The McKinney ISD board of trustees approved a resolution to become a District of Innovation during a board meeting Nov. 14. The designation gives the district more local control and increased freedom and flexibility, according to district documents. A DOI is a Texas Education Agency-sanctioned designation for public school districts that exempts districts from certain state education laws. A DOI could choose to hire industry professionals to teach certain subjects, raise class-size caps, lower mandatory attendance rates and use unique instruction methods. The thought is that with fewer restrictions, districts could pursue more innovative practices. The district will hold a public hearing before Dec. 14 to consider whether the district should develop a local innovation plan. Within 30 days of the public hearing, the board of trustees will appoint a committee to develop the plan or decline to pursue the designation as a DOI.