The Eanes ISD board of trustees in conjunction with The District Leadership Team discussed a resolution regarding amendments to the district’s plan for innovation.
EISD is an approved district of innovation, a system passed in 2017 that provides traditional independent school districts with additional flexibilities, which are given to open-enrollment charter schools, according to the Texas Association of School Boards.
If approved the amendments will allow the district to obtain greater local control of benefits for staff and control over district planning and decisions. The plan would also allow EISD to provide more flexibility in probationary contract terms for certain teachers and student credit by examination without prior instruction.
The district hires all incoming staff members on a one year probationary contract, according to Allyson Collins, the district's general counsel. The amendment would allow for potential extensions of that probationary term, up to three years.
Collins added that the amendments up for approval would allow the district to increase the required scores for students to obtain credits by taking an exam. The passing score was previously set at 90%, Collins said, adding that the rate was decreased in 2014 to 80%.
If passed the amendment would enable to district to increase that required score to 90%.
Deputy Superintendent Jeff Arnett stated that The District Leadership Team is scheduled to meet Feb. 27, adding that the district's plan for innovation will remain a continued discussion.
All amendments will become effective immediately after receiving approval from the Texas Education Agency.
The timeline for approving these amendments is as follows:
- Feb. 25: board of trustees passes resolution notifying the Texas Education Agency of intent to amend the plan;
- Feb. 27: amended plan will be posted on the EISD website for a minimum of 30 days;
- March 2: The District Leadership Team will hold a public meeting to review the plan;
- March 10: board of trustees will review the plan as approved and recommended by The District Leadership Team; and
- March 31: board of trustees will adopt the amended plan by an affirmative vote of two-thirds.
