TASB adviser says district DOI plans will replace duplicative local policy language; CSISD to keep complaint procedures in local policy

Amy Kadlecek, a policy adviser from TASB, told the College Station ISD Board of Trustees at a workshop that TASB plans to stop embedding district-specific District of Innovation (DOI) exemptions directly into local policy text when those exemptions are already documented in each district's DOI plan. Kadlecek said the change is intended to avoid duplicative or artificial local-policy language and to point stakeholders to DOI plans posted on district and TEA websites.

Kadlecek said the shift follows changes after recent legislative sessions that removed or altered many previously common DOI exemptions; instead of rewording local policies to repeat DOI choices, the policy service will place a DOI note in the legal framework and rely on the district's DOI plan as the authoritative local record. "Your DOI plan is your local policy about whatever exemption that you all are choosing to make," Kadlecek said, noting DOI plans must be posted and accessible.

The TASB adviser gave specific examples of where local policy text will still be retained: policies governing complaints and grievances. Kadlecek cited employee, parent/student and public complaint policies (DGBA, FNG and GF) as items that need clear local policy language because administrators and the public rely on those procedures to file complaints and follow timelines changed under recent law. She also noted certain locally created policy provisions (for example, a DCA policy about extending probationary contracts) had been added by TASB in the past and are being recommended for deletion where the legal framework already governs the topic.

Board members asked whether the legal-framework notes themselves changed; Kadlecek said the notes remain and will be updated as needed, but local-policy wording is largely stylistic cleanup rather than a substantive policy change. Board member discussion confirmed the workshop was informational; the board will vote on any policy changes at a future regular meeting after the usual review process.

Next steps: Kadlecek offered to review proposed DOI amendments after the district committee completes its work so TASB can prepare appropriate edits to the policy manual prior to final board action. The board also heard that the district plans further DEIC review of the DOI plan beginning in September and expects to bring any needed policy updates back to the board for vote at the next regular meeting.