Frisco Independent School District (FISD) is preparing its agenda for the 90th Texas Legislative Session, which convenes on Jan. 12, 2027, at the State Capitol in Austin. At the Oct. 19 board of trustees meeting, Megan DeWolfe, FISD’s director of government affairs and community engagement, presented the district’s four legislative priorities: assessment and accountability, school finance, and the creation of a district of innovation.
Broad Community Input Guides the Plan
The priorities were crafted by FISD’s Legislative Leadership Committee, a volunteer group of more than 100 community members who have met seven times since September 2025. The committee’s diverse representation ensures that the district’s policy goals reflect the concerns of parents, teachers, business leaders and other stakeholders across Frisco.
Funding Formulas Target Retention of Staff
One notable focus is the support‑staff retention allotment, which the district currently calculates at $45 per student. DeWolfe explained that the committee recommended shifting the formula to base the allotment on the number of employees rather than student enrollment. “The committee thought it made a lot more sense to base that allotment off the number of people you have employed rather than the number of students you have, so that you could essentially spread it out evenly,” she said.
Kimberly Smith, FISD’s chief finance and strategy officer, echoed the rationale, noting that enrollment declines can erode funding under the existing model. “If you’re declining in enrollment, that allotment is going to go down every year,” Smith said. “If it was based on the number of employees, at least it would keep that allotment stable for the raise that was provided.”
Assessment, Accountability and Innovation
The remaining priorities address assessment and accountability measures, ensuring that student performance data remain transparent and useful for educators and families. The district of innovation priority aims to give schools greater flexibility to adopt new teaching methods, technology and partnership models that can improve outcomes for Frisco’s growing student body.
Next Steps Before the Session
FISD will continue to consult its Legislative Leadership Committee throughout November as district officials refine the final set of priorities to present to state lawmakers. By aligning local concerns with state‑level policy discussions, the district hopes to secure resources that support teacher and staff retention, maintain high academic standards and foster innovative learning environments.
The 90th Texas Legislative Session begins at noon on Jan. 12, 2027, in Austin. Frisco ISD’s proactive planning underscores the district’s commitment to safeguarding quality education for its families while navigating the evolving fiscal and regulatory landscape of Texas public schools.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Frisco — read the source article.
