District News

WACO, TX — The Waco ISD Board of Trustees moved forward at tonight’s School Board meeting with a recommendation to establish a new, full-time virtual education option, positioning the district as a "statewide district of choice" under the provisions of Texas Senate Bill 569 (SB 569). This innovative initiative will allow our current Waco ISD families to choose between an in-person or virtual education for their students; and will allow students from anywhere across the state of Texas to enroll in Waco ISD starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

SB 569 empowers districts by repealing the restrictive Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) rules. The new legislation provides a flexible, fully-funded framework for virtual and hybrid education models. Students enrolled in these virtual programs generate Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funding in the exact same amount as students attending fully in-person, ensuring the district can maintain high-quality instructional standards.

Waco ISD administration recommended a turn-key partnership to manage the program’s scale. Under this model, a third-party provider will manage day-to-day operations, human resources, special education management, technology equipment, marketing, and enrollment. Waco ISD will retain graduation authority and state accountability ratings, while also receiving an ongoing sponsorship fee, creating a new revenue stream for the district. Virtual enrollment will remain under 50 percent of the total campus or district enrollment to meet state guidelines.

“This virtual education program is a powerful extension of our current programs, allowing us to provide the innovative choices and flexible learning environments our families and students may need to thrive," said Dr. Tiffany Spicer, Superintendent of Waco ISD. "By embracing the opportunities within Senate Bill 569, we are ensuring that every student, regardless of their location, has access to a Waco ISD education.”

This virtual initiative is a direct accelerator of the ambitious goals set in the district’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. It specifically aligns with the district’s four core priorities: Students, Staff, Community, and Financial and Operational Excellence.

• Students: SB 569 provides a flexible framework that allows students to thrive in virtual or hybrid environments tailored to their needs, while Waco ISD retains graduation authority.
   
• Staff: By delegating human resources and staffing for the virtual program to a provider, the district can manage growth without overextending existing campus personnel.
   
• Community: We are empowered to enroll students from anywhere across Texas, positioning Waco ISD as a leader in educational innovation.
   
• Financial and Operational Efficiency: For the first time, virtual students will generate Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funding in the exact same amount as in-person students, which allows for new revenue for the district.

A formal proposal from a prospective partner is expected to be brought back to the Board of Trustees in April 2026, with the target launch for the program set for the 2026-2027 school year.

Because the program is being launched under SB 569, no special authorization from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is required for the first year of operation.