NBISD to consider becoming a district of innovation

Members of the New Braunfels ISD board of trustees on Nov. 8 heard a proposal from district Superintendent Cade Smith to make NBISD a district of innovation, or DOI.

A DOI designation allows Texas school districts to have more independent control over district operations. The concept was passed into law in 2015 during the 84th state Legislature.

“It allows public schools to have some of the flexibilities that charter schools have,” Smith said. “You pick and choose the ones that you want.”

If approved by the board, NBISD would be able to institute a uniform start date for each school year, review teacher benefits, and determine class sizes and student-to-teacher ratios without the need for a waiver.

The board is expected to vote in December on whether to move forward with the resolution. If the board decides to pursue the DOI designation, a public hearing will be held, and a planning committee will be appointed in January.

Once the committee is formed, the members will present their plan in March, and the board will vote on the resolution in April or May, Smith said.

Approximately 90% of independent school districts in Texas have received this designation, Smith said, including North East ISD and Hays CISD.