1. DISTRICT OF INNOVATION
Fort Bend ISD
DISTRICT OF INNOVATION

2. WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

3. INNOVATION COMMITTEE MEETING 1 December 2, 2016
Welcome & Introductions
Presentation: What is a District of Innovation?
Presentation: Legal Considerations
Break
Presentation: Community Priorities Survey Results
Activity: Form subcommittees
Closing remarks and next steps
3:00
3:15
3:45
4:15
4:35
5:35
5:50
INNOVATION COMMITTEE MEETING 1
December 2, 2016

4. FORT BEND ISD MISSION, VISION, AND CORE BELIEFS

5. WHAT IS A DISTRICT OF INNOVATION?
A District of Innovation is a concept passed by the 84th Legislative Session in House Bill 1842, effective immediately, that gives traditional independent school districts most of the flexibilities available to Texas’ open enrollment charter schools. To access these flexibilities, a school district must adopt an innovation plan, as set forth in the Texas Education Code chapter 12A.
TASB Legal Services
Debbie will explain more about the history behind this initiative, i.e. the “why”

6. WHAT KIND OF FLEXIBILITY?
The kind that . . .
Removes restrictions that prohibit innovation.
Allows for big ideas to transform schools and they way they serve their students.
Eliminates barriers to student success.
Allows Fort Bend ISD to fulfill its mission, achieve its vision, and commit to its Core Beliefs.

7. WHAT KIND OF FLEXIBILITY?
Requests for flexibility typically fall into one of the following categories:
Educators
Appraisals, certification, duties/development, benefits
School District
Planning and Decision Making
Students
Attendance, calendar, class size, discipline
Fiscal Management
Depositories, purchases, misc.
Debbie will provide some specific examples of what flexibilities are available and what are not by law

8. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES FOR FORT BEND ISD?
Collaboration
A true “merging of the minds” with a variety of FBISD stakeholders.
Customization
What we need for some, we may not need for all
Local Control
Empowering our community to transform our schools
Beth and Ginger cover this slide with an emphasis that this is a grassroots effort, not something coming from district leadership

9. WHAT CONCERNS MIGHT OUR COMMUNITY HAVE?
Some members of our community may worry that . . .
Increased flexibility = decreased accountability
Parents, students or staff members could lose rights and protections granted to them by law
The product of this process will only reflect the desires of a select few
If we do this the right way, we will ensure none of these fears are actualized.

10. Ask for Feedback Stay Focused Truly Innovate
WHAT IS THE RIGHT WAY?
Ask for Feedback
Seek opportunities to collaborate with other committee members and involve the committee
Stay Focused
Keep in mind FBISD’s Mission, Vision, and Core Beliefs, as well as the unique priorities of this vastly diverse community
Truly Innovate
Honor the design process; force yourself and your team to think beyond the typical solution
Debbie will cover the official process required by law

11. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS Debbie Esterak, J.D.
Partner, Rogers, Morris & Grover, LLP

12. COMMUNITY PRIORITIES SURVEY
Shelby McIntosh, Ph.D.
Managing Director, K12 Insight

13. ACTIVITY Educators School District Students Fiscal Management
Choose one of the following topics you would like to explore further through this process:
Educators
Appraisals, certification, duties/development, benefits
School District
Planning and Decision Making
Students
Attendance, calendar, class size, discipline
Fiscal Management
Depositories, purchases, misc.
Debbie will provide some specific examples of what flexibilities are available and what are not by law

14. PREPARING FOR OUR NEXT MEETING
Please review the following:
Example DOI plans from other districts
The Raise Your Hand Texas report
TASB’s FAQ list
TASB’s Innovation Table
eSource/Governance/Districts-of-Innovation/Districts-Table.aspx