Cy-Fair ISD began the process at its Sept. 9 meeting to become officially recognized as a District of Innovation, a designation intended to provide districts more flexibility to meet student needs. According to the Texas Association of School Boards, a District of Innovation is granted many of the capabilities already granted to charter schools, including the ability to change the school start date.

The district could also apply to be exempt from the state’s 90% attendance rule, requirements for class size ratios and mandates regarding teacher appraisal requirements. However, there are many mandates to which the district would still have to adhere, including curriculum and graduation requirements and financial accountability rules.

If all goes according to plan, CFISD could receive its designation by the end of 2019. Read more about CFISD’s decision and what the next few months will entail here.