Klussmann Testifies on
Innovation Zones Bill
A bill that would allow the creation of innovation zones
within and between school districts, and which would have the flexibility of
open-enrolment charter schools, was heard Tuesday (April 7) by the Senate Education
Committee.
Superintendent Duncan Klussmann testified in favor of the
bill, on behalf of Spring Branch ISD and also the Texas School Alliance, which
the district chairs this year.
Klussmann told the panel about the SKY Partnership between
Spring Branch ISD and KIPP and YES Prep charter schools, which operate programs
in Landrum and Northbrook middle schools, with a YES Prep high school to open
this fall at Northbrook High School.
He said that SKY is a true partnership, with the entities
sharing best practices. Students in the KIPP and YES Prep programs are Spring
Branch students who participate in the school’s elective classes and extracurricular
activities.
“Anything the state
can do to encourage innovation is positive,” he said, adding that most state
education policy is about compliance rather than innovation. Compliance “kills
innovation,” he said, because it either requires or prohibits something.
For example, he said, creating a strategic plan must comply
with so many state requirements that it becomes not a
local plan at all. “What is there in public policy to encourage innovation?” he
asked.
Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) asked Klussmann if he
thought there were too many state requirements placed on local districts.
Klussmann said that if the Legislature makes a bad policy
decision, it’s two years (the Texas Legislature convenes biennially) before
that policy “can even be reviewed.” At the local level, he said, the board can
call a meeting in 72 hours and make a change.
Klussmann said that a “basic piece” of state control is the
uniform school start date of the Monday before Labor Day. He said that Spring
Branch ISD principals in the SKY Partnership schools can’t align their school
start dates with the charters, which typically start school in July.
Campbell said that she like the certainty of a uniform start
date. Sen. Eddie Lucio (D-Brownsville) said that business interests, which push
the uniform start date, are important for driving commerce and tax revenue.
Klussmann said that he appreciates that and that a balance
is needed, adding that he thinks even if the bill is passed that very few
districts will look at innovation zones.
The bill was left pending in committee.
by Rusty Graham
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