Ahead of the start of the 2027 legislative session in January, Plano ISD trustees set the district’s legislative priorities.

The board unanimously approved the priorities during the Oct. 6 meeting.

The details: The four priorities focused on school funding, the state’s accountability system, student health and safety, and the educator workforce. Under each priority, PISD officials highlighted a problem statement and potential solutions to address the concerns.

Now that they are finalized, PISD’s legislative priorities will be shared with legislators.

Breaking it down: The wording for each priority is based on language used in district documents for the Oct. 6 meeting. Priorities include:

1. Modernize and stabilize school funding

2. Build a fair, stable, future-ready accountability system

3. Strengthen educator workforce

4. Prioritize student safety, mental health and digital responsibility

Renovation plans are moving forward for Church of Christ on McDermott Road after Plano's planning and zoning commission approved easements for the renovations at a meeting Oct. 5.

The gist: Plano's planning and zoning commission approved a preliminary replat, which allows for changes to current facility easements that are needed for the proposed expansion per city documents.

Plano GoLink riders now have access to a new service zone and more flexible transit options after Dallas Area Rapid Transit expanded access to the on-demand transit system. The transit agency has also implemented temporary service changes during the State Fair of Texas to offer direct transport to the fair and the Red River Showdown football game.

The overview: DART’s GoLink service offers on-demand, curb-to-curb shuttles anywhere within a specified zone. Starting on Oct. 5, DART added a new GoLink zone in southwest Plano and also expanded services in several of the city’s seven existing zones.

A closer look: For the duration of the State Fair, DART is running a "State Fair Flyer” bus shuttle on weekends and Oct. 12 to provide hourly transportation directly to Fair Park. DART will operate additional "State Fair Flyer” shuttle buses on Oct. 10 for the Red River Showdown football game.

Collin County voters will choose between two candidates for the Collin County Clerk seat, which will be on the ballot for the Nov. 3 election.

What you need to know: The candidates running for the position are Republican incumbent Stacey Kemp and Democrat John Russell.

Candidates were asked to keep responses within 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

What else? Oct. 5 is the last day for residents to register to vote, according to the Texas Secretary of State website. Early voting will take place from Oct. 19-30.