Lamar CISD approves vendors for Innovative School Day programs

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

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.