The TEA heard from both the supporters and opponents of the Lancaster ISD's proposed 4-day school week on Thursday. A minor issue arose with having present too MANY Trustees from the LISD board. This risked a violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act. The five members attending, (Sue Mendoza, Ed Kirkland, Marie Elliot, Marjorie King, and Carolyn Morris) would have constituted a quorum of the LISD Board of Trustees. The risk was resolved when President Ed Kirkland and most-junior-Trustee Marjorie King voluntarily left the hearing room. Acting Commissioner Scott presided and gave Dr Lewis, on the affirmative, equal time with Trustee Carolyn Morris for the opposition.

Friday the TEA followed up with a faxed request to the District for additional information. Reportedly over 15 substantive concerned with the proposal were raised to the LISD Board For instance, Dr Lewis told the commission that "Transitioning to a 4-day week will allow for implementation of structured science lessons. " The TEA fax quoted the claim and asked "How are CURRENT science lessons implemented? "

The TEA addressed issues regarding meal breaks, staff development requirements, educators' employment contracts, and the districts compliance with "Site Based Committtee" requirements of the Texas Education Code TEC 33.005. ( The "District Site Based Committee" should not be confused with the committee responsible for the "District Improvement Plan" required under TEC 11.252 It is not clear that either committee, required by statute, has reviewed or approved the 4-day proposal.)

The TEA has 30 days in which to consider the proposal. Approval for the waiver, if granted, would provide parents approximately a week to adapt to the new schedule.