Round Rock ISD is taking public comment on its proposal to seek a District of Innovation, or DOI, designation, as more Austin-area school districts move to take advantage of the law that allows them to exempt schools from certain state regulations.

RRISD trustees are expected to vote Oct. 20 on approval of the district's DOI proposal. The public review period is open until Oct. 18.

Texas House Bill 1842, which state lawmakers passed in 2015, created the DOI system, which lets traditional school districts adopt innovation plans and seek exemptions to some state regulations previously offered only to charter schools. The option was designed to give districts more control over start and end dates, teacher certification requirements, class size ratios and attendance demands.

Since the law's passage, districts that have sought to attain DOI designations have lauded the chance for more flexibility in hiring and scheduling practices.

But some teachers have criticised the DOI concept as too far-reaching and a risk to teachers' job security.

According to Round Rock ISD, the district's DOI design committee recommends trustees approve seeking exemptions from seven state statutes regarding education. They include: teacher certifications for dual credit, career and technical education and foreign language courses; minimum minutes of instruction; minimum attendance for class credit; calendar requirements for the first and last day of school; class size ratio requirements for kindergarten through fourth grade; Sept. 1 age deadline for 5-year-olds entering kindergarten; and requirements for teacher mentors.

Several other local school districts are considering DOI-related action.

Austin ISD trustees voted Monday to set a public hearing in October to consider a designation.

Last week, Lake Travis ISD trustees initiated a process to attain DOI status. A public meeting and a board vote are expected in December.

Nearby Eanes ISD formed a committee June 21 to develop its DOI plan and Dripping Springs ISD was designated as a DOI in June.

Georgetown ISD is also exploring DOI options.