Marshall ISD takes first step toward charter school program

MARSHALL, Texas (KLTV) - Marshall ISD is seeking additional state assistance to improve its schools.

At a Thursday night meeting, district leaders presented their plan to introduce Texas Partnerships, or charter schools, to the district.

Passed in 2017, SB1882 allows school districts to hire “partners” to help improve school performance. The partners are third-party contractors who can have authority over things like curriculum and staff. They’re still responsible to school boards, and districts can cancel contracts anytime.

“We want to get off of the roller coaster, and we want to just be going up,” said Marshall ISD Superintendent Richele Langley. “We just want to make sure that our students in Marshall have the opportunity that every other student in the United States has.”

Marshall ISD received a C in the latest Texas Education Agency accountability ratings.

The program also has the potential for increased state funding, which Langley hopes to use for teacher pay.

“We need more certified teachers in our classroom. Our senate meets every two years, and some of the guidance and guidelines change,” said Langley. “In Marshall ISD just need to get on a level playing field.”

Langley said they are looking at a single partner for all eight district campuses. They will begin to accept partner applications in the next 15 days.

The school board will vote on a charter partner that’s recommended by a committee before an application is sent to the TEA. Those applications are due in December. The TEA will approve or deny applications by March.