Lamar Consolidated ISD officials are looking to refine the district’s Innovative School Day program.
What’s happening?
At a March 17 meeting, the Lamar CISD board of trustees approved several contract agreements for its Innovative School Day program with accredited vendors, including:
- YMCA of Greater Houston
- Young Audiences of Houston
- Sticky Fingers Cooking
- Maker Maven LLC
- Right At School
- ARDE Kids LLC
- Engineering for Kids of Southwest Houston
- Rose Costumes
- Brains & Motion Education
The outside agencies will be responsible for developing, organizing and implementing the programs, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Phillips said.
Vendors are subject to background checks and training before being brought in, LCISD officials said. Additionally, vendors are responsible for providing materials, equipment and additional assistance for the programs as well as submitting outcome reports and feedback after classes.
About the program
Innovative School Days allow teachers to catch up on their curriculum and offer students lessons “distinct from classroom instruction” in a multitude of skills to get them ready for what's ahead after they graduate, Phillips said. The program aims to increase teacher retention and work-life balance.
Programs are held once every two weeks and led by campus faculty members or “approved third-party vendors” for students attending pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Area Superintendent Charles Ryan said examples of student lessons include:
- Creating budgets
- Understanding credit
- Dating etiquette
- Adulting 101
- Cooking activities
- Theater arts
- Sewing
The program was first piloted at two high schools during the 2024-25 school year before expanding to all campuses in the 2025-26 school year,
Community Impact reported.
What they’re saying
While there was unanimous support for Innovative School Day from the board, Vice President Jon Welch said he had some concerns about the financial implications, long-term viability and what he has been hearing from other district employees about it.
“It’s really a hit and miss regarding the librarians, the paraprofessionals, the counselors and all the other folks,” Welch said. “Some of the campuses do it really well, and some of them don’t seem to really have a good handle on it yet.”
However, Lamar CISD Chief Learning Officer Christi Cottongame said elective teachers have time built into the calendar already to refine their lesson plans.
Additionally, President Jacci Hotzel said she understands not everything will be figured out at once and said it will take time before it becomes “equitable” for all schools.
“Overall, I love the idea of it, and I think it’s still in its infancy and you can’t possibly expect for something to be perfect its first year,” Hotzel said. “We’re going to be learning for a couple years on this and perfecting it.”
What’s next?
School principals will now choose from a list of vendors to enhance their Innovative School Days, Phillips said. Outside entities will align with staff to sort out scheduling and logistics to better administer the programs.
