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Some guidelines that would be eliminated are class size limits, teacher certification requirements and TEA paperwork.

ARLINGTON - You've heard of charter schools - schools which are established to operate with unique teaching methods or specialize in a specific area.

But what about an entire charter school district?

Arlington is thinking about making the change, making it the first one in the state.

This is the question posed to candidates for Arlington schools superintendent that has opened a can of worms: "We have thought about converting the AISD to a charter district: what are the pros and cons of making AISD a charter district?"

"It's an idea that we're going to follow up with our new superintendent Mr. Montenegro when he starts February 1st," said Jim Ash, president of the AISD Board of Trustees.

Charter schools are public schools, but they don't have to follow many state education laws. No school district in Texas has ever completely converted to all charter. Arlington would be the first.

"Our initial conversation centered around an idea that might be beneficial to the Arlington Independent School District, as we help our students. What kind of restrictions, what kind of burdens do we work under that we might eliminate?" said Ash.

Some guidelines that would be eliminated are class size limits, teacher certification requirements and TEA paperwork.

"None of the benefits that teachers now enjoy that are in the Texas Education Code, such as duty free lunch, planning and preparation, and the salary schedules that we now have, which basically acts as a floor for teacher requirements," said Lindsey Gus, of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association.

Parents are keeping an open mind.

"I would support anything that would improve the lives of our students in this school district and their academic achievement," said Carla Crow, president of the Council of AIDS PTAs.

That would still be measured by the TAKS tests and the district would have to adhere to the same state accountability if they become a charter district.

E-mail dmiles@wfaa.com.