This article has been updated since publication
Local authorities in Collin County, including a school district, have harassed three moms in a quest to control a school booster club and its funds, even going so far as to arrest them.
Plano Independent School District targeted the Jasper High School Choir Booster Club for control of its bank account after the mothers charged with running the independent organization insisted that the district pay for Jasper High School’s stage—as was the district’s responsibility.
The district had the Plano police arrest the booster club’s founders—Laura Cervantes, Krisinda Lingenfelter, and Maria Luisa King. Yet, after a Collin County grand jury failed to find enough evidence to prosecute these moms, a Plano municipal judge recently awarded the club’s bank funds to Plano ISD.
This story is based on court filings and oral arguments heard in the Plano Municipal Court. It also includes the case history and exclusive documents obtained by Texas Scorecard. Some documentation is being withheld to protect the identity of the source.
Background
It all started in 2022.
According to the booster club’s website, Laura Cervantes—president of the club—alleges the dispute began when Plano ISD suggested the club fund needed repairs to Jasper High School’s stage. Cervantes argued that facility maintenance is the district’s responsibility. The club “funds meals, attire, and the cost of competitions and trips for the choir students, not maintenance of school property.”
School officials began demanding documents reportedly not required by district policy or any state or federal law. Despite the club submitting all requested documents, Plano ISD (PISD) disavowed the club—meaning it was no longer associated with Jasper High School and could not provide funding to the choir.
The Jasper High School Choir Booster Club was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2013, making it a distinct corporate entity recognized by the State of Texas and the IRS. The club remained incorporated and maintained its Prosperity Bank account while determining how to proceed.
Cervantes claims she was sent threatening emails demanding club funds, and parents of the choir students were told that club officers—including Ms. Cervantes—“were misusing Club money.” She subsequently filed a grievance with PISD.
PISD administrators and staff formed a new choir booster club without the original club’s knowledge. Then, PISD Director of Fine Arts Dr. Phillip Morgan instructed the leaders of the newly formed club to contact Prosperity Bank and escorted them there to replace the former club’s signers.
Prosperity Bank initially complied, but reportedly became concerned that the action was fraudulent. The bank’s attorneys got involved and, after working with Plano ISD’s attorneys, decided the original booster club members were the rightful owners of the money. The bank issued a check to the original Jasper High School Choir Booster Club, closing the account. The funds were then deposited in a booster club account opened at Vantage Bank.
Criminal Case
After the attempted takeover of their bank account, the original booster club leaders filed a complaint with the Plano police. While that complaint was dismissed, the new club succeeded in having the original booster club’s officers arrested.
Plano PD Detective Jerry Minton investigated claims made by the new booster club president, Sommer Ludwig, and agreed with Plano ISD that the new club’s officers were entitled to take over the original club’s bank account.
Cervantes, Lingenfelter, and King were taken into custody on August 26, 2024 before posting bond, which was set at $25,000 by Judge Lisa Bronchetti.
Their bond conditions specified that they could not “work or volunteer in any capacity that requires handling the money of others.”
In December 2024, a Collin County grand jury decided to “no bill” the case, meaning it did not find the evidence convincing enough to proceed with a criminal case.
Texas Scorecard obtained and reviewed documentation that a $35 check to the Jasper Choir from Judge Bronchetti and her husband’s bank account was written in March 2013. The check bounced due to insufficient funds. It is unclear from the signature who signed it.
Stephan Phillips—Judge Bronchetti’s court administrator—told Texas Scorecard that “Judge Bronchetti does not know any of the accused individuals nor anyone associated with the Jasper Choir or Boosters.” Phillips’ response did not acknowledge Bronchetti’s bounced check.
Municipal Court Case
During the course of its investigation, the Plano PD froze the booster club’s bank account and seized the remaining $4,437.39 on August 2, 2024.
Once the original booster club’s officers were cleared by the grand jury and the charges against them were dropped, the club was taken to Plano Municipal Court to determine who had the superior right to possession of the funds.
District Judge Jennifer Edgeworth signed the warrant for seizure of the money. Amy Munger, Judge Edgeworth’s court coordinator, told Texas Scorecard that Edgeworth “has not had a child in Plano ISD since June of 2019” and “has not had any other involvement before or after signing this warrant.”
“In this case, the sworn affidavit was provided [to Edgeworth] by a peace officer with the Plano Police Department,” said Munger.
Oral arguments were held on May 30 before Judge Paul McNulty, chief judge for the Municipal Court of Plano. Texas Scorecard was in attendance.
Recording devices were banned from the trial and the booster club was denied its request to bring a court reporter.
On June 2, Judge McNulty released his decision in the form of a Magistrate’s Order.
The Plano Police Department was ordered to deliver the $4,437.39 cash “to the Plano Independent School District, by and through Superintendent Dr. Theresa Williams … solely for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the Jasper High School Student Choir.”
Attorney Scott Palmer—who represented the Jasper High School Choir Booster Club—provided Texas Scorecard with his analysis.
“The funds should not have been seized in the first place. As the Grand Jury ultimately determined, there was no probable cause to support the seizure. The funds unquestionably belong to our clients’ nonprofit corporation,” Palmer said.
“The funds were improperly awarded to Plano ISD, which, we have contended all along, made efforts to deprive this nonprofit corporation of these funds by having a sham new board show up at our clients’ bank and attempt to hijack the funds,” Palmer commented in response to the judge’s ruling against the club.
Palmer also criticized Judge McNulty’s handling of the May 30 property hearing. McNulty spent time questioning King on whether the club spent its funds responsibly.
“The judge allowed this hearing to go well beyond its intended scope. This was a property hearing to determine the rightful owner of the funds. That question should have been easily answered: return the funds from where they were seized, our clients’ bank account,” said Palmer.
“Instead, we believe the Court put weight on the history and drama between the parties, which was not the Court’s purpose or function … and awarded the money to Plano ISD rather than answer the question of who has the superior property interest in the funds,” Palmer continued.
Palmer expressed his concern for the precedent set by McNulty’s ruling.
“This order has taken the rightful power away from a charitable entity to determine how it will spend its money,” said Palmer. “Instead, it has given that power to Plano ISD, a separate entity. This should be deeply concerning for parent volunteers of booster clubs and PTAs in Plano ISD.”
Cervantes voiced similar concerns before McNulty’s ruling.
“The Jasper Choir Booster Club is not the only victim of this scheme in Plano ISD. But we have the will to defend it from ever happening to another club again,” she stated.
Aftermath
Following Judge McNulty’s ruling, PISD’s board discussed proposed revisions to its policies on district-associated booster clubs and other parent organizations.
“Organizational bylaws shall include provisions for disposal of funds and/or property to the District in case said organization is disavowed, disbands, or ceases to operate,” reads the revision, which was presented at the June 10 school board meeting.
Under the new policy, the principal and/or superintendent have the power to “dissolve or reform” an organization if they determine it is not complying with district policies.
When compared with Plano ISD’s 2019 policies, these proposed revisions represent a significant increase in district control over these types of clubs and parent organizations.
Under those provisions, booster clubs operated as independent nonprofits, managing their own funds and submitting annual documents to the district. They could suggest donation uses, and the district could veto actions or disavow non-compliant clubs but couldn’t forcibly dissolve them or seize funds without a membership vote on club dissolution. Assets are transferred to the district only if the club is dissolved.
However, in the 2025 revision, PISD can unilaterally dissolve or disavow non-compliant clubs, seize funds within 30 days, and enforce asset transfer through mandatory bylaws. The revision tightens district control with annual audits, stricter fundraising and vendor rules, and gives superintendents or principals authority to veto actions, dissolve, or reform clubs at their discretion.
There’s also an indirect connection between PISD and Judge McNulty, who was not elected, but rather appointed Chief Judge for the Municipal Court by the Plano City Council in 2022.
The Plano City Council is made up of eight members, including Mayor John Muns, who served on the Plano ISD board as a trustee for 16 years—three as president—according to his Plano city government profile.
The city council conducts an annual performance review to decide McNulty’s salary. In 2022, Judge McNulty had an annual salary of $163,953, which was raised to $196,683 by 2024—an increase of over $32,000 in just two years.
Lesley Range-Stanton—chief communications officer for Plano ISD—told Texas Scorecard, “Any legal proceedings involving former Jasper Choir Booster Club officers are a matter between the current booster organization and the previously disbanded group. Plano ISD was not a party to these proceedings.”
“It is important to note that recent policy updates are unrelated to and have no bearing on this situation, which has been in dispute outside of the district since 2019,” the statement said.
Judge McNulty, Mayor Muns, Detective Minton, and Dr. Morgan did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s request for comment before publication.
If you or anyone you know has information regarding judicial malfeasance, please contact our tip line: scorecardtips@protonmail.com.
