Allen ISD officials have started budget planning for the 2026-27 school year.

In a nutshell: Kyle Penn, assistant superintendent of business and technology, reviewed an upcoming timeline for the budget during a Jan. 20 board of trustees meeting. Multiple workshops and discussions are scheduled between now and June 15 when board members are expected to adopt the budget. The timeline is tentative, according to Penn’s presentation.

Quote of note: Penn said the budget process is “year-round” with district officials already having discussions since August. Penn’s presentation also included a preview of strategies to reduce next year’s budget amid declining enrollment and inflation.

“This declining enrollment while trying to stay competitive in compensation and battle inflation are really the driving force on all these conversations,” Penn said. “I think you can really sum it up with that point.”

Looking for a new lunch spot or date-night restaurant? Check out these three eateries that opened recently in the Allen area.

1. Tutto Gustoso: The menu includes dishes like rosemary focaccia bread, tagliatelle bolognese, gnocchi in barca and Roman-style flatbreads, per its website.

• Opened Dec. 1
• 842 Watters Creek Blvd., Allen

Three Republican candidates will run for Texas House District 70 during the March 3 primary election.

What you need to know: Candidates that can be found on the March 3 ballot in the Republican primary race for Texas House of Representatives District 70 include:

• George Flint
• Jack Ryan Gallagher
• Michael Hewitt

Thousands of students who apply for Texas’ education savings accounts will likely not be accepted into the first year of the program, application data from the state comptroller’s office shows.

What's happening: Over 101,000 students had applied for Texas Education Freedom Accounts as of Feb. 15. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. March 17.

Program funding is capped at $1 billion for the 2026-27 school year, meaning between 90,000 and 100,000 students will likely be accepted. With demand expected to outpace available funding, applications will be prioritized through a need- and income-based lottery system.

Zooming in: Over 70% of program applicants were from low- or middle-income households, according to data from the comptroller’s office. Under Senate Bill 2, the 2025 law that created the program:

• “Low-income” is defined as families with annual household incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, or about $66,000 for a family of four.
• “Middle-income” is defined as families with incomes at or below 500% of the federal poverty line, or about $165,000 for a family of four.