Representatives of the McKinney Education Foundation requested a one-time $500,000 grant to support revenue-generating positions at a June 18 City Council meeting.
The details
To help fund scholarships and workforce development opportunities for students, the foundation asked for $500,000 that would fund three new positions, including:
- Annual giving officer
- Database administrator
- Grant researcher and writer
If awarded, the funding would also help reduce the ratio of students to college advisors, said Carolyn Brooks, a board member for the McKinney Education Foundation. The ratio is 591 MISD students to one college advisor. Brooks said they aim to lower the ratio to 250 students per advisor.
The funding would be paid over three years, McKinney Education Foundation CEO Sheila Due said. She noted the positions would be becoming self-sustaining after a ramp-up period.
“These positions will become self-sustaining and will generate five to 10 times their annual salary,” Due said. “What does this mean specifically? More scholarships. Virtually no student will be left behind, more innovative classroom grants and program opportunities.”
The background
The McKinney Education Foundation is a nonprofit education organization that was founded in 1991. The organization provides McKinney ISD students with college advisors who can help students get scholarships.
In the last year, Brooks said the organization awarded over $800,000 in scholarships to 390 students. The organization’s college advisors and mentors also helped students access over $25 million in outside scholarships, Brooks said.
The June 18 meeting is the first time representatives of the organization have appeared in front of any council and asked for an investment, Due said.
What they’re saying
Council member Patrick Cloutier said he would not be supportive of the funding request due to it solely funding MISD, whose borders are different from the city of McKinney. Some McKinney residents have students who attend nearby school districts, such as Frisco ISD, who would not benefit from the potential investments.
“If there is an appropriate taxing entity to handle this for you, it’s not us,” Cloutier said.
Council member Rick Franklin said the investment would support the future of McKinney students and contribute to the local workforce. He also commended the representatives of the McKinney Education Foundation for their work in supporting local students.
“What better way to build our workforce than do it with our own kids?” Franklin said. “We’re going to need that because we’ve got a lot of companies looking at McKinney, and that’s one of their main goals is to have an educated workforce. ... I’m basically sold.”
Quote of note
“The investment will enable us to leverage more support, expand our reach [and] help more students through post-high school education opportunities,” Due said. “It will enhance economic mobility for all of our students but specifically our most vulnerable.”
Looking ahead
No action was taken on the request. Council members will consider this proposal during the City Council budget work session scheduled for Aug. 9, according to the city’s website.
