**Tyler ISD Board Approves New District of Innovation Plan**
TYLER, TX – The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees approved a new District of Innovation (DOI) plan on April 15, ushering in a five-year period of increased local flexibility for the district starting May 20, 2024, and active until May 19, 2029. The new plan replaces the district's previous DOI framework, which was set to expire on May 19, 2024.
The plan grants Tyler ISD significant local control over various aspects of its operations, particularly related to the school calendar, staffing, and teacher appraisals.
Under the new DOI plan, Tyler ISD will have the flexibility to begin the school year earlier than the state-mandated fourth Monday in August. Additionally, the district can count instructional minutes instead of days, a common provision in DOI plans that allows for more customized scheduling.
Key changes for teachers and staff include the ability to hire non-certified teachers in specific subjects, provided they meet district-defined criteria, which aims to address staffing needs. Teacher contracts will be standardized at 187 days. The plan also includes a provision allowing the district to waive duty-free lunch for employees in rare instances deemed absolutely necessary for "effective operations." Furthermore, Tyler ISD will be able to utilize its own local teacher appraisal system, moving away from the state-mandated T-TESS. For certain non-exempt employees, the district will now offer compensatory time off at a regular rate.
This new DOI plan is designed to allow Tyler ISD to tailor its staffing, scheduling, and curriculum decisions to better meet the unique needs of its students and community.
The development of the plan followed a multi-stage process. The Board first passed a resolution to pursue a new DOI plan on December 11, 2023. A special DOI Committee, appointed by the Superintendent, held a public meeting on January 22, 2024, to develop the specific provisions of the plan. The District-Level Committee then approved the proposed plan on March 4, 2024. A public hearing was held on March 18 prior to the final Board vote at Tyler ISD headquarters.
For more information on the District of Innovation plan, residents are encouraged to visit the official Tyler ISD website at www.tylerisd.org.
