Districts of Innovation were created in 2015 with passage of House Bill 1842 in order to give more autonomy to public school districts that meet state performance standards. The law allows designated innovation districts exemptions from those state education rules that open-enrollment charter schools are exempt from.
Per the law, a 30-member committee of school staff, district administrators, students and community members is crafting an innovation plan for FBISD. Here is what the group has discussed to date:
Dec. 2: first meeting
- The committee learned the history and specifics of HB 1842, including which rules districts may choose to opt out from, according to minutes of the meetings that have been released by FBISD.
For example, districts may exempt themselves from following some attendance-related requirements but not from administering state tests.
- Members reviewed results from a community survey on attaining Innovation status, according to meeting minutes. The results of the survey have not been made public.
- The group formed four subcommittees to study how different areas and functions of the school district could benefit from District of Innovation status, according to meeting minutes. Subcommittees will focus on:
- district-level planning decisions
- teacher appraisals, certifications and benefits
- student attendance and discipline
- fiscal management
Dec. 6: second meeting
- Members reviewed and discussed innovation plans created by other school districts, and talked about various problems facing FBISD students and teachers, according to the meeting minutes.
Shelby McIntosh, a managing director from education consulting company K12 Insight, is leading the group while Debra Esterak, an attorney with law firm Rogers, Morris & Grove, is providing legal counsel.
Members of the committee did not respond to requests for comment.
