What we reported Conroe and Montgomery ISDs are in pursuit of District of Innovation designations by the Texas Education Agency. The DOI designation allows local school districts to implement some of the same waivers from state mandates that are available to charter schools.

The latest CISD approved its DOI plan during its Dec. 13 board of trustees meeting. Under the new designation, the district changed the school start date to Aug. 16 when it approved its new school calendar during its Jan. 17 meeting. The district does not plan to pursue additional exemptions under its current innovation plan. MISD has formed a DOI advisory committee to prepare a tailor-made plan for the district.

What’s next MISD will post its DOI plan on the district website consider approval of its DOI plan in early 2017. If implemented, the district could make changes to its school start date, attendance policies and the number of contract days teachers will work during future school years.