Students in Plano, other districts head back to school

It’s the first day of school for some North Texas students. The biggest district starting Monday is Plano and some students there can expect changes.

Security is top of mind for many parents and staff. This year the Plano Independent School District will have improved security procedures districtwide.

For example, high school students will be required to wear ID badges as part of the dress code and each campus will have a marked patrol car and security monitors on site. Students will also notice upgrades at certain campuses.

The district’s new superintendent is also addressing growth. Plano ISD now has 54,000 students.

At Plano East Senior High School, 21 classrooms have been added to get rid of the four portable buildings being used on campus. The school also has a new large meeting room for staff.

There have been major renovations as well. Under-sized classrooms have been expanded, adding 28,000 square feet to the school. Nearly the entire existing building has been renovated and improved.

“We’ve done a lot of renovation over this very short summer at many of our campuses. So a lot of kids and teacher and parents will come into schools that have been completely refinished from the ground up. And they’ll have a brand new school in which to learn and make friends and have a great school experience,” said Superintendent Sara Bonser.

Students in six other school districts return to class Monday. They include Alvarado, Athens, Cleburne, Commerce, Kennedale and Rice.

The three largest districts in North Texas – Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington – start next Monday.

FOX 4 wants to see how you’re getting ready for the first day of school. Share your back to school photos on Facebook and Twitter. We’ll put some of our favorites on air.