As students across Plano ISD returned to classrooms, Superintendent Dr. Theresa Williams made her traditional first-day rounds — this time with a few new challenges and a continued sense of purpose. The district gave WFAA an opportunity to the join the superintendent and school board President Dr. Lauren Tyra on a ride-along to several schools, especially those schools who have new principals at the helm. “Happy First Day,” Williams exclaimed to a group of educators at the first stop at Aldridge Elementary in Richardson. Williams, who has been in education three decades, said the excitement of the first day never gets old. The next stop was to the parents, students, and staff at Haggard Middle School, one of the oldest schools in the district. It's a school that will be replaced by a brand new building the following school year, thanks to a 2022 bond. "We're building today's learners to be tomorrow's leaders," said Williams. While Plano ISD has long been known for academic excellence, the district is adapting to shifting realities. Enrollment has dropped to 45,000 students, driven by a confluence of factors including declining birth rates and high housing values. “The enrollment changes are largely driven by forces outside of the school district, whether they are larger societal forces or housing prices,” explained Tyra. FULL STORY: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/education/schools/plano-isd-embraces-diversity-and-innovation-as-enrollment-shifts/287-9e9e6584-00ed-4cd9-9b35-48533874811e