Wylie ISD marks year of growth, transition, student success

Plano East Senior High School graduated 1,325 students at a May 28 commencement exercise at The Star in Frisco.

Wylie High School graduated 755 Class of 2025 seniors in a May 24 ceremony at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen while Plano East Senior High School graduated 1,325 students at a May 28 commencement exercise at The Star in Frisco.

The 2025-26 school year began with a major adjustment – and some separation anxiety – for students as a new state law banned the use of personal electronic communication devices during the school day.

All students K-through-12 were required to leave phones and other devices at home or keep them off and stored from first bell to last bell.

Wylie Independent School District closed the year having navigated campus expansion, fiscal challenges, leadership changes and notable student achievement, all while maintaining high academic standards and preparing for continued growth across the eastern portion of the district.

Early in the year, trustees focused on accommodating enrollment shifts tied to new campuses. In January, the board approved updated attendance boundaries to account for the opening of Kreymer Elementary School in August and two additional campuses — an intermediate and junior high — slated to open in fall 2026. The new schools, located near Brown Street and Kreymer Road, are designed to relieve crowding and support long-term growth in the eastern part of Wylie ISD.

Trustees also received updates on bond projects and began the process of naming the future campuses, drawing more than 730 public submissions. The naming process emphasized alignment with district values and community history, a theme that carried throughout the year.

Student recognition remained a consistent focus. and Wylie High School’s All-State Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra and Choir. That same meeting introduced proposed changes to the district’s dress code, which were later finalized following additional public input and readings.

By March, the board had adopted a revised secondary dress code for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. The policy was designed to balance personal expression with a learning-focused environment, setting clear expectations for attire, footwear and accessories, while also requiring visible ID badges for students in grades seven through 12.

Budget planning intensified in the spring as district leaders confronted a $9.5 million deficit from the prior fiscal year. Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Scott Roderick outlined a conservative approach to the 2025-26 budget, closely monitoring enrollment trends, attendance, property values and pending state legislation. While enrollment growth was expected to be modest, rising property values were projected to influence overall funding.

Community support for education was also on display during the annual Boots ‘n Barbecue fundraiser benefiting the Wylie ISD Education Foundation. Nearly 900 attendees gathered to raise funds for teacher grants and honor longtime volunteer and founding member Betty Stephens with the Elisabeth W. Garrison Legacy Award for her enduring commitment to public education.

Area students showcased months of hard work during the Collin County Junior Livestock Show and Sale, followed by the 58th Annual Wylie Show and Sale in late March and early April. The multi-day event filled the F.O. Birmingham Agricultural Center with livestock shows, food and horticulture projects, and a spirited Parade of Champions, celebrating both tradition and the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Academic performance remained strong. In May, the Texas Education Agency released long-delayed accountability ratings for the 2022-23 school year, awarding Wylie ISD an overall A rating. The district earned high marks in student achievement and closing achievement gaps, reinforcing what district leaders described as consistent educational quality across campuses. Plano ISD and Plano East Senior High each earned a “B.”

Trustees also approved names for the two new secondary campuses under construction: O.W. Hampton Intermediate and Richard Parker Junior High. Both schools, set to open in August 2026, will feed into Wylie East High School and honor community leaders with deep local ties.

Personnel decisions shaped the summer months. The board approved a comprehensive compensation package for 2025-26 that included state-mandated raises for teachers, increases for nurses, counselors and librarians, and a 3% pay raise for non-teaching staff. Starting teacher salaries were set at $62,070. The district also launched its Achieving a Zero Deficit Initiative, aimed at restoring a balanced budget by the 2026-27 school year.

In August, trustees adopted a lower tax rate while acknowledging that rising property values would still result in higher overall tax bills for many residents. The board also recognized student accomplishments at the state, national and international levels across fine arts, career and technical education, and academic competitions.

Leadership transition became a defining storyline late in the year. Superintendent David Vinson was named the lone finalist for the same position in Conroe ISD, prompting trustees to begin succession planning. In September, Deputy Superintendent Kim Spicer was appointed acting superintendent and later named the district’s lone finalist. Trustees unanimously approved her hiring as superintendent in October.

The fall also marked the opening and dedication of Kreymer Elementary School, the district’s first new campus since 2016. A ribbon-cutting ceremony drew more than 200 attendees, celebrating both the new facility and the continued growth of the district.

Plano ISD had the opposite problem. Because of declining enrollment, PISD school board members voted unanimously to close Davis and Forman Elementary Schools, and two middle schools, Armstrong and Carpenter.

By year’s end, Wylie ISD trustees were again focused on fiscal stewardship. During December workshops, district leaders reviewed cost-saving measures tied to the Zero Deficit Initiative, including staffing efficiencies and a potential limited open-enrollment program.

As Wylie ISD moves into the new year, district leaders say the focus remains on balancing growth with fiscal responsibility while maintaining the high level of academic and extracurricular success that has come to define the district.

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