Liberty Hill ISD asks state for temporary delay on teacher-certification deadline, citing staffing pipeline
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Summary
Trustees approved submitting an application to delay teacher-certification enforcement to allow locally hired teachers time to complete certification while the district scales mentor and residency supports.
The Liberty Hill ISD board voted Feb. 16 to seek a delay/exemption from the Texas Education Agency’s full certification timelines so the district can retain teachers who are locally vetted while they complete state certification requirements.
Human-resources leaders told trustees the district currently has 26 employees working without a standard Texas certificate (about 5% of teachers), 37 on an intern certificate, nine with out-of-state certificates in transition and 12 teachers working outside their assigned certification area. HR said those staff were hired after principals determined they were the best candidate and that the district has written individualized certification plans, mentors and monthly check-ins in place to support completion.
The district described a multi-part strategy aligned with state funding opportunities: a PREP mentorship allotment that will provide $3,000 per beginning teacher (with $1,000 to the mentor) for up to 40 teachers; a PREP 'grow-your-own' allotment offering $8,000–$12,000 annually per eligible paraprofessional to complete a bachelor’s degree in partnership with Texas State; a residency program model that would bring paid year-long residents to campuses (district would contribute $10,000 per resident) and a competitive Texas strategic staffing grant to fund coordination and design.
HR presenter Miss Lambert said the typical alternative-certification pathway takes about two years from program start to standard certification and emphasized principals’ role in hiring and monitoring progress: "When you find someone who truly loves kids, we can take care of the rest," she told the board.
Trustees discussed timelines, failure rates and whether the district might replace uncertified hires if a candidate fails to meet requirements. The board then approved the application to request a certification delay as presented.
District leaders said the request is meant to help retain teachers and finish certification plans already under way rather than to create a long-term exception.
The item passed by voice vote; district staff will submit the application and continue implementing mentor, residency and tuition-support programs.