District of Innovation Plan Posted for Feedback

As part of the Abilene Independent School District’s District of Innovation planning process, the District Wide Consultation Committee will review and consider the proposed plan at a public meeting Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 5:00 p.m. at One AISD Center.

It is anticipated that the Board of Trustees will consider adoption of the plan at its Regular Meeting on April 9, when the public will have another opportunity to learn about the plan and make comments. The DWCC, a committee comprised of parents, community volunteers and district staff, must approve the plan in a public meeting prior to the final approval by the Board of Trustees.

The Innovation Planning Committee (IPC) has completed work on the District of Innovation Plan. The 35-member committee, made up of teachers, parents and administrators, met five times between Dec. 14, 2017 and Feb. 15. During this process, the committee reviewed a large amount of material and held discussions about the advantages and disadvantages of AISD becoming a District of Innovation, and if so, what elements should be included. Ultimately, the IPC decided to pursue becoming a District of Innovation and wrote an Innovation Plan.

The final draft of the plan includes provisions for flexibility in the school start date and some elements of teacher certification in very specific and limited circumstances. The Innovation Plan was posted on the district website, www.abileneisd.org, on Feb. 23 and will remain posted for a minimum of 30 days. Persons wishing to provide feedback may do so by emailing DOI@abileneisd.org.