Fort Bend ISD
DISTRICT OF INNOVATION
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
3:00
Welcome & Introductions
3:15
Presentation: What is a District of Innovation?
3:45
Presentation: Legal Considerations
INNOVATION COMMITTEE MEETING 1
4:15
Break
December 2, 2016
4:35
Presentation: Community Priorities Survey Results
5:35
Activity: Form subcommittees
5:50
Closing remarks and next steps
FORT BEND ISD MISSION, VISION, AND CORE BELIEFS
WHAT IS A DISTRICT OF INNOVATION?
A District of Innovation is a concept passed by the 84th Legislative Session in
House Bill 1842, effective immediately, that gives traditional independent
school districts most of the flexibilities available to Texas’ open enrollment
charter schools. To access these flexibilities, a school district must adopt an
innovation plan, as set forth in the Texas Education Code chapter 12A.
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TASB Legal Services
WHAT KIND OF FLEXIBILITY?
The kind that . . .
▪ Removes restrictions that prohibit innovation.
▪ Allows for big ideas to transform schools and they way they serve their
students.
▪ Eliminates barriers to student success.
▪ Allows Fort Bend ISD to fulfill its mission, achieve its vision, and commit to its
Core Beliefs.
WHAT KIND OF FLEXIBILITY?
Requests for flexibility typically fall into one of the following categories:
School District
Planning and Decision
Making
Educators
Appraisals, certification,
duties/development, benefits
Students
Attendance, calendar,
class size, discipline
Fiscal
Management
Depositories, purchases,
misc.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES FOR FORT BEND ISD?
Collaboration
A true “merging of the minds” with a
variety of FBISD stakeholders.
Customization
What we need for some, we
may not need for all
Local Control
Empowering our community to
transform our schools
WHAT CONCERNS MIGHT OUR COMMUNITY HAVE?
Some members of our community may worry that . . .
▪ Increased flexibility = decreased accountability
▪ Parents, students or staff members could lose rights and protections
granted to them by law
▪ The product of this process will only reflect the desires of a select few
If we do this the right way, we will ensure
none of these fears are actualized.
WHAT IS THE RIGHT WAY?
Truly Innovate
Ask for
Feedback
Honor the design process;
force yourself and your
team to think beyond the
typical solution
Seek opportunities to
collaborate with other
committee members and
involve the committee
Stay Focused
Keep in mind FBISD’s
Mission, Vision, and Core
Beliefs, as well as the
unique priorities of this
vastly diverse community
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
Debbie Esterak, J.D.
Partner, Rogers, Morris & Grover, LLP
COMMUNITY PRIORITIES SURVEY
Shelby McIntosh, Ph.D.
Managing Director, K12 Insight
ACTIVITY
Choose one of the following topics you would like to explore further through this process:
School District
Planning and Decision
Making
Educators
Appraisals, certification,
duties/development, benefits
Students
Attendance, calendar,
class size, discipline
Fiscal
Management
Depositories, purchases,
misc.
PREPARING FOR OUR NEXT MEETING
Please review the following:
▪ Example DOI plans from other districts
▪ The Raise Your Hand Texas report
▪ TASB’s FAQ list
▪ TASB’s Innovation Table
https://www.tasb.org/Services/Legal-Services/TASB-School-LaweSource/Governance/Districts-of-Innovation/Districts-Table.aspx
www.k12insight.com