IMPLEMENTATION FLEXIBILITY.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code and subject to Subsection (b), a school district may apply to the commissioner in writing in accordance with commissioner rule for a waiver to exempt the district or one or more district campuses from Section 21.352(a)(2)(B), 21.353, 21.354(d), 21.3541(g), 21.451, or 21.458, as specified in the waiver application. The district's application for a waiver under this section must demonstrate that the waiver is necessary to carry out purposes of the program as described by Section 21.7011, in accordance with the district's local educator excellence innovation plan.

(b) Before an application for a waiver is submitted to the commissioner under Subsection (a), the application specifying the provision for which the waiver is sought must be approved by a vote of:

(1) a majority of the members of the school district board of trustees; and

(2) a majority of the educators employed at each campus for which the waiver is sought.

(b-1) Voting for purposes of Subsection (b) must be conducted:

(1) in accordance with commissioner rule;

(2) during the school year; and

(3) in a manner that ensures that all educators entitled to vote have a reasonable opportunity to participate in the voting.

(c) The commissioner shall grant or deny an application under this section based on standards adopted by commissioner rule. The commissioner shall notify in writing each district that applies for a waiver under this section whether the application has been granted or denied not later than April 1 of the year in which the application is submitted.

(d) Neither the board of trustees of a school district nor the district superintendent may compel a waiver of rights under this section.

(e) A waiver granted under this section expires when the waiver is no longer necessary to carry out the purposes of the program as described by Section 21.7011, in accordance with the district's local educator excellence innovation plan.