SCUC ISD staff propose District of Innovation amendments to ease reporting and narrow disciplinary paperwork

District staff brought a package of proposed amendments to the Schertz‑Cibolo‑Universal City ISD District of Innovation (DOI) plan Oct. 17, asking trustees to consider changes intended to streamline paperwork and provide campus flexibility in limited circumstances.

Miss Kovacs reviewed each proposed amendment, many of which had been vetted and approved by the District Improvement Committee. Key proposals included: allowing the district to report class‑size ratios for certain grades without repeated waiver submissions to TEA; permitting limited exceptions to the 90% attendance rule for awarding credit in extenuating circumstances (with campus request and district approval); granting an additional year for probationary contracts for experienced teachers new to the district to allow a fuller evaluation period; authorizing designated campus/district administrators to eject unruly guests without a prior written warning in urgent situations; allowing principals discretion to designate mentor teachers who may not meet the current three‑year experience requirement when a better match exists; and narrowly increasing allowable in‑ or out‑of‑school suspension days from three to five in specific severe cases and allowing short suspensions (up to three days) for some under‑third‑grade incidents when supports must be arranged.

Kovacs emphasized these changes are limited in scope, would require campus justification and district approval for use, and are not blanket waivers. The committee had individually approved all the suggested exemptions and the administration plans to bring the amendments back for board action in November with supporting documentation.

Trustees asked clarifying questions about scope, safeguards and the need for consistent application; no action was taken at the meeting.