Rachel Behnke

This document outlines the 2026-2031 District of Innovation Plan for New Braunfels ISD, proposing flexibilities from state education codes to optimize educational operations. Key areas addressed include school start dates, teacher certification requirements, teacher appraisal systems, minimum days of attendance, planning and preparation periods, probationary contracts, and grievance procedures. The plan also details strategic goals focused on increasing access to academic, behavioral, and emotional support; fostering engaging and future-ready learning experiences; strengthening community engagement; and ensuring consistent experiences for students, families, and staff.

Key discussion topics included a presentation on a Teen Youth Mental Health preventive program delivered to 9th graders at NBHS and LCHS, which yielded positive student evaluation results across support, conversation, and awareness metrics. Services available from the Comal County Health Department for uninsured families, including current promotions for vaccinations and screenings, were reviewed. A detailed discussion covered the Kerrville Flood Response Coordinated Effort, noting over 800 rescues and 117 fatalities, and highlighting issues with self-deployed responders and the implementation of on-site morgue and family assistance services supported by the Pulsera identification system. The committee also addressed Child Nutrition, specifically Smart Snack standards and the introduction of a new frozen coffee drink exclusively for high school students. The item regarding Employee Wellness was tabled for the subsequent meeting, and plans were made to distribute a Campus Wellness Survey after the holiday break.

The document outlines the New Braunfels ISD District of Innovation Plan for 2025-2030, which seeks flexibility from various Texas Education Code statutes to enhance operational efficiency and educational outcomes. Key areas of proposed flexibility include adjusting the school start date, allowing multiple campus behavior coordinators, establishing local criteria for teacher certification in hard-to-fill subjects, implementing a local teacher and administrator appraisal system, modifying student attendance requirements, granting local control over teacher planning periods, and maintaining local grievance procedures. The plan aims to provide the district with greater autonomy to meet the unique needs of its students and staff, foster innovative educational approaches, and improve overall student success.

The meeting included discussions on the SHAC mission, including the SHAC website, benefits of SHAC, and a possible PSA project to improve district health. NBISD Crisis Counselors discussed their roles, division of campuses, and a focus on short-term, solution-based work involving the whole family, along with Texas suicide data and the need for mental health services. Elementary PE alignment was reviewed, including professional development, Fall lessons prepping students for Fitnessgram, and the 5th and 6th grade track meet. The Wellness Plan review covered nutrition and physical activity promotion and education. Child Nutrition discussed partnerships between SFE and NBISD, dairy breakfast carts, the free and reduced breakfast/lunch program, a new point of sale system, a new freezer monitoring system, and new serving lines and walk-in coolers installed at various schools. All vending machines are smart snack compliant.

The Board of Trustees held a team-building workshop that covered topics such as the NBISD Framework for School Board Development, communicating with the community, handling difficult communication issues, keys to effective communication about challenging issues, and how to communicate with the media. Future regular board meeting dates were announced.