring.
And last, but certainly not least, we recognized some creative Gifted and Talented students who received high honors at the 90 Second Newbery International Film Festival.
Following recognitions, we shared two administrative announcements. Congratulations to Christy Giddens, who was selected as our new Director of Health Services, and congratulations to Debra Fort, who was selected as our new Director of Guidance and Counseling.
Next we heard public comments on agenda and non-agenda items, and then we entered closed session.
After reconvening in open session, we heard a 2026–2027 district budget update from Marlene Harbeson, our Chief Financial Officer.
Then we reviewed the consent agenda and moved into the discussion & action portion of the meeting, where we first approved the consent agenda.
We approved action items related to hazardous route conditions, Senate Bill 546 seatbelt requirements to support student transportation safety, and the library material procurement list proposed by the McKinney ISD School Library Advisory Council.
Additionally, we nominated Trustee Harvey Oaxaca as the nominee to serve on the Board of the Texas Association of School Boards Region 10, Position 10.
Stephanie O’Dell was nominated as the delegate for the Texas Association of School Boards Assembly, and trustee Larry Jagours was nominated as the alternate.
Monthly written reports were provided covering district donations, bond, energy, and construction updates, transportation, human resources, and curriculum updates in Reading Language Arts and Social Studies.
We highlighted several upcoming district events, including:
• The Serenity Graduation on May 20th,
• Graduation ceremonies for McKinney High, McKinney North, and McKinney Boyd on May 22nd, and
• The next regular board meeting, which is scheduled for June 29th
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!
See video: https://youtu.be/sLvok6rZazk
The meeting was called to order with the announcement of a quorum, followed by an invocation and pledges led by board member, Corey Homer.
It was our pleasure to begin this meeting by recognizing students and staff for a variety of notable accomplishments.
First up, we honored Scott Johnson Middle School for earning the N2 Schools Transforming Learning Award. Congratulations to principal Holly Rogers and the Scott Johnson staff and students.
Then we celebrated several of our Fine Arts students.
Congratulations to the student artists who were recognized through Youth Art Month.
Congratulations to the State Visual Arts Scholastic Event competition award winners.
And a big shout out to the McKinney North Jazz Band for their performance at the prestigious Essentially Ellington festival. What an honor!
Next we highlighted several of our athletic students.
Congratulations to all of our athletes who qualified at state events this spring; what an accomplishment!
And we are very proud to recognize our athletes who have received athletic scholarships. Between all 3 of our high schools, we have close to 70 athletes who have signed to play for various colleges. Congratulations, athletes!
Then we recognized our Aspiring Principals and Assistant Principals Leadership Pathway participants. This program has targeted leadership and growth opportunities for McKinney ISD employees, and it is designed to cultivate future school leaders who are committed to excellence, student achievement and school community growth.
Next we honored our 5 seniors who have qualified as National Merit Finalists; what a testament to their academic skills and rigor!
Then we recognized our AP Honor Roll campuses. Congratulations to McKinney Boyd for earning AP Honor Roll Gold status, and congratulations to McKinney North for earning AP Honor Roll Silver status.
Next up we honored several of our Career and Technical Education students.
Congratulations to the McKinney High School yearbook staff for their success at the State UIL competition as well as at several other yearbook contests.
And congratulations to several of our Future Farmers of America students from McKinney Boyd and McKinney High School for their achievements in various competitions this spring.
And last, but certainly not least, we recognized some creative Gifted and Talented students who received high honors at the 90 Second Newbery International Film Festival.
Following recognitions, we shared two administrative announcements. Congratulations to Christy Giddens, who was selected as our new Director of Health Services, and congratulations to Debra Fort, who was selected as our new Director of Guidance and Counseling.
Next we heard public comments on agenda and non-agenda items, and then we entered closed session.
After reconvening in open session, we heard a 2026–2027 district budget update from Marlene Harbeson, our Chief Financial Officer.
Then we reviewed the consent agenda and moved into the discussion & action portion of the meeting, where we first approved the consent agenda.
We approved action items related to hazardous route conditions, Senate Bill 546 seatbelt requirements to support student transportation safety, and the library material procurement list proposed by the McKinney ISD School Library Advisory Council.
Additionally, we nominated Trustee Harvey Oaxaca as the nominee to serve on the Board of the Texas Association of School Boards Region 10, Position 10.
Stephanie O’Dell was nominated as the delegate for the Texas Association of School Boards Assembly, and trustee Larry Jagours was nominated as the alternate.
Monthly written reports were provided covering district donations, bond, energy, and construction updates, transportation, human resources, and curriculum updates in Reading Language Arts and Social Studies.
We highlighted several upcoming district events, including:
• The Serenity Graduation on May 20th,
• Graduation ceremonies for McKinney High, McKinney North, and McKinney Boyd on May 22nd, and
• The next regular board meeting, which is scheduled for June 29th
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!