Connally Independent School District

Per TEC, §21.003, a person may not be employed as a teacher, teacher intern or teacher trainee, librarian, educational aide, administrator, educational diagnostician, or school counselor by a school district unless the person holds an appropriate certificate or permit issued as provided by Subchapter B, which includes any State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)-issued certificate (intern, probationary, standard, or enhanced standard) or emergency permit for the subject area and grade level.  Information regarding the appropriate certificate for a given personnel assignment can be found in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 231, Requirements for Public School Personnel Assignments.

Many districts have chosen to exempt themselves from this certification requirement and hire uncertified individuals through an approved DOI plan. HB 2’s new TEC, §21.0032, now limits districts’ ability to include exemptions from some certification requirements under TEC, §21.003, in their DOI plan. These limitations phase in over the next three academic years.

Districts with the appropriate and allowable approved exemptions in their plans maintain certification flexibility for non-foundation subjects, allowing career and technical education (CTE) and other enrichment subject teachers to continue serving in assignments.

Districts can submit a plan for commissioner of education approval to delay the implementation of teacher certification requirements for teachers of record in foundation curriculum courses until the beginning of the 2029-2030 school year.

While Connally ISD remains committed to hiring fully certified teachers in all grade levels and subject areas, the district has submitted the waiver below to the Texas Education Agency in hopes of allowing for a smoother transition to the district being fully staffed with certified educators.