Hays CISD Explores District Of Innovation Status

The District of Innovation concept, passed by the 84th Texas legislature, gives traditional independent school districts some of the flexibilities available to Texas’ open-enrollment charter schools.

Hays Consolidated Independent School District (Hays CISD) is considering becoming a District of Innovation.

On October 29, 2018, during its regularly scheduled board business meeting, the Hays CISD Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to initiate the process of exploring the benefits of becoming a District of Innovation.

With this status, Hays CISD would be able to further personalize how instruction is delivered to students.

The proposed Hays CISD District of Innovation plan is posted on the district’s website, along with other important information about the process, at a dedicated District of Innovation webpage www.hayscisd.net/doi.

Anyone who is interested in providing feedback or comment on the proposed plan may do so on this webpage or at an upcoming public forum advertised in the process timeline. 

The District of Innovation concept, passed by the 84th Texas legislature, gives traditional independent school districts some of the flexibilities available to Texas’ open-enrollment charter schools.

For example, Districts of Innovation can take advantage of the flexibility of a school year start date before the fourth Monday in August (which is currently required in the Texas Education Code).

Flexibilities like this allow districts to determine locally what best meets the needs of the students, parents, and the community.

It is important to note that while the District of Innovation concept allows school districts a variety of options, none automatically apply. Each District of Innovation is unique, based on the school district’s innovation plan.

Exemptions from requirements in the Texas Education Code that would be afforded to Hays CISD would be limited to what is specifically addressed in the Hays CISD innovation plan designed by the District of Innovation Committee.