District of Innovation
Wimberley Independent School District
District of Innovation Renewal for 2022-2027
Adopted By WISD Board of Trustees
February 28, 2022
School Calendar /Flexible Start Date
(TEC §25.0811) (EB LEGAL)
Current Law
Students may not begin school before the 4th Monday of August. For many years this was the rule. However, districts had the option of applying for a waiver to start earlier. The vast majority of districts applied for the waiver and would begin the 3rd Monday, some even going as early as the 2nd Monday. The Texas tourism groups lobbied to have this stopped because they believed it was hurting their tourism business. Therefore, several years ago the legislature took away all waivers and dictated that districts may not begin until the 4th Monday, with no exceptions.
Adopted by WISD Board of Trustees, February 28, 2022
Allows WISD the flexibility of reviewing the calendar each year and starting earlier than the required fourth Monday of August. By removing the uniform start date, the district has the option to start classes mid-week, easing the transition for students entering kindergarten, middle school, and high school.
Class Size 22:1 Ratio
(TEC §25.112) (EEB LEGAL)
Current Law
Pre-Kindergarten – 4th Grade classes are to be kept at a 22 student to 1 teacher ratio according to state law. When a class exceeds this limit, the district must complete a waiver with the Texas Education Agency. These waivers are never rejected by TEA. Along with the waiver, it is required that a letter is sent home to each parent in the section that exceeds the 22:1 ratio, informing them the waiver has been submitted.
Adopted by WISD Board of Trustees, February 28, 2022
Allows Wimberley ISD to exceed the 22:1 in any PK-4th grade classroom. Parents will be notified within the first three weeks of the start of school of any classroom size that is above the 22:1 ratio. Otherwise, Wimberley will be required to write waivers for a handful of classes in which the TEA has always approved.
Behavior Coordinator Assignment-Student Discipline Provisions
(FO LEGAL & LOCAL) (TEC §37.0012)
Current Law
Currently Senate Bill 107 requires the designation of a campus behavior coordinator on each campus. This designee is responsible for maintaining student discipline and the implementation of Chapter 37, Subchapter A.
Adopted by WISD Board of Trustees, February 28, 2022
Allows WISD to abstain from the state requirement that each school have a designated campus behavior coordinator. Exemption from this requirement will allow the option of increasing collaboration in regard to student discipline, as outlined in the WISD Student Code of Conduct. Campus Administrators will continue to inform parents of discipline /incidents involving their children. WISD’s approach to discipline is becoming more collaborative, with multiple people providing emotional and social support to students, rather than just one person.
Teacher Contracts-Extension of Probationary Contracts
(TEC §21.102(b)) (DCA LEGAL)
Current Law
TEC 21.102(b) states that a probationary contract may not exceed one year for a person who has been employed as a teacher in public education for at least five of the eight years preceding employment with the district.
This time period may not be sufficient to evaluate the teacher’s effectiveness in the classroom since teacher contract timelines demand that employment decisions must be made prior to state assessment results.
Adopted by WISD Board of Trustees, February 28, 2022
Allows WISD to create a policy where experienced teachers, counselors, or nurses new to the district that have been employed as a teacher in public education for at least five of the eight previous years, the option to issue a probationary contract for up to two years from the last date of district employment.
District Transfer Policy
(TEC §25.036)
Current Law
A district may choose to accept, as transfers, students who are not entitled to enroll in the district under §25.001. Under §25.036, a transfer is for a period of one school year. [64] The district may charge tuition under a transfer agreement to the extent permitted under §25.038.
Adopted by WISD Board of Trustees, February 28, 2022
Allows WISD the option to terminate the transfer agreement for students in PK-11 when the student/ parent has not been forthcoming with information regarding discipline, special programs or other issues that end up costing the district to keep the student enrolled.
At any time during the school year, a transfer student who becomes a discipline issue, poor attendance, or in need of special services which exceeds state funding for that student, WISD can terminate their transfer agreement.
- Students will be held to high expectations for appropriate behavior and conduct on campuses.
- Parents will be held to high expectations for appropriate behavior when interacting with school personnel on and off campus, phone and email.
- Students will meet the attendance expectations for the campuses or be withdrawn. If their attendance rate drops below 90%, the transfer may be revoked.
- When a transfer student has 2 disciplinary incidents, a campus administrator will review the details of the incidents and determine the status of the transfer.
- If a student receives a DAEP assignment, the transfer will be immediately revoked.
Credit by Examination without Prior Instruction
(TEC 28.023 Board Policies EHDC (LEGAL) and Local))
Current Law:
Texas Education Code Section 28.083 allows an elementary student to skip a grade if he or she earns a score of 80 percent or above on an approved exam for acceleration. A student would need to pass all four core subject areas with the 80% on each area in order to go to the next grade level. A student in sixth grade and above can earn individual course credits with 80% prior to instruction.
Prior to the 83rd Legislative Session (2013), the passing score for credit by exam without prior instruction was 90 percent, rather than 80 percent. Several districts comparable to Wimberley ISD have returned to the 90 percent standard for student acceleration.
Adopted by WISD Board of Trustees, February 28, 2022
- Allows WISD to increase the standard required to be eligible for acceleration from 80% to 90%.
- Allows WISD to require a higher passing score ensuring a student who accelerates a grade or course has more thoroughly mastered the content and is prepared to succeed in the next grade or series of courses.
- Allows WISD this new passing standard be applicable beginning with credit by examination administered after the 2021-2022 school year.