Latest news with #PlanoISD
CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
1,000+ Plano students lose bus service after district redefines routes deemed hazardous to walk
On a recent summer day, several eighth graders tested out their walk to school — a mile and a half across two major roads to Otto Middle School in Plano. For years, Sophia Livengood, 13, Sophia Ortega, 13, and Ivy Rogers, 12, have taken the bus. This school year, it's no longer an option. Students living more than two miles from campus automatically qualify for free busing, as do those who face "hazardous traffic conditions if they walked to school." But Plano ISD has now changed what it considers "hazardous." CBS News Texas reviewed maps of dozens of neighborhoods that no longer qualify for bus service, which the district has made available on a webpage dedicated to its new transportation plan. The district identified 2,524 students living in affected neighborhoods. Of those, Plano ISD estimates that between 959 and 1,305 bus riders would be directly impacted by the change. "Nothing has changed. It's probably even gotten worse," said Andrea Livengood, who worries about her daughter and her friends walking to and from school. She says it's hard for working parents to know what to do. "We can possibly drop off the kids in the morning, but in the afternoon, we don't have time to sit in the carpool line an hour and wait for our kids to get out," she said. If middle school families are worried, imagine what it's like for those with even younger students. Take Sigler Elementary, a Title I school serving mostly low-income families with children as young as four. About a quarter of its roughly 500 students live in the Bel Air Oaks apartment complex. In past years, the district estimates between 59 and 94 of them have ridden the bus. They're now losing service after the district reclassified their path across six lanes of traffic on Plano Parkway and six lanes on Alma Drive as safe. It was near the same intersection where police say a 9-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl were hit by a driver who ran a red light in May. School board members say the addition of crosswalks, sidewalks, and pedestrian signals has made some of the affected paths safer. "These updates were not sudden, and they were not made lightly," wrote Superintendent Dr. Theresa Williams in a statement. "They reflect months of planning, years of data, and a commitment to doing what's right for students both in terms of safety and the responsible use of taxpayer resources." In work session meetings where the changes were discussed, trustees did not appear eager to cut back services, but rather compelled by a need to cut spending. "Student safety is always going to be paramount. I learned that very early in this role. However, we also have a fiscal responsibility," said trustee Jeri Chambers at a March meeting. "This is an example of us having to be really tight, and we're going to have to get tighter." For years, Plano ISD — like many North Texas school districts — has operated on a deficit budget, spending more money than it's allowed to keep. It's lost hundreds of millions of dollars in school taxes to the state through recapture, while the Legislature delayed passing any increase to per-student funding. The funding gap in transportation has grown especially large, as gas, labor, and buses have become more expensive. Plano ISD reports it spent $20.6 million last year on transportation, an expense for which the state allotted it just $2.5 million. "When I say allotment, that's us keeping our own taxes. And so that funding gap is currently about $18 million," said Deputy Superintendent Johnny Hill. "As a result, when we talk about transportation, we need to be as efficient as we can with offering transportation services." By reducing routes, the district expects to need 13 fewer drivers and save $1.04 million per year. Plano ISD isn't alone in targeting transportation for budget cuts. "We've definitely seen school districts across the country make the decision to change bus routes, cut bus routes," said Sebastian Martinez Hickey, an analyst at the Economic Policy Institute who has studied the nationwide shortage of school bus drivers. More than half of all students, he says, still rely on buses to get to school, especially low-income students. Today, EPI found there are nearly a third fewer bus drivers than there were 15 years ago. "I think perhaps they are undervalued because we don't think about what an essential service it is to get children safely and on time to school," said Martinez Hickey. "When there are changes to school bus routes or there are cancellations, that can contribute to increases in chronic absenteeism for students." Livengood wishes Plano's school board would reconsider. "There are other ways to save money without putting kids in danger," she said. In the meantime, students are preparing to find their own way to class.
CBS News
02-08-2025
- CBS News
Teacher accused in Arkansas double homicide resigned from Plano ISD after only 4 days in 2024, officials say
The 28-year-old man accused of killing a married couple at Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas was employed by Plano ISD for just four days in 2024 before resigning, according to district officials. Andrew James McGann, who is accused of killing Clinton and Cristen Brink, held a teaching position in the North Texas district from Aug. 6 to Aug. 9, 2024. He resigned voluntarily before the first day of school on Aug. 13 and did not have direct contact with students, a district spokesperson said Thursday. Lesley Range-Stanton, Plano ISD's chief communications officer, said McGann passed all required background checks and fingerprinting at the time of hire. "Our deepest sympathies are extended to those whose lives have been impacted by this heinous crime," Range-Stanton said in an email to CBS News Texas. It was not immediately clear why McGann resigned, what teaching position and school he was hired for, or whether Plano ISD contacted Lewisville ISD — where McGann was previously employed — before hiring him. McGann was previously a teacher at Donald Elementary in Flower Mound during the 2022–23 school year, according to a statement from Lewisville ISD. He was placed on administrative leave in the spring of 2023 and later resigned after Lewisville ISD investigated him for "concerns related to classroom management, professional judgment, and student favoritism." Lewisville ISD said its internal investigation found no evidence of inappropriate behavior with students. CBS News Texas has reached out to Plano ISD for additional information and will update this story as responses are received. On Thursday, some parents said McGann's behavior while working in Lewisville ISD has taken on new significance in light of the charges. "I was shocked and horrified and saddened, but also angry," said Sierra Marcum, whose son was in McGann's class. "Honestly, there were signs that not all was right with Mr. McGann." In August 2022, McGann introduced himself to families at the Lewisville ISD elementary school in a now-deleted Facebook post. Marcum said her son had expressed discomfort with how McGann treated female students, claiming he gave them extra treats and kept some in his classroom alone during recess. "Really, the tipping point for him, I think, was when he overheard Mr. McGann tell one of the little girls, 'If you were older, I would love to marry you,'" Marcum said. "That was the day he came home and started crying." Marcum, however, remains unconvinced by the district's findings. "You drop off your kids every day, and you're entrusting these people," she said. "And we were literally dropping our kids off to a monster. The fact that he was allowed to continue teaching is what blows my mind." Marcum said her son was upset by the news but proud that he spoke up. "He does not care if people think he is a tattletale or a whistleblower or whatever else," she said. "And I hope that's the lesson he takes away — to keep doing that, even if it upsets people and he faces backlash." Lewisville ISD referred all other questions to law enforcement. "Our hearts are with the victims and all those affected by this tragic situation. The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority, and we are committed to supporting our school community during this time," the district said in the statement. "So, it really does seem like that the ball was dropped here," said Brandon Hall, a member of the Texas State Board of Education representing District 11. Hall said the case highlights a gap in the system, noting that because McGann wasn't charged with a crime, nothing appeared on his teaching record, making it easier for him to be hired again. "And so a thorough investigation needs to take place. What red flags were seen that prompted that investigation in Lewisville ISD?" Hall added. Hall said Texas has passed laws to improve educator reporting, including Senate Bill 571, which was signed into law in May. The legislation expanded access to the state's Do Not Hire registries and strengthened the Texas Education Agency's authority to investigate misconduct. However, Hall said more can be done to flag teachers with any allegations or history of misconduct. "But no matter what systems we have in place, our ISDs really have to do their due diligence as they're in the hiring process for teachers or any school employee to really dig into their background and make sure that our students are protected," he said. McGann was a teacher at a small Oklahoma school district until May of this year, and then resigned to take a job in another state, according to a statement from Sand Springs Public Schools, which is near Tulsa. It added that McGann had passed all background checks. McGann had not yet started his new job in Arkansas at Springdale Public Schools, said Jared Cleveland, the district superintendent. He said the district could not provide more information, citing the investigation. Law enforcement in Arkansas say McGann is responsible for the murders of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, were found dead on July 26 at Devil's Den State Park in Washington County. The couple was hiking with their two daughters, ages 7 and 9, when they were attacked, state police said. Their daughters were not hurt and are being cared for by family members. State police arrested McGann on Wednesday after a five-day manhunt roughly 30 miles north of the park where the killings took place.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
North Texan, 13, wins $50,000 grand prize in Scripps National Spelling Bee
The Brief North Texas teenager Faizan Zaki won the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night, correctly spelling "éclaircissement." The 13-year-old from Allen, Texas, secured the $50,000 grand prize. Last year, Zaki placed second overall in the event. DALLAS - A teenager from North Texas has won the Scripps National Spelling Bee, securing the $50,000 grand prize and bragging rights for his hometown of Allen. The Latest Faizan Zaki spelled "éclaircissement" correctly to win the final round of the competition on Thursday night. The word, appropriately enough, means "a clearing up of something obscure." Zaki, 13, will take home the grand prize of $50,000 for the win. The backstory Zaki is a seventh-grader at C.M. Rice Middle School in Plano, and is sponsored by the Dallas Sports Commission. Last season, the student placed second in the contest, only losing during a "spell-off" tiebreaker. He still beat out more than 240 other spellers and went home with $25,000. What they're saying Plano ISD proudly spoke out on X after Zaki's win: "Faizan's extraordinary achievement reflects the excellence, perseverance and passion for learning that define our students across Plano ISD. We are incredibly proud to see one of our own rise to the top on the national stage!" The Source Information in this story comes from the Scripps National Spelling Bee website and past news coverage.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Former Plano ISD staffer under investigation for allegedly abusing disabled student
The Brief Plano police are investigating after parents say a Plano ISD staff member abused their disabled daughter. Lestia Nelson says she planted an audio device in her daughter's backpack, which later recorded what she calls screams. A video shows an educator pulling 18-year-old Saniyah Reese by her neck and bending her fingers backward while being rough with her. PLANO - Plano police are investigating after parents say a former Plano ISD staff member abused their disabled daughter. What we know 18-year-old Saniyah Reese lives with a rare gene mutation called GRIN-1, causing neuro-development disorders. She takes special-needs classes at Plano Senior High School, where a now-former special needs teacher is under criminal investigation for alleged abuse against Reese. Reese's mother, Lestia Nelson, says she suspected her special-needs daughter was mistreated at school. Lestia Nelson says she planted an audio device in her daughter's backpack, which later recorded what she calls screams. What they're saying The concerned mother requested video from cameras inside the classroom. They say the video shows an educator pulling Saniyah by her neck and bending her fingers backward while being rough with her. Saniyah's cries are heard in the recording. Saniyah's parents shared a video from January, which they obtained from the district in March. The parents fear what they see on video might only be a sample of incidents involving their daughter or other special-needs students. "We caught this, and we don't know what else happened before this. These are just a couple of moments that were able to catch," said Alvin Nelson, father of Saniyah. "She was crying, and she doesn't cry for nothing," said Lestia Nelson. What we know Her parents spoke at a Plano ISD board meeting on Tuesday. "We want accountability, and we want action," said Alvin Nelson. "They should be able to follow protocols, guidelines and procedures to be able to protect our kids and educate our kids." Plano ISD told FOX 4 the staff member no longer works there and was reported to the state. It did not say if the educator, who has not been charged with a crime, was fired or resigned. What we don't know The educator has not been identified yet, and we do not know if charges are expected to be brought against them. What's next The Plano Police Department says it has an active investigation. The Source Information provided in this article is from the Plano Police Department and Plano ISD.
CBS News
02-04-2025
- CBS News
Family alleges Plano ISD teacher abused high school student with disability; police investigating
A Plano Independent School District family believes their high school senior, who has a disability, was abused by a teacher. Police are investigating. Lestia Nelson said a few years ago her daughter, Saniyah was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called GRIN syndrome. "She's totally disabled," she said. "She needs help with personal care, feeding, transferring, diapering, everything." Nelson said earlier this year, she started noticing things that would concern her when her daughter would arrive home from school. "When she would get home she would have a horrible diaper rash that would be bleeding," she said. "I asked them about it, asked them if they could change her more, and it was a struggle. Also, with the feeding, they put her on a liquid diet without notifying me so Saniyah lost 10-15 pounds." Nelson said she asked her daughter if she could put a recording device in her backpack. "She said yes, so I put an audio recorder in her book bag and just recorded," she said. On January 8, she heard Saniyah crying. "I know that Saniyah doesn't just cry," she said. She took her daughter to a doctor who documented a "decreased range of motion" in her neck. Nelson said her daughter has not returned to school since. She told CBS News Texas she asked Plano ISD to send her the video from that day and just received it last week. A teacher's actions in the video greatly concerned her. "While she was doing something, she elbowed her and pushed her head down and then because Saniyah's head went down, she choked her to pick her up and Saniyah started crying," Nelson said. "I saw that she bent her fingers backward." "It's really difficult to watch the video more than once but each time we do look at it we do find something else that was wrong," Alvin Nelson said. On social media, Lestia Nelson documented all of her concerns. In a statement to CBS News Texas, a spokesperson for Plano ISD said: Plano police confirm they're investigating. Lestia Nelson believes there needs to be more accountability and wants to see criminal charges. "I'm a fighter and I'm going to fight for Sanaya until everything is right," she said.
