SHEPHERD — In order to give at-risk students a better chance at graduating, Shepherd ISD is looking to adopt a flexible school day.
An application for the Optional Flexible School Day Program was approved by the Board of Managers on Thursday.
Superintendent Dr. Jason Hewitt said the plan must be approved before a district can apply.
According to the district, the plan serves students who:
• Have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out of school
• Attend a campus that is implementing an innovative redesign of the campus as an early college high school under a plan approved by the commissioner; or
• As a result of attendance requirements will be denied credit for one or more classes in which the students have been enrolled
To enable a school district to provide a program under this section that meets the needs of those students, a school district that meets application requirements may:
• Provide flexibility in the number of hours each day a student attends;
• Provide flexibility in the number of days each week a student attends;
• Allow a student to enroll in less than or more than a full course load; or
• Allow a student to enroll in a dropout recovery program in which courses are conducted online
Applications are approved for one school year and continuation of the approval will be contingent on the demonstrated success.
The Hope Academy began its inaugural year as an Optional Flexible School Day Program of Shepherd High School in the 2020-2021 school year.
In a separate matter, the board trained on the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom and what policies needed to be developed to facilitate that.
Hewitt said the district will write a policy and put in acceptable use guidelines which will be implemented in August. Those policies will include how AI is used in class, how it is used by teachers and how to help teachers and students navigate AI the classroom.
Since all students use Chromebooks in instruction, the policy is necessary.
In other business, the board:
• approved ESSA applications for federal funding, which is done annually;
• approved contract renewals for staff;
• approved the 2025-26 school compensation plan;
• adopted the FY 2025-26 budget;
• adopted the school nutrition spending plan;
• approved budget amendments; and
• approved policy updates
