McKinney ISD appoints Jennifer Gray to fill O'Dell's Place 6 seat

McKinney ISD has a new trustee. The school board appointed Jennifer Gray, a longtime McKinney resident and former district employee, to the Place 6 seat at a special meeting August 17, after accepting the resignation of trustee Stephanie O’Dell.

One of the seven seats on the board that oversees the district’s schools, budget and superintendent changed hands outside a normal election. Gray will serve the remainder of the term, the district said.

Gray has lived in McKinney since 1995 and is the parent of two MISD graduates. She spent years in PTA and booster club leadership across the district, served on the district’s 2015, 2021 and 2025 bond committees, and worked for the district as a substitute teacher, library aide and campus secretary before retiring in June 2026. She also volunteers as a court-appointed advocate for foster children in Collin County.

“Her experience as an MISD parent, volunteer, committee member and employee gives her a valuable perspective on the work of the district,” board President Amy Dankel said in the announcement.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the students, staff, families and community of McKinney ISD,” Gray said.

O’Dell did not give a specific reason for stepping down. “It is time for this chapter of my life to come to a close,” she said in the district’s announcement, adding that she plans to keep volunteering on campuses.

The board handled the vacancy in a closed session allowed under Section 551.074 of the Texas Government Code, the state law that lets a board discuss personnel matters in private, including possible interviews with nominees. The votes came afterward in open session, at the district’s Central Administration Building at 1 Duvall Street.

Gray takes the oath at the board’s next regular meeting, September 14 at 6 p.m. at the CEC, where the board also plans to honor O’Dell.

Your friendly neighbor, T.