Plano ISD details back-to-school readiness: facilities, transportation and RFID badge pilot

Plano ISD briefed trustees on back-to-school operations covering facilities maintenance, transportation planning, nutrition services and safety readiness as the district prepares to open for the 2026–27 school year.

Chief of Business Operations Steve Ewing outlined a preventive maintenance program, weekly campus walks and a new night crew to accelerate work-order completion. He said ServiceMaster has been engaged for deep cleaning and that HVAC and mold-response protocols are in place. Transportation staff reported roughly 386 routes and about 16,000 miles driven daily; staff also described an RFID-enabled student badge pilot that will have a soft rollout starting in October to help track student ridership and streamline operational processes.

The district highlighted the Plano ISD and City of Plano back-to-school fair that drew thousands: "We distributed 4,135 backpacks filled with school supplies," staff said. Trustees praised cross-agency collaboration and the operational teams working through tight timelines to ensure campuses are ready for the first day of school.