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Abilene ISD previews renewed District of Innovation plan; board scheduled to vote Jan. 12
Summary
Allison Sims told trustees the DOI plan has been developed by teachers, principals and the district‑wide committee, posted for 30 days on the district website for feedback, and will return for a board vote Jan. 12. The plan seeks 11 exemptions—including flexibility on school calendar dates, teacher certification rules for some roles, credit‑recovery GPA treatment and probationary contract timelines.
Allison Sims, associate superintendent for human resources development, told the Abilene ISD board that the district is "nearing the finish line for our district of innovation plan but we're not quite there yet," and reviewed the process and the exemptions the plan would request if the board approves moving forward.
Sims said a committee of elementary, middle and high school teachers and principals drafted the plan, the district‑wide consultation committee (DWCC) unanimously approved it, and the proposal has been posted on the district website for the required 30‑day public comment period ahead of a planned board vote on Jan. 12. Sims added staff notified the commissioner on Dec. 3 that the board intends to consider the plan.
The plan outlines 11 possible exemptions from certain state statutes to give the district more local flexibility. Sims summarized examples the committee recommended: flexibility on the first and last day of instruction; authority to employ non‑certified teachers in high‑need areas and CTE roles consistent with state limits on foundation courses; a process for counting credit‑recovery grades in GPA calculations; potential extension of probationary contracts by one year on a case‑by‑case basis; flexibility on interdistrict transfer durations when student behavior or attendance does not meet expectations; adjustment of staff‑development timing; limited discretion over minimum instruction minutes in exceptional circumstances; and options for planning‑period scheduling that would be voluntary for teachers.
Sims emphasized that listed exemptions are options the district could use if needed, not commitments to change current practice. When trustees asked about safeguards for staff, Sims said voluntary planning‑period changes would require a signed form and would not allow administrators to force teachers to forgo planning time.
Sims also clarified certification limits: state rules still require certified teachers in foundation courses (English, math, science and social studies) and for kindergarten through fifth grade; the DOI would help the district employ qualified experts in certain CTE areas while complying with state certification requirements.
The proposal will remain on the district website for the public comment period prescribed by statute. If the board approves the plan in January and the state accepts the application, the district would gain local authority on the specified items; any change would follow the district’s required public notice and board process.
