District of Innovation Northwest ISD Public Hearing October

District of Innovation Northwest ISD Public Hearing October 23, 2017

Background and Context • District of Innovation is a concept passed during the 84 th Legislative Session in House Bill 1842. HB 1842 gives traditional independent school districts the opportunity to gain flexibility through a variety of available exemptions to the Texas Education Code. • A school district must adopt an innovation plan in order to access these exemptions. • School districts may amend/change/extend an innovation plan through the same process utilized to adopt a plan. • A school district’s most recent academic performance rating must be at least acceptable in order to be eligible for designation as a District of Innovation. • District of Innovation replaces many of the TEA waiver processes.

Across the State • According to the TEA website, over 450 districts have submitted approved District of Innovation plans to the Commissioner. These districts vary in size, geographic location, and exemptions requested. Over 2 million students are served by these districts. • Lewisville, Plano, Allen, Coppell, Frisco, Denton, Grapevine-Colleyville, Richardson, and Grand Prairie are included above. • Other large districts include: Arlington, Clear Creek, Conroe, El Paso, Humble, Katy, Round Rock, and San Antonio.

Proposed DOI Timeline • September 25 - Present the NISD Board of Trustees a Resolution to create a District of Innovation (DOI) committee and plan for consideration. (TEC 12 A. OO 1(c)(1)) • October 23 - Public Hearing by NISD Board of Trustees (TEC 12 A. OO 2(a)) • September- November 28 - Nomination of membership and a series of committee meetings with NISD stakeholders. (TEA 12 A. 002(b)(2), 12 A. 003) – – Shared plans and ideas with DEIC and Supt. Roundtable while soliciting volunteers and nominations. Meetings include Oct. 25, Nov. 7, Nov. 14 and as needed sub-committees • November 28 - DEIC holds public meeting , votes on plan • December 11 - Plan presented to NISD School Board for consideration (must be posted for 30 days per TEC 12 A. 005(a)(1)) • January 22 - NISD School Board votes to approve final plan (TEC 12 A. 005(b)) • Plan submission to Commissioner (if Board approved)

Possible Topics to Explore • • Uniform Start Date Minutes of Instruction 90% Attendance Rate Teacher Certification Appraisals Contracts Campus Behavior Coordinator • Site Based Decision Making • • Class Size Student Transfers Credit By Exam Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Planning Periods Off Campus DAEP 3 Day limit on Suspensions Professional Development

Pros and Cons of becoming a District of Innovation • Pro’s • Allows for district flexibility on areas of interest • Regain of local control in some areas in which it has been lost over time • Join many other school districts across the state • Con’s • Relatively new process (84 th Legislative Session) – new territory • Uncertainties regarding how Legislature will treat these plans/this group of districts in the future • Is there a true benefit to student learning/instruction