After adopting a District of Innovation plan, the Conroe ISD board of trustees is now looking into an earlier start date for the 2017-18 school year.

As a District of Innovation—a new program approved during the 2015 state legislative session—CISD gains more flexibility and local control on certain state statutes. However, the only item adopted by CISD that would affect the district included instating a flexible school year start date and granting district-level control of the school calendar.

“[The committee] worked very diligently and had great conversation from input from community members, teachers, parents and administrators to develop the plan,” CISD Deputy Superintendent Curtis Null said.

Currently, students in Texas may not begin school before the fourth Monday in August. As a District of Innovation, CISD can control when the school year begins and ends, as well as determine when breaks are and add additional days off where time allows.

The district has three versions of possible 2017-18 school year calendars available online and open for public feedback. Some changes—aside from an earlier start date—include adding an additional day off in October and the possibility of a three-week winter break.

Although the vote to become a District of Innovation was unanimous among the board members, community members and CISD staff members have expressed concerns for adopting a plan in any capacity. Bozman Intermediate School teacher Kary Freemyer addressed the board during a Nov. 15 board meeting.

“If our district and school board are just concerned about changing the school calendar and hiring outside expertise as [career and technical education] instructors and there is no other way to make these adjustments, then, by all means, let that be considered in the plan,” Freemyer said. “However, I implore [the board] to investigate thoroughly the stipulations proposed in this plan.”

During board discussions, CISD board President Melanie Bush’s comments indicated she was in favor of the district becoming a District of Innovation.

“I’m all for the more local control the better,” Bush said.

The District of Innovation plan can be changed and added to, but the board must go through the approval process again, Null said. Regardless, the plan must be renewed every five years.

The appointed committee is aiming to present a recommendation for the 2017-18 calendar to the board in February.