McKinney ISD officials received approval from the Texas Education Agency for three waivers submitted for the 2026-27 school year.

The McKinney ISD board of trustees approved three waiver applications to ask the TEA for exceptions related to staff development, testing schedules and foreign exchange students at an April 20 meeting.

A closer look: McKinney ISD has submitted these waivers in past school years to align with district practices, according to district documents.

The waivers include:

• Staff development minutes waiver: This would allow the district to use up to 2,100 minutes of instructional time for staff training designed to improve student performance.
• Modified schedules for state testing days: This would allow campuses to adjust schedules for students who are not participating in state testing.
• Limit to foreign exchange students: District officials are requesting a cap of five foreign exchange students per high school for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years.

The new Trader Joe’s in McKinney will open May 7, according to a company news release.

What’s happening: The city’s second store will open in the Eldorado Neighborhood Shops and there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony starting at 9 a.m. May 7, according to the release. 

More than 40 local residents have been hired to work at the store and Trader Joe's transferred 30 additional employees from other stores, the release states.

The 9,593-square-foot store is located at the corner of Eldorado Parkway and Stonebridge Drive and sells store-branded basics, like eggs and cheese, along with produce, baked goods, frozen meals and appetizers and packaged meats.

Zooming in: This store is also part of the company’s Neighborhood Shares Program, which aids local groups.

“The new McKinney Trader Joe’s will donate 100% of products that go unsold but remain fit to enjoy to a range of nonprofit, community-based organizations, seven days a week,” the release states.

• 8101 Eldorado Parkway, McKinney

A Potbelly restaurant is slated to open in McKinney later this year, a company representative confirmed.

The gist: The sandwich shop offers a variety of toasted sandwiches as well as salads, soups, macaroni and cheese, milkshakes and more, according to the company's menu.

The context: The restaurant will be a tenant in the Eldorado Neighborhood Shops development, a project by Plano-based SLX Capital that will be anchored by a Trader Joe’s store at the southwest corner of Stonebridge Drive and Eldorado Parkway in McKinney.

• 3200 S. Stonebridge Drive, Ste. 108, McKinney

The Andy App, a McKinney-based platform specializing in property tax advocacy for Texas homeowners, has found a new investor in the McKinney Economic Development Corp.

What’s happening: The MEDC is investing in the app through its Innovation Fund, which offers grants to startup companies in McKinney. The Andy App was founded by McKinney resident Michael Reeves and uses artificial intelligence to assist homeowners in evaluating their assessed property values, according to a news release.

Quote of note: Michael Kowski, MEDC president and CEO, said in a statement that the app was “exactly the kind of innovation” the corporation was “proud to support” through the Innovation Fund.

“Reeves and his team are taking a complex, often frustrating process and making it simple, accessible, and actionable for everyday homeowners,” Kowski said. “This is a strong example of how technology can directly improve quality of life for residents while creating scalable business growth right here in McKinney.”

Stay informed on five road projects happening around Dallas-Fort Worth.

Collin County
Spring Creek Corridor intersection improvements
Project: The Spring Creek Corridor will receive additional turning lanes, new concrete pavement, barrier-free ramp reconstruction, sidewalk replacements and signal modifications in Plano.

Update: The southbound right lane from SH 121 to 800 feet south of Headquarters Drive will be closed. The project is in final design and is awaiting property acquisition before construction can move forward. Public Works Community Investment Program Manager Drew Zaeske said construction is estimated to be completed in the second quarter of 2029.

• Timeline: May 2026-May 2029

• Cost: $8 million

• Funding source: city of Plano

Tarrant County
Lipscomb Street and Forest Street
Project: The outline for the work is replacing the waterline, sanitary sewer lines, storm drainage and adding sidewalks, according to city documents.

Update: The project has a contract completion date by the end of May.

• Timeline: June 2025-May 2026

• Cost: $1.5 million

• Funding sources: city of Grapevine, Tarrant County