SANFORD-FRITCH INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Amended

District of Innovation Plan

2022 – 2027

 

Purpose

House Bill (HB) 1842, passed during the 84^th Legislative Session, permits Texas public school district to become District of Innovation (DOI) and to obtain exemption from certain provision of the Texas Education Code.  The SFISD Board of Trustees believes in supporting innovation and local initiatives through the use of local District control.  The adoption of the District of Innovation plan allows District flexibility to improve the educational environment for the benefit of students and the community.

 

Term

The term of the plan is for five years, beginning August 01, 2022 and ending July 31, 2027, unless terminated or amended by the SFISD Board of Trustees in accordance with the law.  If, within the term of this plan, other areas of operations are to be considered for flexibility as part of HB 1842, the Board will nominate a new committee to consider and propose additional exemption in the form of an amendment.  Amendments adopted by the Board will adhere to the terms of the original plan.  The District may not implement two separate plans.

 

SFISD District of Innovation Committee

      Jason Garrison, Superintendent

      Richard Hein, Business Manager

      Stephen Vanderpool, High School Principal

      Phillip Wiggins, High School Teacher, Athletic Director

      Pam Walker, High School Teacher, UIL Academic Coordinator

      Dwight Kirksey, Community Member, District Advisory Committee

      Gina Moos, Teacher, Elementary Campus Advisory Committee

      Kayla Deatherage, Junior High Teacher, Campus Advisory Committee

      Aimee Lyles, Counselor, High School Campus Advisory Committee

      Tonya Stephenson, Secretary, At-will Representative, District Advisory Committee

 

SFISD PROPOSED INNOVATIONS

 

School Start Date/Last Day of School [EB (LEGAL), TEC 25.0811, 25.0812]

• Current: Student instruction cannot start before the fourth Monday of August.  Waivers are no longer allowed to alter start date.  The last day of instruction may not occur before May 15 of any year.  Again, no waiver is allowed.  These changes occurred through the lobby of tourism groups which argued the loss of business due to local control of school calendars.
• Plan: To meet local community needs and offer a more balanced calendar through the design of the instructional periods, start dates and end dates. Instruction will not begin before the first Monday of August and end the school year on or prior to the fourth Friday in July.  Advantages:
• Balance Six-week grading periods and semester schedules.
• Allow for first semester to end before holiday break.
• Align curriculum of dual credit courses through neighboring Frank Phillips College.
• Align curriculum of extended courses from Amarillo ISD AACAL campus.
• Allow calendar to be more efficient following May STAAR/EOC assessments.
• Allow a campus the flexibility to go to a modified year-round schedule to meet the needs of the students.

 

Teacher Certification [DK(LEGAL), DBA(LEGAL) TEC 21.003, 21.053, 21.057]

• Current: A district must place a certified teacher in the instructional classroom.  The teacher cannot teach outside their certification without the District submitting a request to the Texas Education Agency (TEA).  TEA may then approve or deny the request.
• Plan: Allow local control over certification requirements so that the best interest of the student is served.  Advantages:
  • Campus Principal may request that the Superintendent allow a certified teacher to teach subject or subjects out of their certified field.  The Principal must specify the reason for the request and document the credential the certified teacher possesses which would qualify them to teach outside their acquired field.

 

Teacher Contract Days [DCB(LEGAL), DCB(LOCAL, TEC 21.401]

• Current: TEC Chapter 21 defines a teacher contract as a ten month contract equivalent to 187 days.
• Plan: Allow local control over the teacher contract days.  Requirements and advantages:
  • Teachers will be required to attend a minimum of 7 days beyond the scheduled student instruction days.
  • Staff development will include professional development and workdays for teachers.
  • Increased daily rate on professional salary scale (teachers only).
  • Enhance teacher recruitment and retention.
  • Improve teacher morale.

 

 

Contract Employees [TEC Chapter 21]

• Current: The definition of teacher for purposes of Chapter 21 is a principal, supervisor, classroom teacher, counselor or other full-time professional employee who is required to hold a certificate issued by the State Board for Educator Certification (as well as educational diagnosticians and nurses). Superintendents may receive term contracts, but not probationary or continuing contracts.
• Plan: Allow local control over the issuance of a probationary or term contract.  Advantages:
  • The district will have the option to increase a probationary contract out to three years for incoming teachers that were currently on a term contract in another district.  This will allow the district to mentor a teacher before moving the teacher to a term contract.
  • District may offer a term contract to an incoming teacher for the purposes or recruitment as long as the teacher meets the needs of the district and is certified in the needed area.

 

Transfer Students [FDA LOCAL and TEC 25.036]

• Current: Under TEC Chapter 25.036, a district may choose to accept, as transfers, students who are not entitled to enroll in the district, but TEC 25.036, has been interpreted to require a transfer to be for a period of one school year. Sanford-Fritch ISD maintains a transfer policy under FDA (LOCAL) requiring nonresident students wishing to transfer to file a transfer application each school year. In approving transfer requests, the availability of space and instructional staff, availability of programs and services the student’s disciplinary history records, work habits, and attendance are also evaluated. Transfer students are expected to follow the attendance requirements, rules, and regulations of the district.
• Plan: Allow local control to eliminate the provision of a one-year commitment in accepting transfer applicants.  Advantages:
  • Nonresident students who have been accepted as inter-district transfers may have such transfer status revoked by the Superintendent any time during the year if the student is assigned discipline consequences of suspension (in or out of school), placement in a disciplinary alternative program, or expulsion. In addition, students not meeting the state’s 90% attendance standard may also be subject to immediate revocation of the transfer status.
  • Campus Principal will refer requests to rescind transfer students to the Superintendent who will make the final decision to retain or rescind a transfer student.

 

 

DAEP Teacher Certification Requirement [FOCA (LEGAL), FOB LEGAL), TEC Chapter 37.006, 37.007, 37.008]

• Current: TEC 37.006 states that an elementary student may not be placed in a DAEP with any other student who is not an elementary student. However, students younger than 10 may only be placed in a DAEP if they commit an expellable offense under TEC 37.007. TEC 37.008 DISCIPLINARY ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS. Requires each school district to provide a DAEP that provides for the students who are assigned to that program to be separated from students who are not assigned to the program. (a) Each school district shall provide a DAEP that: (7) employs only teachers who meet all certification requirements established under Subchapter B, Chapter 21;
• Plan: Allow local control over DAEP requirements.  Advantages:
  • The district will have the option to better utilize staff and facilities by allowing junior high and high school DAEP students to attend the same classroom as In School Suspension students when necessary.
  • The district will have the option to make common sense decisions about which students are age appropriate to be in the same room together and allow the district to better utilize staff and facilities in the event of an elementary DAEP placement.
  • Sanford-Fritch ISD has a very limited number of students assigned to DAEP and often classes will be provided using computer-based instruction and/or blended instructional model. It is not necessary to have certified teachers on site. The campus administrator will ensure that the staff of DAEP has support necessary to properly supervise the students assigned to the program and will lend assistance of teachers with specific certification as needed. 

Amendments Board approved 12/03/2025

Sanford-Fritch ISD – District of Innovation Plan

Adopted 12/03/2025 by SFISD Board of Trustees

 

The Sanford-Fritch ISD District of Innovation Plan (August 1, 2022, and ends July 31, 2027) shall be amended as follows:

 

1. Additions of Exemptions:

 

• Grievance Policies

 

Exemption From:    Texas Education Code § 26.011

Texas Education Code Chapter 26A

(§26A.001 through §26A.004)       

 

Current Law:

 

The Texas Education Code and the Texas Constitution require school boards to establish procedures for parents to file complaints if they believe their student’s rights have been denied.

 

Texas Education Code Section 26.011, through Chapter 26A, requires each school district to adopt a standardized complaint policy with several burdensome requirements, including extended timelines for filing and compressed timelines for holding conferences at each level. The law requires a policy allowing 60 calendar days for a parent to file a grievance from the date on which the parent or person knew or had reason to know of the facts giving rise to the grievance, unless the parent engaged in informal attempts to resolve the grievance, in which case the parent could have up to 90 calendar days to file a grievance. The law further requires that such complaints be heard within ten calendar days of the complaint being filed.

 

Moreover, in contradiction of existing law in the Texas Government Code, the recently adopted provisions in the Education Code would allow the person bringing the complaint to decide if it is heard in open or closed, rather than the person against whom the complaint is brought. Finally, parents and potentially other grievants would be allowed to add issues and claims at any point during the grievance process, making it difficult to resolve concerns at the lowest possible level.  The law also gives the Commissioner authority over matters that currently would not be subject to State-level review, and in certain instances, would require the District’s Superintendent to answer to the Commissioner regarding certain grievance outcomes.

 

Rationale/Benefit/Local Guidelines:

 

Sanford-Fritch ISD has always and will continue to adhere to an established grievance policy with procedures and timelines outlined in local Board policy. Such policies ensure thorough documentation of each step in the grievance process and provide adequate time for complaints to be filed and for complaints to be heard. All records related to grievances – including submitted forms, communications, investigations, findings, resolutions, and any corrective actions – are systematically maintained at the District level to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance with legal and policy standards. The District is committed to monitoring the legality and appropriateness of every decision and action taken. The District is further committed to hearing, reviewing, and attempting to resolve all parent complaints as quickly and efficiently as possible, as well as to taking corrective action, where appropriate. It is imperative that grievances and complaints are filed in a timely manner to ensure the best prompt response.

 

Sanford-Fritch ISD’s long-standing grievance policies will continue to ensure that all such complaints are carefully reviewed and that district responses are in alignment with state and federal regulations, as well as all other local board policies. Sanford-Fritch ISD seeks to be exempt from a statewide grievance policy and will continue to follow established grievance procedures as outlined in District policy. This will allow the District to hear and consider parent and employee complaints in an orderly and responsive manner and to resolve those concerns as quickly as possible.  The District also believes its locally adopted Board of Trustees is best suited to address any grievance outcomes with the Superintendent, as may be appropriate. 

 

The District believes in local control when addressing stakeholder concerns, except as may otherwise be required by law.

 

Impacted Policies:              FNG(LOCAL); DGBA(LOCAL); GF(LOCAL)

 

 

• Local School Library Advisory Council

 

Exemption From:                Texas Education Code § 33.025

(including specifically §33.025(b) when triggered by request)

 

Current Law:

 

Current law requires school districts to establish a School Library Advisory Council when either 10% of parents or 50 parents (whichever is fewer) submit a written request for such a council. The council would then be tasked with reviewing library materials, providing input on the selection and removal of resources, making recommendations to ensure materials are age-appropriate and aligned with community values, reviewing all books and other material objected to by any District parent, and advising on such objections.

 

Rationale/Benefit/Local Guidelines:

 

Sanford-Fritch ISD encourages and supports all campus efforts to involve District parents and community members as active participants in the education of Sanford-Fritch ISD students. Sanford-Fritch ISD already accomplishes this through policy EFB(LOCAL).

 

While the newly required councils are not required to be formed until such a petition is received, once the petition is received, the Board will be statutorily required to create these councils. Should that occur, the council(s) will not be optional for the District.  Accordingly, Sanford-Fritch ISD seeks to be exempt from Texas Education Code § 33.025(b), which mandates the creation of a School Library Advisory Council upon petition by 10% of parents or 50 parents, and any other portion of Section 33.025 that may be implicated upon the triggered event set forth in Section 33.025(b). The District believes this requirement is redundant and unnecessary, as Sanford-Fritch ISD already has strong, Board-approved procedures in place for selecting, reviewing, and reconsidering library materials – led by a certified librarian and educators and aligned with state-mandated requirements and guidance from the Texas Education Agency. Creating such advisory council risks undermining the professional judgment of educators and librarians, introduces the judgment of non-certified individuals, introduces potential for politicization of instructional resources, and could very easily lead to inconsistency across campuses.

 

Furthermore, the statute presents an administrative burden, requiring staff time and resources that would be better directed toward student learning and support.

 

Sanford-Fritch ISD’s existing processes already allow for meaningful parental review and involvement, including access to their child's library checkout records, formal challenge procedures, and transparency in material selection. In addition, concerned individuals may also speak with teachers, administration, and/or the school board through District complaint processes and/or during the open forum of any regularly scheduled Board meeting. The District remains committed to ensuring age-appropriate and educationally sound resources while maintaining an efficient and effective oversight structure that includes educator expertise and parent input, without the disruption and/or duplication caused by the statutory requirements in § 33.025, including specifically subsection (b).

 

Impacted Policies:              EFB(LOCAL) – Instructional Resources: Library Materials

 

• Acquisition of Library Materials

 

Exemption From:             Texas Education Code § 33.026

 

Current Law:

 

Current law outlines specific procedures school districts must follow before acquiring library materials. The law requires that materials be reviewed and approved in advance by a certified school librarian and be verified for compliance with age-appropriateness, educational suitability, and community standards. Additionally, it mandates a multi-step vetting process, documentation of acquisition decisions, and the public posting of selected materials for 30 days before they are made available to students. Finally, current law requires the Board of Trustees to approve every library book or other resource material acquired by the District.

 

Rationale/Benefit/Local Guidelines:

 

Sanford-Fritch ISD will be exempt from this statutory provision because the District already has robust, board-approved policies in place that govern the acquisition of library materials in a manner that ensures transparency, appropriateness, and educational value. These policies and procedures are implemented by certified librarians and are fully compliant with the standards required by Texas law and guidance from the Texas Education Agency. The statutory process under §33.026 introduces redundant and restrictive requirements that may delay access to timely instructional and enrichment resources. It also places bureaucratic barriers in front of trained library professionals who are certified to select age-appropriate, curriculum-aligned materials, that are consistent with standards set by Texas law.

 

Furthermore, the mandated documentation process creates an administrative burden that consumes time and resources better allocated to instructional support. While Sanford-Fritch ISD fully supports transparency and parental engagement in the school library process, the rigid requirements of TEC §33.026 are unnecessary and duplicative of local safeguards already in place. This exemption allows Sanford-Fritch ISD to preserve instructional flexibility, uphold librarian professionalism, and provide students with timely access to enriching and appropriate materials—without compromising accountability or community trust.

 

Impacted Policies: EFB(LOCAL) – Instructional Resources: Library Materials

 

 Original SFISD DOI Language:    Contract Employees [TEC Chapter 21]

 

Current: The definition of teacher for purposes of Chapter 21 is a principal, supervisor, classroom teacher, counselor or other full-time professional employee who is required to hold a certificate issued by the State Board for Educator Certification (as well as educational diagnosticians and nurses). Superintendents may receive term contracts, but not probationary or continuing contracts.

 

Plan: Allow local control over the issuance of a probationary or term contract.  Advantages:

• The district will have the option to increase a probationary contract out to three years for incoming teachers that were currently on a term contract in another district.  This will allow the district to mentor a teacher before moving the teacher to a term contract.
• District may offer a term contract to an incoming teacher for the purposes or recruitment as long as the teacher meets the needs of the district and is certified in the needed area.

 

Proposed New Language:   Probationary Contracts:  Texas Education Code § 21.102(b)

 

Affected Policy:  DCA(LOCAL)

 

Current:

New hires entitled to a Chapter 21 contract are generally employed for up to three years on a probationary contract.  An exception to this rule is for employees who have been employed as a teacher in public education for at least five of the eight years preceding employment by the District; under current law, these employees (if rehired) are entitled to a term contract in their second year of employment. 

 

DOI Plan; Rationale/Benefit:

 

Relief from this statute will allow the following opportunities and flexibilities:

 

• Allow additional time to evaluate a teacher’s effectiveness in the classroom prior to renewal of a contract
• Allow teachers additional opportunity to improve effectiveness prior to contract determinations
• Greater flexibility to the District in hiring and contract offerings
• The District may offer a term contract to an incoming teacher for the purposes or recruitment as long as the teacher meets the needs of the district and is certified in the needed area.

 

The District of Innovation Plan Committee has determined the above-listed benefits justify SFISD seeking exemption from Texas Education Code § 21.102(b) and that said statute inhibits the goals of the District.

 

Impacted Policies:  Board Policy DCA(LOCAL) will be impacted.  The current law is reflected in DCA(LEGAL).

 

 

Recommendation/Conclusion:

 

The term of the current Sanford-Fritch ISD District of Innovation Plan is for five years, and began August 1, 2022, and ends July 31, 2027, unless terminated or amended earlier by the Board of Trustees in accordance with the law. 

 

The District of Innovation Committee recommends the above Amendments be added, as noted, to the Sanford-Fritch ISD District of Innovation Plan.  It is the intent of the DOI Committee and District that any portions of the Plan not addressed above remain in place through July 31, 2027 (with the exception of the employee certification exemption, which the District intends to address prior to the 2026-2027 school year).