Pflugerville ISD’s District of Innovation Committee approved a Local Innovation Plan that proposes a change to school start dates and the number of days it requires for 10-month contract employees, a press release stated Jan. 31. PfISD became a District of Innovation in March 2017 after the board of trustees approved the formation of a committee comprised of PfISD staff, administrators, community members and parents. According to Texas state law, a District of Innovation allows traditional school districts most of the flexibilities available to Texas' open-enrollment charter schools, the release stated. Some allowable changes include a greater flexibility with curriculum, instruction, parent or community involvement, school calendar and budgeting, according to the release. PfISD’s Local Innovation Plan proposes an earlier start date in August in addition to allowing PfISD to set the number of days required of 10-month contract employees. “The contract service days exemption would help us with teacher recruitment and retention and could lead to more professional development opportunities during the summer months,” said Brandy Baker, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. The Local Innovation Plan will be reviewed by the public and by the District Academic Advisory Committee at a Feb. 13 meeting before final consideration by the PfISD Board of Trustees.