Trustees approve District of Innovation amendment to allow limited class-size flexibility in pre-K'04

The San Felipe del Rio CISD Board of Trustees voted Sept. 15 to amend the district's District of Innovation plan to include an exemption from Education Code sections 25.112 and 25.113 that govern class-size limits and notice requirements. District staff said the change is intended to reduce the need to file repeated waivers with the Texas Education Agency when a class briefly goes above the 22-to-1 ratio.
Administrators and board members stressed that the district will continue to budget for a 22-to-1 ratio in pre-K through fourth grade and that the amendment is intended to preserve instruction by a certified teacher when possible. Superintendent Doctor. Rios said the district would continue to hire certified teachers when available and rely on instructional aides or retired teachers for short-term relief.
Board discussion noted practical limits: fifth grade class-size rules differ (fifth grade may be allowed up to 25-to-1 under state guidance) and campus leaders will consider timing of the school year, space availability and student needs before using the flexibility. The amendment passed by unanimous vote.