Frisco ISD board members approved a balanced budget and a 2% raise for all staff.

The details: The board approved the 2026-27 budget and compensation plan during a special meeting on June 15 with a 6-0 vote. Board member Stephanie Elad was not present. This is the second consecutive year the budget has been balanced as enrollment declines continue at the district.

With the new budget, the tax rate remains at $1.0194 per $100 valuation.

Zooming in
FISD approved about $752 million in operating revenue for fiscal year 2026-27, down from roughly $771.7 million in the current fiscal year, according to district projections. The adopted 2026-27 budget includes:

• $751.899 million in revenue

• $751.899 million in spending

The Back Nine is now open in Frisco.

The details: The nationwide business provides an indoor virtual golf experience featuring precise analytics and data. The Back Nine offers a variety of golf simulations aimed at experienced players to beginners and younger players. 

• 307 Main St., Ste. 135, Frisco

Four state legislators who represent parts of Collin County spoke about growth and infrastructure in North Texas during a summer panel.

What happened?: The McKinney Chamber of Commerce hosted a panel discussion June 18 called “The Future of Growth in North Texas: Policy Decisions Shaping Business, Infrastructure, and Workforce.” Legislators that were present for the panel include:

• State Rep. Jeff Leach, District 67: Represents Allen, McKinney, Plano and more
• State Sen. Angela Paxton, District 8: Represents Allen, Celina, McKinney, Plano, Prosper and more
• State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, District 70: Represents Allen, Plano, Richardson and more
• State Rep. Keresa Richardson, District 61: Represents Celina, Frisco, McKinney and more

The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine is getting updates to its coffee shop and a Dave and Buster’s in Frisco will receive facade improvements.

Check out 5 major construction permits filed around Dallas-Fort Worth.

1. Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center coffee shop renovations
The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center will receive improvements to its coffee shop, kitchen and retail space, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The hotel opened in 2004 and features a 10-acre waterpark, according to its website.

• Location: 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine

• Estimated timeline: Aug. 1-Nov. 3

• Estimated cost: $3 million

2. Keller office building construction
A new office building in Keller will start construction in early July and complete in April 2027, according to TDLR documents. The $1.35 million building will serve three tenants and cover about 5,500 square feet.

• Location: 404 Keller Parkway, Keller

• Estimated timeline: July 1, 2026-April 1, 2027

• Estimated cost: $1.35 million

Texas education officials gave preliminary approval June 23 to the state’s first mandatory reading list, which includes nearly 200 literary works that public school students would begin reading as soon as 2030.

The overview: The proposed list incorporates about a dozen stories from the Bible, including the tale of David and Goliath in second grade and direct biblical excerpts beginning in fourth grade. In total, students would be required to read more than two dozen texts in early elementary grades and about 10 literary works per year from sixth grade through high school.

What's happening: Members of the Republican-led State Board of Education voted 9-5 to cut several titles from the reading list June 23, following nearly eight hours of public testimony a day earlier.

More than half of those who testified June 22 asked the board to shorten the list, include more diverse authors and remove religious references. Others praised the SBOE for creating a list that they said would teach students about “American exceptionalism” and prioritize classical literature.