Alvin ISD board renews its district of innovation local plan

Alvin ISD’s board of trustees at its March 8 meeting unanimously approved its district of innovation local plan.

Under the district of innovation local plan, AISD qualifies for four exemptions from specific provisions of the Texas Education Code, Superintendent Carol Nelson said at the meeting.

“Alvin ISD’s District of Innovation plan must be renewed every five years to maintain a district of innovation designation,” Nelson said. “The current local innovation plan has been in place since March of 2017 and will expire this month.”

Exceptions included in the district of innovation local plan allow AISD to set the first day of classes before the fourth Monday in August and the power for AISD to retain local control over certifications required for hard-to-fill teaching positions, said Brent Shaw, AISD’s chief of accountability and assessment.

Additionally the plan gives AISD flexibility when evaluating teachers and principals, and exempts the district from having to submit annual class size waiver applications each time a class exceeds the class size state ratio, Shaw said.

“[The exceptions provide] more flexibility to school districts and local control for innovative programming,” Nelson said.