Del Valle ISD administrators asked the board to renew the district’s District of Innovation (DOI) plan and to add two new exemptions intended to preserve local practices on grievances and library acquisitions.

Dr. Mark Cantu said the DOI—first adopted in 2015 and currently in place—gives local flexibility to waive certain state rules for up to five years. The administration proposed continuing two existing exemptions (adjusting the academic calendar start date and allowing staffing/certification flexibility to hire educators working toward certification) and adding two new exemptions: to maintain the district’s current grievance policy instead of adopting changes mandated by the 89th Legislature (cited in presentation as Senate Bill 12) and to preserve the district’s library materials acquisition process rather than the full 30‑day public posting and multi‑vetting sequence described in Senate Bill 13.

Ms. Murillo explained staffing exemptions allow the district to employ recent graduates, out‑of‑state certified teachers and career and technical experts while they earn certification; she said 34 teachers currently hold DOI placements (15 elementary, 19 secondary) and HR monitors progress with three check-ins over the first year. She and Dr. Cantu highlighted that the DAT (district advisory team) met twice, unanimously supported the proposal at its most recent meeting, and that the board needs a two‑thirds majority to adopt the plan.

Trustees debated the grievance‑timeline trade-offs: the new statutory timeline would extend certain filing and hearing windows (example cited: from 25 business days to 60 business days in initial filing), which trustees warned could cause loss of evidence (video retention commonly cited as 30 days) and complicate board calendars. Trustee Lodesmott Woody and others argued the extended timelines could help parents; others worried the extended windows reduce local control. On library acquisitions, Dr. Katrina Bailey illustrated how the statutory timetable could delay purchases (example: a book released Oct. 21 might not be approved for district purchase until mid‑January) and said the district seeks relief to expedite purchases while preserving parent block rights.

The DOI renewal was presented as an information item and will return for action at a subsequent meeting after the required posting and notification steps.