BISD TO EXPLORE BECOMING A DISTRICT OF INNOVATION

  

The Brenham Independent School District will move forward in exploring the possibility of becoming a District of Innovation.

During Monday night’s school board meeting, Dr. Jamey Johnson presented an overview of what a District of Innovation (DOI) entails. Passed by the 84th Legislative Session in Houston Bill 1842, a DOI allows districts to have more local control, flexibility, and more autonomy.

Dr. Johnson said the district would explore a DOI as it pertains to three issues. The first way the school district could use the DOI status is with the school calendar. A DOI could lend itself to the school district being able to establish a more balanced semester. Right now, the Fall semester is much shorter than the Spring. A DOI could also allow the district to use teachers that are non-certified, but highly effective. For example, the school district would be able to hire an electrical engineer who has 40 years of work experience, but is not certified as a teacher. Finally, the school district is considering how becoming a DOI could add more flexibility to teacher planning days.

Dr. Johnson and the school board emphasized during the meeting that they are in the beginning stages of exploring what becoming a District of Innovation would mean for BISD. Superintendent Walter Jackson also noted that they could become a DOI and choose not to use it if it was decided that it was not in the best interest of the school district.

In other business, the school board approved a one-time supplemental payment of $500 to all employees of the school district who are actively employed. The school board said they value the teachers and staff of the district, and the one-time payment shows they are appreciated.

The BISD also accepted a $20,000 donation from the Brenham Booster Club to be distributed between different sports.

In addition, the board also heard from each principal within the district as they gave presentations on campus improvement plans. The board also heard an update on the district’s CTE program.