HOUSTON – Several members in Houston ISD’s advisory committee received an email Wednesday night thanking them for their time on the voluntary committee and ending their service.
“We don’t have a voice now, it’s the takeover, Mike Miles is not accountable to us, the board of managers is not accountable to us,” said Karina Quesada, a former member. “The DAC in some regard was still accountable.”
Quesada received the email from Kari Feinberg, the district’s deputy chief of staff and the advisory committee facilitator.
“As is customary, the School Board and Superintendent will announce appointments to the District Advisory Committee to bring new voices and perspectives to the table. Your appointment to the DAC has now ended effective immediately, and we thank you for the time, energy, and insight you have provided so far,” the email said.
Quesada believes the timing is convenient as Superintendent Mike Miles hopes the district to become a District of Innovation.
“We don’t decide anything,” she said. “The only thing the district advisory committee does have power on is approving a district of innovation plan.”
“Superintendent Miles is grateful for everyone who volunteers their time and energy to serve on the DAC and looks forward to working with all members of the committee,” said the district spokesperson.
According to the superintendent’s office, the new strategy would allow the district “to compete for exceptional teaching talent and modify the academic calendar.”
Districts of Innovation can opt-out of multiple state education laws regarding district attendance, school calendar, teacher certification, class size limits, and more.
Superintendent Mike Miles said this designation would allow the district to add more instruction days which would take school days to 180 or 185 instead of the current 172.
Before HISD can become a District of Innovation, they would first need the district advisory committee to approve the measure.
Then the board of managers would need to appoint an innovation plan committee entitled to come up with ‘comprehensive educational program’ which may include, according to the Texas Education Agency, “(A) innovative curriculum, instructional methods, and provisions regarding community participation, campus governance, and parental involvement;
(B) modifications to the school day or year;
(C) provisions regarding the district budget and sustainable program funding;
(D) accountability and assessment measures that exceed the requirements of state and federal law; and
(E) any other innovations prescribed by the board of trustees;”
The board then must post the plan for 30 days and notify the TEA Commissioner of their plan.
There are more than 960 districts statewide with the designation.
Here are the schools participating in the Houston-area:
· Katy ISD
KPRC 2 reached out to all the districts several of them raved about their experience as ‘districts of innovation.’
“Friendswood ISD has been a District of Innovation since 2017, and this status has allowed for increased flexibility and local control to shape education in a way that aligns with the community’s needs,” said Friendswood ISD Superintendent Thad Roher.
At Fort Bend ISD, the district is on the second cycle as a ‘districts of innovation.’ The communications director said the designation has given them flexibility and critical in hiring.
“One of the biggest benefits is how we are allowed to employ teachers for hard-to-fill positions. This has helped our Career and Technical Education program tremendously,” Sherry Williams said. “If we were not a DOI [District of Innovation], it would be an incredible challenge to find qualified, vetted instructors to teach these subjects and skills to our students.”