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Lubbock ISD reviews District of Innovation plan as state law narrows hiring flexibilities and changes discipline rules
Summary
The district’s District of Innovation plan remains in place but state law changes will phase out DOI hiring flexibilities for certain core subjects and alter drug-discipline procedures; the district plans support and waiver strategies for adjunct teachers and will monitor agency guidance.
Misty Rieber reviewed the district’s District of Innovation (DOI) plan adopted in 2022 and described how recent state law changes will limit DOI flexibilities. She said the district currently uses DOI exemptions to hire college-degree holders as adjuncts while they complete certification, but upcoming changes will restrict that ability for K–5 reading and math next year and expand restrictions through the 2027–28 school year to reading, math, science and social studies across K–12.
Rieber said the district plans to pursue waivers and emergency permits to ease the transition for current and future adjunct hires and to develop “grow your own” programs, tutoring, and grant strategies to support certification. She emphasized the process will be challenging for future hiring.
On discipline changes under House Bill 6, Rieber said the DOI can no longer replace certain disciplinary actions with drug-intervention programs: students involved in possession or use must be removed from campus—often to in-school suspension (ISS) for a first offense with parent consent and to disciplinary alternative placement (PIA) for a second offense; selling or distributing drugs results in automatic PIA. The district said it has secured grants to continue drug-intervention services across placements.
Rieber also noted practical steps taken to reduce contraband vaping in PIA, including updated clothing with no pockets. The district said it is closely monitoring state agency guidance before recommending changes to its DOI plan.
