December 20, 2024
During their regular meeting on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, the Plano ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved naming the district’s second Welcome and Enrollment Center in honor of retired Plano ISD Superintendent Sara Bonser and Coordinator of Student Services James Thomas III.
Image of retired Plano ISD Superintendent Sara Bonser and Coordinator of Student Services James Thomas with building renderings in front of the Plano ISD School Board dais.
The Bonser-Thomas Welcome and Enrollment Center recognizes Mrs. Bonser, who inspired the vision for the facility, and Mr. Thomas, who embodies the heart of the work and services that will be provided in this new space. The 11,000 sq. ft. center, located at 6210 Mapleshade Ln. in Dallas, will provide West Plano ISD families with enhanced wraparound services in multiple areas to promote student success in an efficient, caring and accessible manner strengthening family, school and community partnerships.
Rendering of the Bonser-Thomas Welcome and Enrollment Center.
Mrs. Bonser’s contributions to public education span 33 years, 25 of which were in Plano ISD as a teacher, principal and ultimately as superintendent. Her vision was instrumental in establishing the first welcome and enrollment center in east Plano in 2021, located at the Bird Center, 1300 19th St.
Describing the honor of having the center co-named along with Mr. Thomas as a humbling experience, Mrs. Bonser recalled their vision when establishing the first welcome and enrollment center. “We said back then that ‘it is time to wrap around and not have families run around.’ If we are dedicated to caring, then we are going to wrap around them and make it easy for families to come and feel welcomed,” said Mrs. Bonser. “Thank you to the Plano ISD board and leadership team for seeing this vision through.”
Mr. Thomas has more than 45 years of dedicated service in Plano ISD in various roles including teacher, coach and administrator. His work has particularly focused on supporting students and families in need, making him an ideal namesake for this facility. Mr. Thomas’s extensive work with community organizations and initiatives supporting homeless and at-risk students and families embodies the spirit of support and belonging that this center aims to provide. “What an honor this is, and I am so blessed,” Thomas said. “I cannot thank you enough.”
“Together, Sara Bonser and James Thomas represent over seven decades of combined service to Plano ISD,” said Plano ISD Superintendent Dr. Theresa Williams. “Their dedication to education, student success and community outreach make them exemplary choices for this honor. The Bonser-Thomas Welcome and Enrollment Center will reflect their legacy of compassion, exceptional care and commitment to the students and families of Plano ISD.”
Plano ISD School Board with Dr. Williams, retired Superintendent Sara Bonser and Student Services Coordinator James Thomas III.
After a thorough review process guided by the criteria established by board policy CW(Local), the appointed committee, which included President Nancy Humphrey as the board representative, made their recommendation.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who submitted nominations,” said Dr. Williams. “The number of worthy submissions made our decision a challenging one.”
The Bonser-Thomas Welcome and Enrollment Center is expected to be completed by late February 2025.
