Trustees ask administration to model DOI changes to expand CTE staffing; staff cited ~$1M revenue left on table
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Summary
Board discussed using District of Innovation flexibility to allow industry professionals in CTE classrooms with local parameters approved by TEA; staff said uncertified CTE coding/permits may be costing about $1,000,000 in lost funding and offered to return with DOI scenarios tied to student outcomes.
Trustees asked administration to pursue options under a District of Innovation (DOI) designation to increase CTE (career and technical education) program capacity and reduce administrative barriers to placing industry professionals into classrooms.
Administrators explained DOI would let the district define local parameters for certification and hiring that could allow qualified industry professionals to teach CTE courses without holding standard teacher certifications, subject to TEA approval. Staff emphasized DOI does not remove expectations about classroom management or instructional quality and that the district would still provide pedagogy and mentoring to industry hires.
When asked how much revenue the district might be leaving on the table because of certification coding, a staff presenter provided an estimate: “I think right now, we're losing about $1,000,000 because we've got teachers that don't have the right certification,” the presenter said, noting the number was still being refined as staffing and program placements shifted late last year.
Trustees asked for two follow‑ups: an outcomes‑oriented DOI proposal that specifies how many additional seats or credentials students would gain under DOI changes, and an analysis of hiring processes and barriers to ensure the district can recruit industry professionals to classrooms without eroding instructional quality. Administration said DOI amendments must go through the district‑wide committee (DWIC) and then to the board before submission to TEA.
No formal decision was made; trustees directed staff to return with concrete DOI language and CTE scenarios linked to student outcome metrics and revenue impacts.