Allen ISD is on track to deliver multiple bond projects this year including school renovations and a new multipurpose complex at Allen High School.

The overview: The district’s operations department managed five construction projects during the 68-day summer window, according to a staff presentation. That’s an increase from one or two projects that are typically completed over the summer, said Brent Benningfield, assistant superintendent of operations.

Campuses and buildings that were renovated over the summer include:

• Cheatham Elementary School

• Anderson Early Childhood School

• Allen High School Activity Center

• Curtis Middle School

Allen ISD is also overseeing construction of a new multipurpose complex at Allen High School. Benningfield and Brian Neely, executive director of Operations, reviewed ongoing and recently completed school district projects during a Sept. 28 board of directors meeting.

Pharmaceutical company BMK Pharma has started construction on its new facility.

BMK Pharma hosted a sign reveal Oct. 1 to mark the start of construction of its manufacturing and research facility in Allen.

A closer look: BMK Pharma produces sterile compounded medications to support healthcare providers and hospital systems, per the company’s website.

“We believe that some of the most important pharmaceutical products used in this country should be made here in America under rigorous standards by people who care deeply about quality,” Chairman Jay Bhaumik said.

The facility will house office space and lab space for drug development, Bhaumik said. It is expected to create about 100 jobs for scientists, pharmacists, engineers and technicians in Allen, he said.

• 260 W. Exchange Parkway, Allen

In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a law changing the amount of time students are required to spend in public schools from 180 days to 75,600 minutes per school year.

More than a decade later, some state senators are considering again mandating the number of days schools are open, citing concerns about student performance in districts that use condensed weekly schedules.

The details: At least 181 districts and 572 campuses used four-day school weeks in the 2024-25 school year, per Texas Education Agency data.

A TEA study found that during the 2022-23 school year, students attending school four days per week had lower performance in certain subjects on the annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness than students at five-day schools.

"There is not a benefit that I see for a four-day school week for the child," Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, said. "We know there's learning loss. What is the advantage of a four-day [week]? Because I see none except to please somebody who wants to be off more days."