Families at three Allen ISD schools walked into transformed buildings Thursday, Aug. 13, as students returned for the first day of the 2026-27 school year.

Anderson Early Childhood School, Cheatham Elementary and Curtis Middle School each reopened with completed renovations funded by the district's 2024 bond program, according to Allen ISD. Together, the three campuses serve roughly 2,400 students ranging from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

The projects are among the first visible results of Proposition A, the $419 million portion of a bond package Allen ISD voters approved in November 2024 with 56% support. The district said at the time of the vote that the bonds would not increase the tax rate, which stood at $1.1258 per $100 of assessed value.

Proposition A earmarked full campus renovations at seven schools, including the three that opened Thursday, plus Green Elementary, Norton Elementary, Olson Elementary and Ford Middle School.

The Curtis Middle School renovation alone carried a permit value of $51.25 million, according to a City of Allen building permit issued June 5 listing Balfour Beatty as general contractor. At the district's Aug. 7 Convocation ceremony, Acting Superintendent Kim McLaughlin told staff ahead of the school year: "When our students walk through our doors, they see a school ready to welcome them. What they may not see are the thousands of people who worked together to make that possible."

The district said the improvements reflect the community's continued investment in its students and schools. The Allen-Fairview Chamber of Commerce, Allen Council of PTAs and Allen Sports Association all endorsed the bond proposal before the November 2024 vote.

As we reported Thursday, the district welcomed approximately 20,000 students back across its 24 campuses for the new school year.

Upcoming Allen community events:

  • League of Legends Worlds is set to draw tens of thousands of visitors to the Allen corridor this fall.
  • Cottonwood Creek Trail construction begins following the Allen City Council's Aug. 12 approval of $4.2 million to link Plano to McKinney.