Allen ISD held its first Project Kids Committee meeting on February 15, 2024, at Ereckson Middle School. The purpose of Project Kids is to serve in an advisory capacity to the Allen ISD Board of Trustees in the assessment and prioritization of capital improvement projects for a possible bond election. Project Kids will present its findings to the Board of Trustees for their consideration.
During the meeting, committee members engaged in informative discussions covering various aspects crucial to the district:
- School Finance: Participants gained insights into the financial landscape of Allen ISD, deepening their understanding of budgetary considerations vital to sustaining and enhancing educational facilities. Chief Financial Officer Brian Carter explained the district’s sources of revenue from tax dollars – local, state, and federal – and how the revenue is allocated for expenses. Mr. Carter also discussed how and why the district utilizes bond elections to cover the expense of large-scale capital projects. Finally, Mr. Carter described how property tax valuations and tax rates can affect how much residents pay for maintaining public schools.
- Capital Project History: Assistant Superintendent for Operations Brent Benningfield provided a comprehensive overview of past bond projects, including those funded by the 2020 bond that was approved by voters in November of 2020. Mr. Benningfield discussed the district’s facilities renovations and explained the schedule and process for campus renovations. He also explained how campus design elements support the district’s graduate profile and how materials selection and infrastructure improvements make efficient use of tax dollars.
- Building Tour: Attendees had the opportunity to explore the recently renovated Ereckson Middle School building (renovated as a result of the 2020 bond election), experiencing firsthand the district's commitment to creating modern and conducive learning environments.
The Project Kids Committee is composed of 81 members representing a diverse group of stakeholders, including parents, community leaders, business professionals, high school students, graduates, and current staff. These individuals play an important role in assessing, prioritizing, and recommending capital improvement projects for a potential bond election as the Project Kids Committee continues this semester.
For more than 30 years, the Project Kids Committee has held an integral role in shaping the future of Allen ISD. During the meeting, former Allen ISD Trustees Worley Stein and Mary Evans discussed the first iteration of Project Kids and how and why it started. Despite changes in format and structure over the years, the underlying goal of improving the district's facilities to benefit students and staff has remained the same.