McKinney ISD will be taking creative steps in an effort to maximize the efficiency of its high school facilities. As a result of the economic downturn, and subsequent slowdown in new housing starts in the district, McKinney North High School student enrollment has not met previous demographic projections. As a result, the school currently enrolls approximately 1,400 students, in a facility designed to hold 2,400 students. The McKinney ISD Board of Trustees approved a plan to concentrate a number of Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses and programs at McKinney North High School beginning next fall, as well as a plan offering open enrollment at the school to increase student enrollment.

“The focus throughout the process was to create a plan that offers choice, if at all possible, rather than simply rezone high schools,” said Cody Cunningham, assistant to the superintendent for communications. “We will have an application process with specific criteria to be considered, and we’ll monitor the number of students transferring. This is the least disruptive option currently available to us, and our hope is that these collective efforts will help us to utilize our facilities as efficiently as possible.”

The strategies are also expected to provide some relief to McKinney Boyd High School. The school currently enrolls over 2,800 students with a building capacity of 3,000 students.

The open enrollment will apply to any high school student whose residence is in the McKinney ISD, and is currently zoned for McKinney High School or McKinney Boyd High School, with a desire to transfer to McKinney North High School. We have listed several of the guidelines, but more comprehensive information will be communicated from the campuses to high school students and incoming ninth graders.

For additional information regarding the open enrollment process and changes in CTE course offerings please contact one of the high schools and ask to speak with a campus advisor or counselor. For additional information about the McKinney Independent School District, contact Cody Cunningham, Assistant to the Superintendent for Communications at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Justin Acker, Communications Specialist, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Both can be reached by phone at 469-742-4095.

The University of North Texas is simplifying the process required to become a private investigator with the launch of the state’s first training program that will qualify participants for the Texas private investigator licensing exam.

Prior to this program, becoming eligible for the state exam required a degree in criminal justice or at least three consecutive years of investigative experience. Last month, the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Private Security Board passed a regulation based on presentations by the developers of the UNT program, making individuals who earn a certificate from UNT eligible for the exam.

“During my time on the Private Security Board, I became aware that approximately 50 percent of all private investigations companies fail in their first year of business. These failures occur primarily because the new licensees have no idea what is required to succeed,” said John Chism, chairman of the state Private Security Board. “Programs like UNT’s will provide a sound footing for a new licensed private investigator to succeed and better serve the citizens of the state of Texas.”

UNT’s program will not only train participants in the theory and practice of private investigations, but will also cover the business side. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to launch their own private investigations businesses or work in a variety of fields such as insurance, law and business.

The program will be administrated by the Professional Development Institute at UNT, and will be offered in Dallas and in Houston. Dr. Scott Belshaw, UNT professor and former owner of a Houston-based private investigation firm, and Karen Hewitt, UNT alumna and co-founder of Hewitt & Cowden Investigations in Dallas, developed the program’s curriculum. They were committed to developing a program that was comparable to a four-year degree. Participants will be required to complete 12 courses, for a total of 220 hours of instruction. Upon completion, students will earn a certificate in professional private investigations.

“These students will have every advantage as they work toward becoming quality private investigators,” said Belshaw. “Our instructors will include professors, private investigators from the community and even former FBI agents.”

The Dallas program will begin on March 19 at the University of Dallas, and the Houston program will begin on March 26 at the University of St. Thomas. The program will be taught in an executive style with classes on Friday evenings and all day on Saturdays. The program lasts for approximately four and half months.

Each session will be able to accommodate approximately 40 students.

For more information or to register, visit http://legal.pdi.org.