November 2024

A Publication of the Texas Association of School Boards | Volume 42, Number 9 | November 2024

Riding the Technology Wave TASB FOCUS IS HELPING MEMBERS AS TECH EVOLVES

Calendar

Featured Event TASB FALL LEGAL SEMINARS

LOCATIONS STATEWIDE IN NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER

4-5 • TASB HR Services: HR Academy — Austin 7 • TASB Legal Services: Fall Legal Seminar — Abilene 12 • TASB Legal Services: Fall Legal Seminar — Tyler 13 • TASB Legal Services: Fall Legal Seminar — Waco 13-14 • TASB HR Services: Service Record Management — Virtual Event 14 • TASB Student Solutions Webinar Series: ARD Committee 101 — Virtual Event 16 • TASB Legal Services: Fall Legal Seminar — South Padre Island 18-19 • TASB HR Services: Advanced HR Seminar — Austin 19 • TASB Facility Services: Asbestos Designated Person Training — White Settlement 20 • TASB Facility Services: Integrated Pest Management — White Settlement

TASB Officers 2024-25 Rolinda Schmidt, President, Kerrville ISD Tony Hopkins, President-Elect, Friendswood ISD Mary Jane Hetrick, First Vice President, Dripping Springs ISD, Region 13B Dan Micciche, Second Vice President, Dallas ISD, Region 10C Sylvia Sánchez Garza, Secretary-Treasurer, South Texas ISD, Region 1B Armando Rodriguez, Immediate Past President, Canutillo ISD TASB Board of Directors 2024-25 Moises Alfaro, Mathis ISD, Region 2 Rose Avalos, Aldine ISD, Region 4A Carlos Bentancourt, Slaton ISD, Region 17 Lynn Boswell, Austin ISD, Region 13A Darlene Breaux, Alief ISD, Region 4B Steve Brown, Ector County ISD, Region 18 Marlene Bullard, Tornillo ISD, Region 19 Kevin A. Carbó, Mesquite ISD, Region 10D Justin Chapa, Arlington ISD, Region 11C Julie Cole, Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, Region 11A Thomas Darden, Cooper ISD, Region 8 Dynette Davis, Frisco ISD, Region 10E Angela Lemond Flowers, Houston ISD, 4D Rebecca Fox, Katy ISD, Region 4E Ginger Friesenhahn, East Central ISD, Region 20A Linda Gooch, Sunnyvale ISD, Region 10B Angie Hanan, Fort Bend ISD, Region 4G Carol Harle, Northside ISD-Bexar County, Region 20B Bryan Holubec, Thrall ISD, Region 13C Tricia Ikard, Maypearl ISD, Region 10A Mark Lukert, Wichita Falls ISD, Region 9 Raymond P. Meza, San Felipe Del Rio CISD, Region 15 Steven Newcom, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, Region 11D Nicholas Phillips, Nederland ISD, Region 5 Quinton "Q" Phillips, Fort Worth ISD, Region 11B Margaret Pruett, Victoria ISD, Region 3 Beth Prykryl, New Caney ISD, Region 6A Tony Raymond, Sabine ISD, Region 7 Keri Roberts, Goldthwaite CISD, Region 12 Alison Busse Savage, Lyford CISD, Region 1A Rich Sena, Boerne ISD, Region 20D Cindy Spanel, Highland Park ISD-Potter County, Region 16 David Sublasky, ESC 19, ESC Representative Theresa Wagaman, Conroe ISD, Region 6B Greg Welch, Clyde CISD, Region 14

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20 • TASB School Medicaid Services: SHARS Matters Webinar Series: The SHARS Settlement/Reconciliation Process — Virtual Event

DECEMBER

3-4 • TASB HR Services: Spending Wisely: The Intersection of Staffing and Pay — Virtual Event 10 • TASB Facility Services: Asbestos Designated Person Training — Edinburg 11 • TASB Facility Services: Integrated Pest Management — Edinburg 18 • TASB School Medicaid Services: SHARS Matters Webinar Series: The Impact of Policy Changes on SHARS Funding — Virtual Event

2025

JANUARY

9 • TASB Student Solutions Webinar Series: Understanding Disability Laws — Virtual Event 14 • 89th Texas Legislature begins — Austin 15 • TASB School Medicaid Services: SHARS Matters Webinar Series: Preparing Your SHARS Cost Report — Virtual Event 27-28 • TASB Governmental Relations: 2025 Texas Federal Advocacy Conference — Washington, D.C.

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For more information about these events or deadlines, visit the TASB website at tasb.org or call TASB at 512-467-0222 or 800-580-8272 toll-free.

Contents | November 2024

Departments

Features

2 24 26 28 30 32

8 Riding the

Calendar Legal News Capitol Watch Good Governance District Voices News & Events

Columns

Technology Wave

5 7 42

TASB focus is helping members as tech evolves

From the Top Editor’s Note A Final Note

Texas Lone Star • Volume 42, Number 9 Texas Association of School Boards P.O. Box 400 • Austin, Texas • 78767-0400 512-467-0222 • 800-580-8272 Laura Tolley • Managing Editor Shu-in Powell • Graphic Designer Lalo Garcia • Photographer 360 Press Solutions • Printer Contributors: Sylvia Wood, Beth Griesmer, Mary Ann Lopez, Theresa Gage-Dieringer, Melissa Locke Roberts, Dax González, Robert Long III, John Sherrill, Matt Mitchell, Sara Butler, Zachary Roberts, John Pyle

16 Leadership

Through Inclusion

Texas Lone Star (ISSN 0749-9310) is published 10 times a year by the Texas Association of School Boards.

Copyright© 2024 by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). All rights reserved. Reproduction, adaptation, distribution, and exhibition in whole or in part are prohibited under penalty of law without the written license or permission of TASB. Copies of Texas Lone Star are mailed to trustees of TASB member school boards and their superintendents as part of their membership.

Subscriptions are available to nonmembers for $36 (1 year), $69 (2 years), and $99 (3 years). Single copies are $5.

TASB President devoted to students, community, public education

Address changes should be sent to Michael Pennant, TASB, P.O. Box 400, Austin, Texas 78767-0400.

Articles in Texas Lone Star are expressions of the author or interviewee and do not represent the views or policies of TASB. Permission to reprint should be emailed to communications@tasb.org or addressed to the Managing Editor, P.O. Box 400, Austin, Texas 78767-0400.

20 Along for the Ride

Texas Lone Star does not guarantee publication of unsolicited manuscripts.

Postmaster: Send address changes to TASB, P.O. Box 400, Austin, Texas 78767-0400.

School bus drivers keep an eye on students’ well-being

Follow us:

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From the Top

Ready to Serve

I pledge to listen to you, our members

by Rolinda Schmidt

“B

eing a trustee is like jumping on a moving train.” Those wise words are from my friend and fellow public education advocate Ted Beard, who was TASB president a few years ago and still serves on the Longview ISD school board.

He is so right. I can remember my first TASA | TASB Convention after being elected to the Kerrville ISD school board some 28 years ago. I was the only Kerrville ISD trustee to attend the annual event, so navigating the required new trustee training seemed daunting and lonely.

TASB staff must have sensed my nervousness and patiently walked me through the program guide and helped me select applicable presentations to attend. Sessions on the Texas Open Meetings Act, standard board operating procedures, and superintendent evaluations were especially useful.

Attending my first general session, I sat in the back of the convention hall mesmerized by the musical performance of the students of Electra ISD. I remember feeling so grateful that Kerrville ISD was a member of this statewide association that cared so deeply for the success of all students. I no longer felt alone.

Proud to serve as president Just a few short weeks ago, I felt that same sense of awe at txEDCON24 in San Antonio as students from Canutillo, El Paso, Fabens, Socorro, Ysleta, and Tomball ISDs wowed the audiences with their talents.

I also felt an extreme sense of pride as I became TASB President for 2024-25 at the convention. As I accepted the gavel from Armando Rodriguez, Canutillo ISD board president and now TASB’s Immediate Past President, I humbly recognized

Rolinda Schmidt

that I am following a long line of past presidents, all distinguished leaders in Texas public education.

Attending many TASB trainings and other events and serving as a full-time director on the TASB Board since 2016 has helped me grow as a trustee. Most importantly, I’ve learned to view our work through many lenses to ensure all voices are heard and all stakeholders are included.

That is my pledge to all TASB members as I serve as president.

Most importantly, I’ve learned to view our work through many lenses to ensure all voices are heard and all stakeholders are included.

It has been a blessing to serve on the TASB Board and to work with such a distinguished group of directors and the most dedicated and professional TASB staff. As a bonus, I have had the opportunity to again work with TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell, who I had the privilege of calling my superintendent at Kerrville ISD for 13 years.

TASB has elevated my experience, knowledge, and understanding of board service. I have had the opportunity to learn from some of the best. I am privileged to serve alongside my fellow officers, an experienced group of leaders giving of their time and talents so generously. I want to especially thank Debbie Gillespie,

a former TASB president and last year’s immediate past president, for her dedication, guidance, and exemplary leadership.

Plans for the year ahead As you all know, the Texas Legislature meets next year and public education is likely to be a primary focus as lawmakers are expected to discuss school funding, school choice, and other issues. Advocating for Texas public schools will be a top priority for me.

In addition, a primary goal is to attend all the regional area associations with the purpose of sharing the services TASB offers trustees and their school districts. With the assistance of TASB directors in those regions, I want to help tell the stories of how TASB services benefit our communities and lessen the burden of government on district operations.

Furthermore, I hope to gain insight into the services you, our members, find most beneficial and learn how TASB can better serve you in your vital role as trustees.

I know how hard you work and the sacrifices you and your families make.

My family certainly didn’t know how my school board service would affect them: missed dinners, birthdays, and anniversaries, and having to defend decisions I made in the boardroom. School board service is a family affair! I am so very grateful for the continued support of my husband, Arthur, and our now grown children, Shaun, Amelia, and Hunter — all proud products of public education.

And I am ever grateful to all of you for your service to students, school districts, and your communities.H Rolinda Schmidt, a Kerrville ISD trustee, is the 2024-25 president of TASB.

issuu.com/tasb-org | November 2024 |

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Editor’s Note

Learning from Trustees It’s all things public ed at txEDCON24!

by Laura Tolley

I

had the opportunity this fall, as did thousands of other people, to attend txEDCON24, which is the largest annual assembly of public education leaders in Texas. What an amazing conference — from informative sessions and inspirational speakers to entertaining student performances.

One of the things I enjoyed the most is having so many opportunities to meet with and hear from school leaders from across the state. Whether it was gaining insight into public school programs, a breakout session, or just a chance conversation in a hallway, school leaders were eager to talk all things public education at the conference.

And I was happy to take it all in.

Spending a couple of days immersed in that atmosphere is inspiring and motivating. It also gives me some perspective on the big issues that are on the minds of Texas trustees and other school leaders. Most of the sessions were well attended. Some were standing room only. A few had lines out of the door. I will keep school funding, teacher retention, bond elections, student attendance, decisions about building and renovating facilities, and rural school district concerns top of mind as I work on story plans for 2025!

Final chapter in history project We’ve been honoring the Association’s 75th anniversary in each issue this year with a story highlighting TASB’s many achievements. This month, in the final installment, the magazine focuses on technology and how TASB has worked diligently to help public schools apply new technology in their districts. The Association also has focused on using the latest technology in its operations to better serve members and their districts. Our final history

Laura Tolley

story begins on page 8.

I want to thank all of the TASB staff members who have worked so hard to research, write, edit, and design the history project. It’s really been an honor to chronicle how the Association has had a positive impact on Texas public schools through its high-quality services, visionary leadership, and skilled advocacy. These articles have reflected how TASB staff works to help members succeed in promoting educational excellence for all Texas schoolchildren.

I want to thank all of the TASB staff members who have worked so hard to research, write, edit, and design the history project.

Welcoming our new president As you probably know, we have a new TASB President. Rolinda Schmidt, a longtime Kerrville ISD trustee, officially became the 2024-25 TASB President at the close of Delegate Assembly at txEDCON in late September.

Schmidt has been a Kerrville ISD trustee for 28 years, is a Leadership TASB graduate, and has served on the TASB Board for many years, to name just a few of her accomplishments.

Read more about Schmidt’s background, including how she moved from the big city to the Texas Hill Country as a teenager and how she dealt with that big transition in a profile that begins on page 16. You can also read about her plans as

TASB President in her inaugural column on page 5.

Hearing from district leaders I’m happy to have another District Voices column in the November issue.

This month, we hear from John Sherrill, who is in his first year as superintendent of Panhandle ISD, a district of about 630 students that is located in the Texas Panhandle near Amarillo.

District Voices is an occasional column that features articles written by local school district board members and other school leaders from around Texas. I think It’s a great opportunity for members to tell a impactful story about a district program, an achievement, or an individual who is helping student success. We want to hear from you!

New production schedule in 2025 Finally, I want to let you know that the new year is bringing new changes to Texas Lone Star. In 2025, we will be moving to a new publication schedule — from 10 issues to six issues per year. Our goal with a more compressed schedule is to enhance content quality, support a digital-first strategy for tasb.org, and create a more sustainable future for the magazine.

Thank you for your support as we move forward with these changes and as we continue to offer award-winning content to our Texas school boards.

I hope you enjoy the issue.H

Laura Tolley is managing editor of Texas Lone Star.

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RIDING THE TECHNOLOGY WAVE TASB FOCUS IS HELPING MEMBERS AS TECH EVOLVES

by Melissa Locke Roberts

Editor’s note: In every issue of Texas Lone Star this year, the magazine will honor TASB’s 75th anniversary by writing about the positive impact the Association has had on Texas public schools through its high-quality services, visionary leadership, and skilled advocacy. Additionally, these articles will highlight the significant events, people, legislation, and issues that have shaped public education in Texas.

Overall, these articles reflect how TASB and school leaders work hard together to promote educational excellence for all Texas schoolchildren.

F

uturist writer Alvin Toffler described technology as “the great growling engine of change” almost half a century ago. Not surprisingly, the engine has never stopped growling, and its effect on education has been phenomenal.

Technology in education became a hot topic after the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957 and sent the first human into space in 1961. In an address to the TASA | TASB Convention the next year, then-Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson emphasized the critical need for public education to equip young people with the “skills necessary to master the demands of an increasingly complex world.”

Another convention speaker, Texas Gov. John Connally, echoed that perspective: “The requirements of the technological age in which we live are demanding to an extreme. … What is needed are new approaches, new concepts, new dimensions in the role and scope of education in the 1960s.”

Similar words could easily be spoken today.

Public schools have done their best to keep up, but as soon as a new technology is mastered, a replacement appears. It’s a never-ending challenge, as funding for new equipment and increased training is limited.

TASB’s response from the beginning has been to help public schools address the challenges that technology brings and to serve members more efficiently by applying new technology. In looking back at TASB’s 75-year history, it would be impossible to cover everything that has happened from a technological perspective in one article. Instead, we are sharing a few of the major developments — which continue to multiply.

Clearly, when it comes to technology, the only thing that has remained constant is change.

Helping schools address tech challenges

In 1989, when the Texas Legislature voted to fund technology in schools, TASB helped districts take advantage of the new money available to them.

“We had an active campaign to promote the Long-Range Plan for Technology in schools, which was part of our legislative agenda,” said Karen Strong, who led TASB Communications from 1988 to 2020. “TASB was a real leader in bringing tech into the classroom, beginning with its nationally acclaimed Texas Learning Technology Group and an early connection with TENET

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When email came onto the scene, members attending TASB events relied on provided email stations.

Photo from TASB archives

(Texas Education Network), an email network for educators in the state.”

The move toward technology for public schools, however, was a gradual process.

“Believe it or not, there was still a lot of distrust of technology, even among our members,” Strong said. “We did a little bit of swimming upstream to champion its use, showing examples of the latest platform, like websites, Facebook, etc. It was interesting to help shape our members’ perceptions of technology and help them see how to use the tools to benefit their districts.”

Texas Learning Technology Group Public schools were under attack in the mid-1980s for not using more effective teaching methods to improve student performance, particularly in science. Students needed to increase their technological literacy to be able to understand an increasingly complex subject, but qualified science teachers were in short supply.

TASB took the lead in helping to advance science education in Texas by introducing a technological approach through the Texas Learning Technology Group, established in 1985. The goal was to involve educational groups in the integration of new technologies into curriculum delivery systems, evaluate the effectiveness of a technology-based curriculum, and provide support to schools in teaching technology.

“TASB leadership perceived that students’ learning styles of the period were different from those of preceding generations but that teaching strategies in the classroom had not changed,” Don Sheffield, who served on the TLTG Board from 1985 to 1994, said at the time of its founding. “They strongly believed that the use of technology could achieve much-needed improvements.”

TLTG partnered with the National Science Foundation and 13 Texas school districts in its first project, described as the country’s “premier science education project” at that time. It was a complete, two-semester physical science curriculum for grades 8-10 that incorporated computer-assisted instruction. IBM

ASSISTING SCHOOLS WITH TECH CHALLENGES TLTG TASBNET TECHNOLOGY SERVICES RMF CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM CONNECTED TEXAS

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Photo from TASB archives

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the entry ramp for Texas educators onto the “information superhighway.”

As part of TENET, TASB created a communications network for board members called TASBNET. The purpose was to share late-breaking legislative developments with members and provide other online services such as registrations and claims filing.

Soon, school board members were gravitating to TENET as an early introduction to the internet and a way to cut mailing costs.

Many used TASBNET to discuss district affairs with other trustees, other districts, and other states. Then in 1996, TASB began seeking board members’ “electronic addresses” to begin forming a directory.

Although TENET expanded over the next six years, the infrastructure limited TASB staff member Sherry Moore sharing information access. Eventually, websites and email would about technology and education at a TASB conference in become not only greatly accessible but secthe 1990s. ond nature to all.

Another development in the early days of the internet was a TASB offering called TASB Technology Services. Introduced in 1990, the provided initial support, and it was the first of many service offered technological support, training, and events corporate sponsors over the years. for school districts. The help was needed, as Texas public An integrated computer and videodisc system was schools had recently been required to create instructional chosen to present material in a new way, allowing for more technology plans and to use the statewide electronic inforstudent interaction. Also, TLTG worked hard to educate mation network created for communications from TEA. school personnel about the use of technology.

Technology Services’ publications advised districts on The physical science curriculum was followed by a creating long-range plans, the latest equipment and softchemistry curriculum, an environmental science series, and ware, alternative funding strategies, and more, while a conother award-winning programs. sulting service provided hands-on, personalized guidance.

“TLTG was a pioneer, founded at a time when effective Seminars and workshops were held regularly, and events like computer-assisted curriculum and learning was limited in the Great Technology Show in the early '90s incorporated Texas public schools,” said Paula Brady, who had been a site visits with breakout sessions and exhibits. Later in the longtime director of TLTG when it was phased out in 1999. decade, the Technology in Schools Conference provided a “The marketplace has changed, with a number of comsimilar experience, with attendance in 1996 tripling from mercial publishers committing to the development of curthe previous year. riculum that more fully integrates technology,” Brady added.

“The landscape has changed in part through the vision of TASB and TLTG.” Continuous help with tech changes Sheffield, who served on the school board at TASB Technology Services eventually phased out as Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, has praised TLTG’s schools became more assimilated to technology, but TASB innovative efforts. has never stopped providing information on technology to “To this day, I am still proud of TASB for undertaking public schools. this proactive project rather than just sitting back and letVarious vehicles have included the Technology Today ting the situation rock along until somebody else made such column (added to Texas Lone Star in 1991), frequent Legal an effort,” Sheffield said when TLTG ended.

Services papers and articles, campaigns such as the “Millennium Bug” eradication campaign (informing districts about preparation for Y2K), and resources and training on cyberTASBNET and tech services security.

In 1991, the Texas Education Agency established TENET Two new TASB offerings have emerged in recent years to introduce Texas educators to the internet and the role of to help members address tech challenges. The Risk Managetechnology in the classroom. Through TENET, educators ment Fund’s cybersecurity program was introduced in 2014 had access to online library catalogues, educational computto help school districts reduce cyberattack threats, and just er archives, public databases, and instructional hypermedia this year, TASB announced a new wireless infrastructure libraries. Funded through the Long-Range Plan for Techprogram, ConnectED Texas, designed to help school nology by the Texas Legislature, TENET was considered

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districts market their properties to cellular carriers to strengthen cell connectivity.

Harnessing tech to help members

When TASB was founded in 1949, the Digital Revolution had just begun.

The Association made a commitment early on to embrace new technologies so that member school boards and the schools they serve were never left waiting for its services.

“TASB has maintained a steadfast dedication to ongoing learning and cultivated robust vendor relationships to remain at the forefront of emerging technologies and innovative concepts,” said Kathy Wetzel, TASB chief information officer.

New technology has been adopted along the way to introduce or enhance TASB services, increase training options, and expand information resources for members. Following are some examples of enhanced services.

Policy Service: Computerization of many TASB services began in the early 1980s, with a major focus on policy assistance. TASB’s Policy Service adopted mainframe computers to help handle the volume and complexity of maintaining customized policy manuals for school districts that participated in the service.

When desktop computers became common in the 1990s, Policy Online® was created to produce policy manuals on floppy disks. The product revolutionized policy manual maintenance and access and helped eliminate the bulky blue manuals most districts used.

“Our greatest challenge was understanding that school districts are usually not ahead of the technology curve,” said Gail Ayers, who recently retired after serving as TASB’s assistant director of Policy Service Operations. “We needed to ensure we didn’t roll out technology that their systems couldn’t handle and at the same time try to bring TASB and school districts out of the paper age.”

A move to Microsoft Windows in the early 2000s enabled Policy Service to publish policies online and exchange files electronically with district staff.

Several updates were made in the 2010s, and in recent years, the newly

USING TECH TO HELP MEMBERS POLICY ONLINE ™ BUYBOARD® HRDATASOURCE BOARDBOOK® PREMIER VIRTUAL TRAINING SOCIAL MEDIA MEMBER DASHBOARD DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS

Major TASB events continued during the pandemic with the use of virtual technology.

Photo by TASB Media Services

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The TASB Talks podcast was created in 2017 to share news about public schools. A live taping at the 2018 txEDCON in Austin featured former Texas Lone Star Managing Editor Roger White, TASA Executive Director Kevin Brown, and former TASB Executive Director James B. Crow.

Photo by TASB Media Services

redesigned Policy Online has made it easier for school district administrators to keep track of their ongoing policy work.

“Policy Service came of age in the era of desktop publishing, but the conventions and expectations of web-based publishing have evolved far from their desktop roots,” said Marvin Long, manager and business analyst in the division.

“It’s critical that we deliver products and services that are polished, professional, and up to date while spending as few of our members’ dollars as possible.”

BuyBoard®: In 1998, just as internet usage was becoming common, the Local Government Purchasing Cooperative was formed by TASB, the Region 2 ESC, and the Texas Municipal League. Its customized online purchasing system, called BuyBoard, was designed to help school districts and other governmental entities simplify the purchasing process and increase purchasing power through web-based technologies.

“The introduction of the internet allowed for collaboration and sharing that had never been experienced prior, and cooperative purchasing fit the model,” said Steve Fisher, director of Cooperative Purchasing at TASB. Point-and-click access allowed participating school districts to easily find product descriptions, commodity codes, part numbers, and more when shopping for everything from paper clips to school buses.

“The biggest challenge in the early days was internet access (can you say dial up?) and demonstrating that cooperative purchasing was a viable option,” Fisher said. Along the

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way, improvements have been made to provide the ease and speed online shoppers of any kind expect these days. Today, BuyBoard is used by schools, municipalities, and other public entities across the nation.

“Ever since BuyBoard was founded, the technology that supports everything internet has been changing at a lightning pace but has gotten easier to implement,” said Fisher.

“As the technology continues to evolve, our challenge will be to balance what members would like to see, what direction we see the BuyBoard going, and the resources to accomplish all that.”

HR Services: Since 1984, TASB HR Services has provided information, data, and guidance to human resource administrators in participating Texas schools. A key purpose has been creating custom job market reports with data that staff have collected through surveys. As technology has evolved, HR Services has evolved along with it, making sure that members can access and process data efficiently.

“We’ve been collecting and sharing salary survey data with members for nearly 40 years,” said Amy Campbell, director of HR Services. Campbell said that survey results were shared for many years in paper form via books sent to member organizations.

“In 2008, we rolled out DataCentral to members — an online reporting system for our survey data that allowed members to filter by district characteristics then run and download on-demand reports,” she said. “After many successful years sharing data via DataCentral, we introduced a new reporting system in 2020 called TASB HRDataSource™.

As part of that update, we moved to fully online survey data collection, which improved response rates while simplifying and modernizing the experience for our members.

“We work hard each year to provide timely, actionable survey data to members to help them make critical decisions about compensation and staffing in their organizations.”

BoardBook®: In the early 2000s, boards of all kinds across the country were moving toward paperless meetings. To help Texas school boards in that process, TASB released BoardBook in 2002.

The internet-based software/application was developed by TASB staff to help school districts streamline meeting preparation and more efficiently create agenda packets. The product’s success eventually led to partnership agreements with school districts in other states, with versions created especially for them. An updated version, BoardBook® Premier, was released in 2019.

Increased training options In the area of training, TASB has readily adopted new technologies to ensure that members can easily access the courses they need.

In the late 1980s, TASB offered an advanced form of training for the times: audio- and video-based distance learning classes provided through telephone conference calls. In 1994, the Association hosted its first satellitedelivered board training session. During the late '90s and early 2000s, videos in VHS and DVD formats were produced as the technology du jour.

In 2002, TASB’s Online Learning Center was introduced to complement in-person events with training that members could obtain from their homes or offices whenever they wanted.

Although live training events would continue to be preferred by members, TASB added an attendance option

for those who couldn’t travel in 2008: distance learning through webinar technology.

New approaches to online training reached an unprecedented level in 2020, when COVID-19 shut down inperson events. TASB staff scrambled to provide, for the first time, virtual training events. Since then, virtual approaches have become a viable option for many TASB events.

Expanded information and resources The steady growth of communications technology has greatly assisted a top priority at TASB: getting in touch with members and providing the information they need.

By the late 1980s, TASB had improved its phone mail system to increase communication efficiency and had already installed a rudimentary version of email, which was uncommon at the time.

With the advent of the internet, the ability to connect with members exploded. TASB’s first website launched in 1995, and gradually, capabilities for personalization grew.

Now members and key audience groups automatically receive a more personalized experience when logging in on the website.

TASB has embraced new forms of communication as soon as mainstream usage has become common, including social media accounts (Facebook in 2007 and Twitter, now X, in 2009) and a podcast (TASB Talks) in 2017. An electronic newsletter for members, The Star, launched in 2009, and in 2013, TASB’s member magazine, Texas Lone Star, became accessible via smartphones and tablets.

The use of new communications technology has played a huge part in TASB’s advocacy efforts, allowing members to receive instant communications about legislative actions and to communicate with legislators directly about important education issues. (Read more about the tools used in building advocacy to support public education in the June 2024 issue of TLS.) “We are committed to exploring and testing upcoming technologies so that our members never have to wait for us to get up to speed,” said Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield, TASB deputy executive director. “We want to be present on new platforms and use the latest technology, even before our members are there.”H Melissa Locke Roberts is a staff writer for Texas Lone Star.

Virtual meetings became commonplace during the pandemic.

Photo by TASB Media Services

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TECH CHALLENGES: TODAY AND BEYOND

by Melissa Locke Roberts and Sylvia Wood

There is no doubt that technology has broadened educational experiences for students and will continue to do so. But those opportunities come with ongoing challenges for both school boards and district administrators across the state.

Joy Baskin, education counsel and associate executive director of TASB Policy and Legal Services, says that the prevalence of cell phones on campus and the influence of social media are among some of the thorniest issues for both students and educators.

“Research shows that constant distraction and the developing mind’s response to the highs and lows of social media is taking a toll on students’ health and readiness to learn,” Baskin said. “That’s not to say that technology cannot be a meaningful part of instruction — it must be — but the educational environment is definitely more challenging now. Educators have had to deal with secret recordings being shared online, fights staged for social media, cyberbullying, viral safety threats, and sexting, just to name a few issues.”

Some schools across Texas and the country are trying to minimize those distractions by implementing new “phone-free” policies to improve the learning environment and help students stay focused on instruction.

Among the many challenges of managing student conduct in a digital environment, however, is knowing the scope of the school district’s jurisdiction, Baskin said.

“Proving student digital misconduct often requires legal advice about how to avoid an unlawful search and do a proper forensic investigation,” she explained. “If social media posts over the weekend have a negative impact on the school

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environment, are district administrators empowered to step in?” She cited a recent U.S. Supreme Court case about a cheerleader’s weekend Snapchat posts criticizing the cheerleading program. The Court’s decision that the district lacked jurisdiction to discipline for the off-campus speech left administrators uncertain about when they can address students’ potentially disruptive or harassing off-campus statements about other students, employees, or the school itself.

School board members are also feeling uncertainties about conducting their own business in a digital world. During the pandemic, many school boards met online for the first time, following special remote meeting rules under the Texas Open Meetings Act. The remote meetings gave the community a chance to watch board meetings from home, and even after pandemic precautions ended, the public has continued to have an appetite for streaming or viewing recorded school board meetings.

“This level of public access has increased community interest in board operations, which is beneficial, but can also present legal and logistical challenges if a large number of citizens want to address the board,” Baskin said. Board members also must be cautious about their personal use of technology while serving as public officials, as social media posts and text messages about school business have implications under the OMA and the Public Information Act. Other evolving technological challenges for school districts include a growing number of cybersecurity threats and navigating the potential benefits and pitfalls associated with artificial intelligence.

As the largest provider of risk management services to educational entities in Texas, the TASB Risk Management

Fund is seeing growing interest in its cybersecurity program, which not only provides coverage for participating members but also essential training to protect against threats and attacks.

“Public schools are a popular target for cyber criminals because they have a lot of data and may not always have the resources to protect against those who want to steal, disrupt, or extort,” said Mary Barrett, associate executive director of TASB Risk Management Services. “A primary focus for us is to provide training, coverage, and claim services to help members improve their cybersecurity resilience and prevent these attacks.”

Cybersecurity is also a big concern for school trustees, who are required to have training on the subject.

Contracts that school boards sign for educational technology must be written to protect student privacy and prohibit the commercial use of student information.

“This year, the Texas Education Agency released suggested guidelines for school boards that issue school-owned devices and software applications,” said Baskin. “These guidelines emphasize student data privacy, protection of students from inappropriate content, and security for the school district’s technology infrastructure.”

monitor for academic honesty,” said Baskin. “AI and deep fake content will be an additional challenge for monitoring and disciplining for student and employee misconduct and protecting student safety.”

Yet AI is already bringing some benefits to school districts that are using it to bolster their security efforts, through enhanced screening and video monitoring.

Karlyn Keller, TASB’s division director of Student Solutions and School Medicaid Services, also sees the unlimited potential of AI to assist students regardless of their learning styles, special needs, language proficiency, or family supports.

She cited the example of a student being able to interact with AI to improve understanding of a math concept or historical event, especially if they are doing homework or don’t otherwise have an adult who can easily provide help. “At its best, AI is enhancing our expertise, not replacing our experience,” she said.

Keller noted that AI should always be a collaborative experience with its human users, saying, “In the AI journey, human insight remains the compass.”

Melissa Locke Roberts and Sylvia Wood are staff writers for Texas Lone Star.

Even as school districts grapple with the challenges posed by cyberthreats, they will need to address the emerging issues being posed by artificial intelligence.

“AI will present new opportunities for efficiency and individualized learning, but AI will also make it harder to encourage independent learning and

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LEADERSHIP THROUGH

Inclusion

Photo courtesy of Kerrville ISD

TASB President devoted to students, community, public education

by Laura Tolley

Being inquisitive and optimistic, listening and asking questions, and seeking solutions that many stakeholders can embrace are trademarks of Schmidt’s approach to life and her efforts to serve TASB President Rolinda Schmidt gets a hug from Kerrville ISD teacher Courtney Perry while delivering breakfast tacos her community. Those are traits she to teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week in May 2023. also brings to her new role as president of TASB, serving at a time when public education is facing funding and other challenges and is sure to be a focus of the t the start of her junior year in Texas Legislature next year. high school, Rolinda Schmidt Kerrville ISD Superintendent Brent and her family left the Houston Ringo said Schmidt’s long tenure as a area where she had enjoyed a school board trustee will serve her well at busy, happy life since she was a toddler. the Association because it demonstrates They headed west to the family ranch outside Kerrville. It was a dramatic change her commitment to public education and is “a testament to her unwavering dedicathat taught her an important life lesson, tion, vision, and heart. but it would not be her last.

“Mrs. Schmidt has helped shape gen“What a culture shock that was — erations, not just in Kerrville, but across urban to rural, rural, rural — my life was our great state of Texas while serving over!” Schmidt said in recalling how she TASB. Her leadership has helped ensure felt about the shift from a metropolitan that public education remains a beacon area to the Texas Hill Country. “But I of hope and an opportunity for every quickly learned I had prejudged and student,” Ringo said. “I truly appreciate misjudged this new hometown of mine her legacy of service and the profound and soon grew to love the friendships and impact her experiences will bring as freedoms that came with living the smallpresident of TASB, as the ripple effect town life.” of her leadership will continue to have Schmidt, TASB President for 2024-25 a positive impact for years to come.” and a Kerrville ISD trustee for 28 years Another superintendent who worked and counting, said the move taught her the true meaning of a famous line by Walt with Schmidt at Kerrville ISD also has high praise for her work as a compasWhitman: “Be curious, not judgmental.”

A

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sionate and respected public education advocate.

“Rolinda is a remarkable leader,” said TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell, who was Kerrville ISD’s superintendent from 2003 to 2016. “She has a great heart for children, teachers, and staff. She also thinks strategically and looks for the winwin solution. She listens first and always ensures that everyone has their voice heard, which builds trust in her leadership. I think that makes her especially unique and effective as a leader.”

A compassionate path Schmidt was born in Fort Worth, where her parents had earlier graduated from Arlington Heights High School.

Her father attended Baylor University on a baseball scholarship but returned to Fort Worth after graduation to work for Marathon Oil Co. as an oil and gas landman, who works with landowners to acquire leases for the development of energy sources. Her mother went straight to work out of high school as a phone operator and receptionist at a law firm located in the same building as Marathon Oil. They met, married within a year, and had two boys and a girl. Schmidt, the middle child, is named after her father, Roland, who was transferred to Houston when she was three.

Photos by TASB Media Services

Schmidt’s presidency became official at Delegate Assembly in late September.

She holds the gavel with Armando Rodriguez, Canutillo ISD board president and now TASB Immediate Past President for 2024-25.

A passion for helping others Helping others has long been Schmidt’s passion. After moving to the Hill Country and then graduating from Kerrville ISD’s Tivy High School, she went west again to Denver, where she attended Colorado Women’s College for a year. She returned to her home state, enrolling at Southwest Texas State, now Texas State University, as a sociology major. After two years as a Bobcat, she transferred to San Jose State University in California to pursue a degree in social services, which wasn’t offered then at Southwest. At San Jose, she worked as a nurse’s aide at a group home for children with health conditions that included Down syndrome, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and heart abnormalities.

“I grew to admire and love each one of those special needs kids who had so much love and joy to offer, even in their limited physical or mental capacity,” Schmidt said. “I came to appreciate the gentle and caring nature of the special education teachers, aides, and bus drivers who dedicated their lives to the wellbeing of these students every school day.”

Her caring and dedicated approach was cultivated in part from a line Schmidt’s parents recited to her often from Mother Teresa’s Anyway poem: “The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.” She believes those wise words instilled an important value and belief system in her that led to her degree path and “ultimately where I am today.”

She likely would have led a happy life of service in California, but a dramatic course change was ahead. With it came another important life lesson: Family comes first.

A close-knit family When they were in Houston, Schmidt and her older brother attended rival high schools because her family moved to a new attendance zone when she started high school. Their high school rivalry prompted spirited family dinner conversations and some confusion for the parents at school events. It was all in good fun. They were a close family.

While away at college in California, her beloved older brother, Cully, was killed in an automobile accident. The tragedy prompted Schmidt to move back to Kerrville after she graduated from college so she could be with her grieving family.

Schmidt eventually married and moved to Washington D.C., where her then-husband Clarence “Butch” Randall was a lobbyist. When Ronald Reagan was elected president, Randall joined the new president’s administration in 1981. A highlight for Schmidt was meeting then-President Reagan when he strolled through the White House Mess, the dining room for West Wing staffers run by the U.S. Navy.

But political life was hard on family life. The couple divorced several years later after a brief move to the rural community of Westcliffe, Colorado, for a simpler lifestyle that involved farming.

Schmidt and Debbie Gillespie, TASB President 2022-23, at a dinner in El Paso honoring TASB’s 75th anniversary this year. The dinner was part of the TASB Board’s summer meeting.

Schmidt left Colorado with her two small children and moved home to Kerrville — again for the strength of family.

Back in Kerrville, Schmidt eventually went to work in the family real estate development business, earning a real estate broker’s license. She married Arthur Schmidt, a local homebuilder and former classmate, and they have raised three children — Shaun, Amelia, and Hunter.

They now have seven grandchildren.

“The silver lining in this change of career direction is it afforded me the flexibility to be present and engaged in school events for my own three children,” she said. “I was an active member of campus PTOs, served on the [Kerrville ISD] districtwide planning committees, and was a board member for our public school foundation. Our family hosted two foreign exchange students from the Netherlands through the Rotary Club.”

Schmidt got involved in community organizations, including the Kerr County United Way, which opened another door of public service for her in a most unexpected way.

A quick, but important, decision Serving in Kerr County as the campaign chair for United Way gave her the opportunity to meet area educators. One day decades ago, she walked into Kerrville ISD’s central office for one such meeting.

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Photos courtesy of Kerrville ISD

The Kerrville ISD team of eight prepares to hand out diplomas to the Tivy High School Class of 2024 at graduation. From left are Superintendent Brent Ringo, trustees Pete Calderon, Dr. David Sprouse [board president], Mike Tackett, Andree Hayes, Jack Stevens Jr., Schmidt, and Greg Peschel.

Schmidt welcomes new Kerrville ISD staff during New Teacher Academy prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year.

However, someone at the front desk mistakenly thought she was there for another reason and asked if she needed a school board candidate packet. Schmidt quickly pondered that possibility — then picked up a packet! Another course change was launched.

“A school board position was not on my radar at that time, but that simple question on a Friday afternoon with one hour to the deadline to file changed my life.”

In 1996, Schmidt was first elected to the Kerrville ISD school board, which serves a midsize district of about 4,600 students. She has continuously served on the board for 28 years and has been board president, vice president, and secretary.

“I have more passion, dedication, and commitment today than I did in those very early months of learning just what I had signed up for,” she said.

A primary reason for her continued desire to serve lies in the strength of her local board. “Our Kerrville community has been fortunate to have a school board that is truly invested in the best interests of all our students and staff.”

Serving Kerrville ISD A couple years after she was first elected, Dr. David Sprouse joined her on the Kerrville ISD board. Sprouse is now board president.

“Rolinda is a person who is the perfect balance of smart businesswoman and kind, caring servant,” Sprouse said.

“On the board, she has worked tirelessly on behalf of not only our local district’s students, but due to her commitment of service for school boards and schoolchil18

dren on a statewide level, her positive impact has been exponentially expanded.”

Schmidt is a strong supporter of the district’s early childhood education center, literacy programs, STEAM Education, and CCMR initiatives, to name a few.

During her time as a trustee, the district has passed bond packages to build a high school, middle school, elementary school, agricultural facility, renovate athletic facilities, and add safety and security upgrades on all existing campuses. She is especially proud that those projects were completed on time and within budget.

Schmidt also introduced a leadership program modeled after one at HurstEuless-Bedford ISD. She learned about the program at an annual txEDCON convention during a presentation by Julie Cole, a current TASB director, and Faye Beaulieu, the 2013-14 TASB President. This leadership program gives community members the opportunity to learn about the school district and the Texas public school system, and it serves as a way to showcase district success.

The program has graduated more than 135 community ambassadors and future school board candidates. “It’s a reflection on how it takes a communitywide effort to ensure that every student has the educational resources and opportunities to reach his/her full potential,” Schmidt said.

She also has worked to expand the district’s CTE offerings, and in collaboration with the local airport board, the Airplane Owners and Pilots Association, and former NASA professionals, aviation courses were added to the district’s high school curriculum. “This has been

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a welcome addition for our Air Force Junior ROTC students and others, many of whom have earned a pilot’s license or drone pilot certification.”

Schmidt also has served on the Campus Improvement Team at Kerrville’s academic alternative high school for more than 20 years. “She always provides support to the school and administration,” said Steve Schwarz, senior director of Alternative Education. “Rolinda is an asset to our community. She has committed years of time and effort to our district and community. She is very thorough in her school board time and effort. She reads everything and offers excellent ideas.”

Another program dear to Schmidt’s public ed heart is Kerrville’s sixth grade Outdoor Education program, which offers students from the district’s four elementary schools the opportunity to bond as one class. A few weeks after school starts each year, these students can go on an overnight trip at a local camp deep in the Hill Country, arguably Texas’s most picturesque territory.

“Fifty-seven percent of our Kerrville students are economically disadvantaged and most of these have not experienced camp life or an overnight away from home, so this is quite a unique experience for them,” Schmidt said. “It’s a perfect setting for students and teachers to bond in a nontraditional school setting.”

While fun for the kids, the camp program is a labor-intensive effort that requires community sponsors, program presenters, and parent volunteers. Schmidt has been a lacing presenter for 18 years.

(For those not familiar with lacing, an activity that helps build hand-eye coordi-

nation, finger strength, and concentration.

She encourages you to ask for a demo the next time you see her!)

“I really appreciate the opportunity this camp experience affords our kids in a beautiful setting along the Frio River, away from all the distractions and barriers of everyday life. Best of all, no cell phone service!”

Laura Tolley is managing editor of Texas Lone Star.

Advice for New Trustees The November election has the potential to usher in new school board members across the state.

TASB President Rolinda Schmidt has some time-tested advice for newly elected trustees: • Familiarize yourself with the State Board of Education’s Framework for School Board Development.

• Find a mentor on your board.

• Build a relationship with your superintendent and fellow board members — you are a team.

• Do not be afraid to ask questions.

• Seek out training opportunities.

• Learn your board's standard operating procedures.

• Stay in your lane.

• And above all — LISTEN. A favorite quote Schmidt keeps in mind as a trustee:

“A leader doesn't just show up. A leader shows up with perspective, clarity and hope.”

— Rick Rigsby, author and educator

Photos courtesy of Kerrville ISD

Service through TASB Schmidt was sworn in as TASB President this September at txEDCON24 in San Antonio at Delegate Assembly.

But her first encounter with the annual convention came decades ago shortly after being elected to the Kerrville ISD board in 1996. At her first convention, she remembers feeling grateful that the district was part of a statewide organization that was deeply committed to Texas schoolchildren. (Read more about her first convention and plans as TASB President in her inaugural column on page 5.)

She attended Leadership TASB, graduating as a Master Trustee in 1999.

Schmidt has served on the TASB Board for many years, including the past several years as a board officer.

Troxell said a cornerstone of Schmidt’s leadership style is that she is an inclusive collaborator who works to get input from all stakeholders. And she never seeks credit for all the work she’s done.

“Rolinda is a humble, respected, ethical, and civic-minded person. She is a true leader in the Kerrville community and a strong statewide leader in public

education,” Troxell said. “She leads by finding smart ways to build consensus and has a keen ability to think around corners and find ways to act on large and small ideas. She has a brilliant business mind and incredible insight into people.

She understands what motivates them.”

For Debbie Gillespie, the 2022-23 TASB President, Schmidt is a great mentor and friend who sets an example of what it truly means to value others.

“One of the greatest privileges of serving on a board such as TASB is sharing your passion while watching and learning from others,” said Gillespie, who was a Frisco ISD board member and the 2023-24 TASB Immediate Past President.

“I have learned so much by watching the way Rolinda cares about her family, friends, the Kerrville ISD students, staff, and community, and all of our precious public school students in Texas. Her involvement and service to her community are wonderful examples of servant leadership.

“I could not be more excited and prouder to see her as the next president of TASB,” Gillespie said.

Schmidt is excited as well.

“I have been blessed with some of the most amazing mentors throughout my life, and my hope is to put to use the wisdom and experience I have gained to best serve TASB and all the hardworking trustees across this great state of Texas,” Schmidt said. “Together we are better.”H

Among Schmidt’s favorite Kerrville ISD’s programs is the annual Sixth Grade Outdoor Education program, where students go on an overnight trip to the Texas Hill Country and participate in a variety of activities, including fishing, forestry, animal tracking, and hiking.

Schmidt helps a student with a lacing activity, which involves mastering the square knot. Schmidt has been an avid supporter and leader in Kerrville ISD’s Outdoor Education program for sixth graders. issuu.com/tasb-org | November 2024 |

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Along for the Ride School bus drivers keep an eye on students’ well-being

by Beth Griesmer

T

he hiss of brakes and the swing of a red stop sign are a familiar morning scene as students file onto buses with backpacks as their parents wave goodbye. Tens of thousands of yellow school buses log millions of miles each year ferrying Texas schoolchildren to and from school and to extracurricular activities.

Bill Avera, chief of police for Jacksonville ISD, saw that daily connectedness between driver and student as an opportunity to help boost the district’s safety and wellness efforts.

“I just think those bus drivers are key,” said Avera. “They are the first person to see them every day and the last person to see them every afternoon.

“They tend to make very good relationships with those students,” he said. “Not only are the bus drivers seeing the subtle changes in behavior, in attitude, in hygiene, but they are also in a position often as a trusted adult to getting outcries.” For example, Avera recounted how a student told a bus driver that he hadn’t seen his parents in two days. The driver immediately alerted the administration.

“It began to make me think, in the age of school safety, these folks have to know that they are on the frontline.” Avera said about 60% of students ride a school bus in his small rural district in East Texas.

A few years ago, as Avera sought ways to stay on top of school safety mandates and address the mental health needs

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Jacksonville of Jacksonville ISD students, he began to enlist the help of bus drivers to look out for student concerns. That effort continues today, and school leaders appreciate how Avera has expanded it to other district staff.

“We in Jacksonville ISD believe that teaching and learning cannot occur if our students, staff, and stakeholders do not feel safe,” said Jacksonville ISD Superintendent Brad Stewart.

“To that end, Chief Avera has long trained our bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and other auxiliary staff on what to see, say, and do if they suspect that a student may be in distress, or experiencing some type of crisis.”

Being on the frontlines Psychologist Adam Sáenz believes the frontline of student mental health intervention is the schools.

“Kids have to go to school,” said Sáenz, who serves as supervising psychologist for Texas A&M’s College of Medicine and department of Athletics. “So, what that means is that those schools are daily collecting baskets of all of those kids struggling with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, chronic

absenteeism, and dysregulated behavior with an inability to focus and learn. They all come together in our schools and it’s absolutely overwhelming.”

According to a recent report by the Texas Department of State Health Services, 246 of the 254 counties in the state are designated by the federal government as having shortages in mental health providers. Those shortages are more acute in rural counties.

Along with a lack of providers, Sáenz has also seen the residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in his work in education. “In 2019, 20% of teens were struggling with a severe mental health issue — 30% of them received treatment,” he said. “In 2023, the effects of the pandemic were not over. Now, 45% of high school students will experience some type of mental health issue before they graduate.”

But he believes initiatives like those in Jacksonville ISD are reason to have hope.

“You don’t have to be a thoracic surgeon to save a life with CPR,” Sáenz said. “You don’t have to be a licensed mental health provider to administer basic mental health first aid as a first wave of intervention.”

See something, say something Avera taps into the pool of paraprofessionals and auxiliary personnel across the district who interact with students every day. “While school safety is important for all of us in the security and safety business,” he said, “it is also important to have these other eyes that can tell us what they are seeing and what the kids are saying to them.”

He bases his efforts on the “If you see something, say something” model of policing adopted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Sáenz agreed that adults have an intuitive sense of what normal behaviors look like in students and recognize when something is off.

“We recognize that the school bus driver is generally the first district employee to see our students each day and well

According to a recent report by the Texas Department of State Health Services, 246 of the 254 counties in the state are designated by the federal government as having shortages in mental health providers.

Those shortages are more acute in rural counties. may be the last,” Stewart said. “Next are the cafeteria workers.

If they know what to look for in terms of changes is appearance, attitude, demeanor, hygiene, etc., they are empowered to report this to a campus administrator, their supervisor, or a JISD police officer.”

While they do not have a formal reporting system, Avera has included student discipline and student well-being curriculum in the training bus drivers are required to have each year.

“We take a 30-minute block and make it work,” he said.

“Otherwise, we go at the start of the year to the bus drivers’ convocation meeting and say to them, ‘Here’s the part you play in this and it’s integral. You are transportation professionals, and you are transporting our most precious commodity. Part of being safe is not only being able to handle that 40-foot–long, two-ton machine, it’s also about knowing your students.’”

Jacksonville ISD uses school buses extensively to transport students to school and extracurricular activities in the rural East Texas district. issuu.com/tasb-org | November 2024 |

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Avera began to think about other staff who interact with students daily and pinpointed the cafeteria workers as the next group to enlist. “Those ladies and gentlemen see those kids every day, twice a day. They know the ones that are hungry, they know ones who haven’t eaten, the ones who don’t eat from Friday afternoon to Monday,” he said. “That’s a huge pool of resources.”

Jacksonville ISD students can spend hours each day on the school bus traversing the rural district.

Greatest impact He encourages other districts to think about the people who can make the greatest impact within the shortest amount of time and with the least amount of effort.

“We are not going to be able to hire enough police officers, counselors, mental health professionals, psychologists, LPCS, MSW, or anything else in our schools,” he said, noting the budget and hiring challenges faced by districts across the state. But districts do have capable paraprofessionals. “They don’t need to have an advanced degree to have a basic understanding of what type of things would be key indicators of what students may be trafficked, abused, or neglected.”

Avera added that he encourages staff to report something in good faith and not worry if they err on the side of caution.

“We get beneficial reports from them every school year.

This information helps counselors,” he said.

Sáenz said districts should offer mental health training much like they do first aid training. He suggests districts invest in social emotional learning for students and staff.

“If you just get those folks engaged and trained, maybe you get one report a year,” said Avera. “But that is one kid you may have stopped from the pathway of violence, maybe one that you save from doing self-harm. You can’t quantify a negative, but if you don’t ask, you don’t know.”H Beth Griesmer is a staff writer for Texas Lone Star.

“While school safety is important for all of us in the security and safety business, it is also important to have these other eyes that can tell us what they are seeing and what the kids are saying to them.”

School bus drivers are an essential part of the Jacksonville ISD community.

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— Bill Avera, chief of police Jacksonville ISD

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issuu.com/tasb-org | November 2024 |

23

Legal News

Confidentiality Guidelines Districts must restrict disclosure of student information

by TASB Legal Services

U

nder the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, school districts must restrict the disclosure of student information, but there are exceptions, most notably involving school safety concerns.

To help districts balance the important but sometimes conflicting goals of confidentiality, transparency, and security in schools, consider the following guidelines.

Q: What FERPA exceptions allow districts to release student records to enhance school safety when there is no immediate threat?

Two general exceptions to FERPA may be useful to districts seeking to promote safety: release by consent and release of directory information.

and provide annual notice of its policy and a parent’s right to object. Tex. Educ.

Code § 26.013. Districts must not release a student’s directory information if their parents have opted out and should keep careful records of parents’ choices.

The procedures related to release by consent and directory information are found in TASB Policy FL (LEGAL).

Q: If a district is concerned about an imminent threat posed by a student to the district or another entity, what can the district disclose and to whom without violating FERPA? FERPA includes a health or safety emergency provision that permits a school district to disclose information from a student’s educational record to appropriate parties as necessary to address

Consent FERPA permits districts to disclose otherwise protected student information with the written consent of the student’s parent or guardian (or sometimes the student if the student is 18 years old). Districts are wise to consider seeking parental consent as a statutorily permitted method of disclosure. 34 C.F.R. § 99.30(a)-(c).

Directory information A school district may also release directory information of a student without obtaining prior written consent.

Directory information is information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Some examples include a student’s name, email address, or grade level. To release directory information, the district must designate certain information as directory information 24

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a specific and articulable threat of a health and safety emergency. 34 C.F.R. § 99.36(a).

The U.S. Department of Education has explained the “specific and articulable” threat standard to mean that the “school official is able to explain, based on all the information available at the time, what the threat is and why it is significant when he or she makes and records the disclosure.” U.S. Dept. of Educ, School Resource Officers, School Law Enforcement Units, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (Feb. 2019).

The district may only disclose the information to individuals whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals, which may include law enforcement, medical personnel, parents, and other relevant parties. 34 C.F.R. § 99.36(c). If a district discloses a student’s information under this exception, it must record in the student’s education record the specific and articulable threat on which the disclosure was based and to whom the information was disclosed. 34 C.F.R. § 99.32(a)(5).

Q: Can our safe and supportive schools’ team (SSST) access and share FERPA-protected student records when performing a behavioral threat assessment of that student?

Performing a behavioral threat assessment with a SSST, as required by Texas Education Code section 37.115,

requires school officials to share information with team members that would typically be protected from disclosure

by FERPA, such as information about a student’s behavior, academic supports, personal history, and disciplinary history.

To ensure appropriate expertise on the SSST, some team members are often not district employees. However, FERPA permits disclosing protected student records even to those nonemployee team members if they qualify as “school officials” with “legitimate educational interests.” See U.S. Dept. of Educ. Student Privacy Policy Office FAQ. In Texas, TASB Policy FL(LOCAL) typically defines “school officials” to include “a person appointed to serve on a team to support the district’s safe and supportive school program.”

Q: Some districts utilize school resource officers or a district police department. When can members of schoolbased law enforcement access student education records?

Law enforcement officers listed as “school officials” can access student

024

do not apply. However, SBLE members who are also school officials with legitimate educational interests can access FERPA-protected records for school safety.

SBLE should carefully and separately maintain their law enforcement records, such as investigative reports, and be aware of FERPA’s requirements for student information that they encounter as a school official.

Q: Are records maintained by SBLE regarding a student treated the same under FERPA as records maintained by the district?

Typically, no. Law enforcement records are specifically excluded from the definition of “education records” under FERPA. Whether the SBLE consists of SROs or a district police department, if the record is created and maintained by a law enforcement unit for law enforcement purposes, FERPA’s disclosure restrictions

This article is provided for educational purposes and contains information to facilitate a general understanding of the law. References to judicial or other official proceedings are intended to be a fair and impartial account of public records, which may contain allegations that are not true.

This article is not an exhaustive treatment of the law, nor is it intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney. Consult your own attorney to apply these legal principles to specific fact situations.

2024

Coming soon to a location near you!

TAS BL

records when they have a legitimate educational interest. For law enforcement unit officials to be considered school officials, they must meet the criteria and be included in the district’s annual FERPA notification to parents. SBLE officials serving on a district’s SSST are also “school officials” with respect to receiving student records necessary to assess a threat. Members of SBLE may also access student records “in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.”

See 34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(10).

EGA

FALL LEGAL SEMINARS L SE

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If you have questions about these issues, consult your school district’s attorney or call TASB Legal Services at 800-580-5345.H

Get the latest legal updates and 5 hours of TEA-approved training credit! » Thursday, November 7, 2024 Abilene - Region 14 Education Service Center - South Campus » Tuesday, November 12, 2024 Tyler - Holiday Inn Tyler Conference Center » Wednesday, November 13, 2024 Waco - Cambria Hotel Waco University Riverfront » Saturday, November 16, 2024 South Padre Island - Courtyard

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Details at tasb.org/legal-seminars issuu.com/tasb-org | November 2024 |

25

Capitol Watch

Delegate Assembly

Trustees adopt legislative agenda at meeting

by Dax González

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measures, and the ability to advocate for their students and schools.

Delegates also adopted 51 resolutions submitted by individual school boards that address issues ranging from accountability sanctions to special education services to ballot language requirements.

The 2025 Assembly will have the ability to amend the new Advocacy Agenda, which will remain effective until the 2026 Delegate Assembly adopts a new one.

The full Advocacy Agenda can be found at gr.tasb.org.

State lawmaker addresses SBAN State Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian) spoke to School Board Advocacy Network members during the annual SBAN lunch in San Antonio Sept. 27. About 210 attendees listened to King discuss vouchers, school finance, and other issues facing public schools. As a member of the House Public Education Committee and a former school board member, King shared his

Sign up for SBAN SBAN is a free TASB service that empowers school trustees to influence key policymakers by quickly mobilizing hundreds of school leaders to communicate positions and information on critical bills and issues. SBAN alerts include detailed background information, suggested steps for taking action, and resources for contacting legislators and other policymakers.

If you are not currently a member, join the hundreds of other school board leaders who already take advantage of SBAN to advocate on behalf of Texas’ schoolchildren and public schools. Sign up online by visiting tasb.org and search for “SBAN sign up.” Remember, one of your primary functions as a school board member is to advocate on behalf of your school district and its students, so sign up today! For more information, contact Dax González at 800-580-4885 or dax.gonzalez@tasb.org.H Dax González is division director of TASB Governmental Relations.

Photo by TASB Media Services

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bout 350 school trustees convened in San Antonio for the 2024 TASB Delegate Assembly on Sept. 28 to vote on the future direction of the Association.

Delegates, who came from across the state and represented the vast spectrum of Texas schools, elected TASB leadership, approved changes to the Association’s bylaws, and adopted the 2025-26 Advocacy Agenda that will direct TASB’s legislative efforts during the 2025 legislative session.

Delegate Assembly is TASB’s annual membership meeting. As Active Members, each local school board and regional education service center board has the right to appoint a Delegate who will speak for their board and community.

The new Advocacy Agenda includes updates to the Cornerstone Principles, which serve as a guide for the Priorities and Resolutions. The TASB Legislative Advisory Council, made up of trustees elected during the 2024 TASB Grassroots Meetings, recommended a new format for the Priorities that was presented to the Assembly. The new format will provide more context for what schools need and less of a list of requests by focusing on two fundamental issues: investing in students and empowering local communities.

Within the priority on investing in students, the Advocacy Agenda specifies the need for an increase to the basic allotment, investing in teacher recruitment and retention, ensuring that all schools that receive public funds are held to the same standards, and transparency of the state’s school finance recapture system.

Regarding empowering local communities, Delegates approved language calling for a transparent and fair accountability system, support for school safety

particularly relevant insights on how school board members should develop working relationships with their local legislators and how it is important to find some common issues on which to work together, even if there are disagreements on other topics of legislation. TASB is especially grateful to King for spending the rest of the day meeting with constituents and other school leaders from across the state to discuss various issues.

Delegates cast their votes at TASB’s annual meeting in San Antonio.

| November 2024 | issuu.com/tasb-org

SAVE THE DATE!

ARE HEADING YOUR WAY IN 2025!

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Region 17

March 26

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Region 11

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Houston

Region 4

April 9

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Region 15

April 10

Gonzales

Region 3 and Region 13

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Region 7

April 22

Huntsville

Region 6

April 24

Uvalde

Region 20

April 29

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Region 19

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Region 18

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issuu.com/tasb-org | November 2024 |

27

Good Governance

Trustees as Advocates Good governance requires outreach

by Robert Long III

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chool boards across Texas know that good governance is at the heart of achieving excellent outcomes for their districts and students. But good governance isn’t limited to what happens within the boardroom. In fact, one of the most important roles trustees and boards have is that of advocate.

Because advocacy is so important, it is part of the State Board of Education’s Framework for School Board Development, which says that “the board promotes the vision and engages the community in developing and fulfilling the vision. The board advocates on behalf of Texas public schoolchildren.”

Traveling around the state and meeting with board members, I’ve seen the positive impact trustees and boards can have in their districts and communities, and with local and state policymakers.

The outreach these board members undertake is critical for the future of public education in Texas.

nesses and nonprofits • Engage and build collaborative relationships with government leaders • Recognize the roles the Legislature, SBOE, and Texas Education Agency play, and provide input and feedback to them • Promote school board service, sharing with the community the role of a school board and encouraging leadership opportunities Taking these actions, trustees and boards will be working to influence and expand educational opportunities and

What is advocacy?

School trustees run for a seat on their local board because they are interested in what is happening in the district, which by default is a form of advocacy. But the SBOE Framework also provides guidance for boards, making plain what it is they should be doing to support advocacy and engagement efforts.

Not surprisingly, advocacy and engagement go hand in hand and the Framework states that to take these actions, a board should do the following: • Regularly report district progress to families and the community • Build relationships with families, the community, and other district stakeholders, such as local busi28

| November 2024 | issuu.com/tasb-org

experiences to meet the needs of Texas public school students. Hopefully, this multifaceted approach will also have an impact with decision-makers, ultimately benefiting Texas schoolchildren.

What does advocacy look like?

Being an effective advocate for the district and its students can be done in a variety of ways, from in-person meetings to sharing updates on social media.

Meeting face to face — whenever possible — with state and federal legislators is beneficial, but when that isn’t an option, TASB is here to provide support through the School Board Advocacy Network, Texans for Strong Public Schools, Capitol Watch, and with the TASB Advocacy Agenda, which is created by school board members through a grassroots process that is finalized at Delegate Assembly.

Engaging and being transparent with community members is a critical part of board advocacy. The following are some options for outreach that trustees might consider: • Town hall meetings • Email updates or newsletters • Social media posts • Public meetings

It’s important to be transparent with your community, sharing your district’s challenges and needs while also highlighting what is going well, particularly regarding student achievement and successful academic programs.

Good news matters Once trustees have a plan to connect with stakeholders, they’ll want to think about what to share. Anyone who spends time in the classroom knows there are so many good things happening in schools, but often those stories don’t get told. It’s important to be transparent with your community, sharing your district’s challenges and needs while also highlighting what is going well, particularly regarding student achievement and successful academic programs.

While every board member may have a different approach to advocacy, each one has a responsibility to advocate on behalf of the district and its students. How that is done, how often, and to what level of involvement will depend on each trustee’s comfort level and time commitment. But at the end of the day, advocating becomes easier to do when you stay focused on the “why,” and the future of Texas students should always be that why.H Robert Long III is the division director of Board Development Services and the program manager for Leadership TASB.

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With a team of search consultants who know Texas and its diverse school districts, ESS has proven itself to be the go-to search firm for leadership recruiting.

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• tasb.org/ess • executive.search@tasb.org • 800-580-8272 issuu.com/tasb-org | November 2024 |

29

District Voices

The Pride of Panhandle ISD Student success is measured in many ways

by John Sherrill

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equally hard in the classroom, where the district has earned an A rating through statewide accountability.

Look even closer and you will see another program that has really progressed in recent years; one that also has the ability to steal the show. Come to Panhandle, Texas, on a Friday night in the fall and you will witness the high-flying offense as well as another team effort that also continues to achieve and entertain. The Pride of Panhandle, or “Pride” for short, is directed by John Bratton who, along with a bevy of parents, student leadership, and

Photos courtesy Mika Sloan, Panhandle ISD

t Panhandle ISD, it would be easy to throw accolades to Coach Dane Ashley’s varsity football team, which racked up 643 total points, including 93 points in a playoff football game, in the 2023-24 campaign and is now 6-0 this season. Similarly, we could recognize Coach Corby Maurer’s program that has produced defending team state champions in girls’ track.

But here at Panhandle ISD, a district of about 630 students located in a town of the same name, the accolades don’t stop there. The faculty and students work

an assistant director, has built this outstanding band program into a mainstay at the state level.

Sometimes in our small schools, we adopt an either/or approach to band and athletics. At our district, Bratton strives to develop our students as musicians. His efforts to work with coaches and other extracurricular sponsors to cultivate a climate where all are welcome has paid big dividends.

“Panhandle is a place where a student can be successful in many things. They can elevate who they are as a person by participating in a wide spectrum of events,” Bratton recently told me.

Panhandle’s Pride earned a plaque for their third-place finish at the University Interscholastic League State Marching Contest last year. As Bratton continues to retool for this year, the band program is as promising as ever. There is excitement and anticipation for these talented students. And more students are seeking out Bratton’s program to develop or sharpen their skills.

“The Pride of Panhandle Marching Band has a long history of success and excellence,” said Jeromy Adair, the district’s school board president. “Under Mr. Bratton’s leadership in just the past

The Pride of Panhandle (ISD) performs at a district football game.

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| November 2024 | issuu.com/tasb-org

John Bratton, Panhandle ISD's band director, led the Panthers to a bronze award in a 2023 UIL state competition.

two years, that success has gone to record heights through his unwavering dedication to each and every student that joins his program.”

The hard work is paying off: The Pride earned a “Superior Rating” at a

UIL Regional Marching Contest on Oct. 19, and it will compete in the UIL Area Marching Band Contest in Abilene in early November.

Bratton, a humble servant leader, would be quick to give credit to the foundation that was laid before his tenure with the Panthers. Sit with him and you may hear stories of the glory days when Gerald Smith, a musical mainstay, led a band from about 30 to more than 100 students back in the 1950s through 1980s.

More recently, Kyle McDonald and Jason Jones reclaimed some of that magic as the band pivoted towards what it is today.

Bratton sees the value in every instrument. However, he will be the first to tell you that it is about the musicians and their growth. Like many band directors, he can hear the parts as well as the sum of the whole. Bratton builds bridges with his staff, volunteers, and students to remedy when a sour note occurs.

However, under his leadership, I can tell you there is a harmony that wasn’t present before. He maintains a collaborative relationship with his colleagues and a vision of the band’s grandeur as it pursues new heights. His collaborative

spirit, creative vision, and strong relationship-building skills are certainly something to brag about.

Parents and other community members have really bought into Bratton’s vision for the band. In 2023, the community of Panhandle, which is about 25 miles east of Amarillo, passed a bond focused on the expected progression of our band, amongst other things. With 65% of our community supporting the band’s growth efforts, it is clear that Panhandle has pride in the Pride and desires to see them flourish and ascend to new heights. Under Bratton’s leadership, they are poised to do just that.

Joining Bratton this school year is Patrick Lucas, who comes from West Texas A&M, a program steeped in musical accolades. Panhandle ISD is a place where our leadership and staff have purpose and passion, and this has really resonated as Bratton has grown the Pride into a perennial state competition contender.H John Sherrill is superintendent of Panhandle ISD. Sherrill is in his first years as superintendent of the Panthers and Pantherettes.

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Contact us at tasb.org/facility-team. issuu.com/tasb-org | November 2024 |

31

News & Events

Superintendent Honored Bellville ISD leader wins 2024 SOTY Award

by Sylvia Wood

Doing whatever it takes Phillips said this year’s recipient was notable for bringing both joy and enthu32

siasm to her work, including a willingness to jump in to do whatever it takes to support her students, including stepping into the classroom as needed.

“We are so pleased to honor Nicole Poenitzsch with this award, which the entire committee agreed was welldeserved based on her dedication on behalf of all of Bellville’s students,” Phillips said. “She not only sees education as a means of opportunity for children, but she also is clearly very proud to be a Texas public educator.”

Sponsored by TASB and underwritten

by Balfour, the SOTY program has recognized exemplary superintendents for excellence and achievement in educational leadership since 1984.

Photo by TASB Media Services

N

icole Poenitzsch of Bellville ISD was named Superintendent of the Year by TASB during a special presentation at txEDCON24.

The award, which spotlights outstanding education leaders from across Texas, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Poenitzsch, whose district is in Region 6 ESC, was selected for the prestigious award from a group of five state finalists that included Gonzalo Salazar, Los Fresnos CISD, Region 1; Brad Owen, Burkburnett ISD, Region 9; Kimberley Cantu, Mansfield ISD, Region 11; and Darryl Henson, Marlin ISD, Region 12.

In selecting Poenitzsch as this year’s winner, the 11-member committee cited her servant leadership, commitment to ensuring opportunities for all of her students, and collaborative approach to problem-solving.

“Every year, the candidates for Superintendent of the Year are so accomplished and an inspiration to those of us who serve our public schools across the state,” said Nick Phillips, chair of the Member Services Committee, a TASB director, and a trustee from Nederland ISD. “The committee was so impressed with the level of dedication and service these leaders have consistently given to their districts and communities. As board members, we know the ongoing challenges they face in leading their districts and the hard work it takes to ensure all students are able to achieve at the highest levels. We commend the candidates for their outstanding efforts in support of their districts and students.”

Candidates are chosen for their strong leadership skills, dedication to improving educational quality, ability to build effective employee relations, student performance, and commitment to public involvement in education. The district of the SOTY winner receives a $5,000 check, and the superintendent is given a custom ring. The districts of each of the finalists receive $1,000, also given by Balfour.

Poenitzsch has served as the superintendent of Bellville ISD since 2019. The district spans 385 square miles and enrolls about 2,300 students in Austin County between Brenham and Sealy west of the greater Houston metropolitan area.

She has worked in public education since 2005, starting her career as a teacher and coach before advancing into administrative leadership positions and earning her superintendent certification in 2012.

She earned her doctorate of education from Texas A&M University, a master of education from University of HoustonVictoria, and a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University. Prior to joining Bellville ISD in 2019 as superintendent, Poenitzsch served as an assistant superintendent of Learning & Innovation in Dripping Springs ISD. In her remarks before an audience of hundreds at txEDCON24 on Sept.

28, Poenitzsch thanked her family and Bellville ISD team, including her board of

Bellville ISD Superintendent Nicole Poenitzsch talks about how public education “is a means for opportunity” for students across Texas as she accepts the 2024 SOTY award during a special A presentation at txEDCON24 in San Antonio.

| November 2024 | issuu.com/tasb-org

trustees, which she commended for their commitment to the district’s students.

She also described her guiding belief about the power of public education.

“I believe that every child has beautiful potential within them,” she told the crowd. “I believe that public education is a means for opportunity, and I believe that it's our job to create conditions to help our kids figure out those unique gifts that they have, help them discover it and develop it so they can be fulfilled individuals, compassionate citizens, compelled to positively contribute to the world around us.”

SOTY selection process The SOTY selection is the culmination of a nine-month process that begins in January when school boards across the state start to prepare their superintendent nomination, which must be approved by resolution. Recommended superintendents are then interviewed by regional selection committees from each Texas education service center, which announce their regional finalist in June.

Each ESC regional finalist is then brought forward for interviews by the

state selection committee, which narrows the pool to five state finalists announced in August. Announcing the SOTY winner is a highlight of txEDCON, held each year in the fall to promote excellence in Texas public education.

“As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of this award, it is a great reminder of the level of dedication and service school leaders have shown over the decades, and that unwavering dedication continues, as we can see from these outstanding candidates,” said TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell. “We at TASB are honored to recognize the outstanding leaders serving our public school students, with this award putting a spotlight on the dynamic relationship that exists between school boards and superintendents — relationships that are critical to achieving excellent outcomes in both district governance and student academic achievement.”

This year’s 13 regional superintendents of the year, in order of ESC, are: • Region 2: Michelle Cavazos, Gregory-Portland ISD • Region 3: Bill Chapman*, Palacios ISD

• Region 4: John Moore, Galena Park ISD • Region 5: Mike Kelly, Bridge City ISD • Region 7: Carnelius Gilder, West Sabine ISD • Region 8: Sarah Dildine, Hughes Springs ISD • Region 10: Justin Terry, Forney ISD • Region 13: Steven Snell, Liberty Hill ISD • Region 15: Joe Young, Brownwood ISD • Region 16: Wade Callaway, Gruver ISD • Region 18: Brent Jaco, Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD • Region 19: Oscar Troncoso, B Anthony ISD • Region 20: Eduardo Hernandez, Edgewood ISD-Bexar County *Nominated by Palacios ISD but now serving in London ISD.H Sylvia Wood is a staff writer for Texas Lone Star.

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issuu.com/tasb-org | November 2024 |

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S I H T F O T U O D L R WO Tomball ISD kicked off txEDCON24 with an out-of-thisworld performance that electrified Texas public school leaders who gathered in San Antonio for their annual convention.

Sponsored by TASB and the Texas Association of School Administrators, the Sept. 27-29 convention attracted thousands of school board members, superintendents, and other education leaders from across Texas who filled the Henry B. González Convention Center.

The Tomball ISD students’ space-themed performance highlighted the innovative programs at the district of more than 20,000 students outside of Houston. Students served as the masters of ceremony as choirs, bands, orchestras, and dance groups from various campuses delighted the crowd with their talents. The inspiration that school leaders gained during the opening stellar performance followed them throughout convention activities.

“You can’t be around the people who are in this room and not leave with hope and encouragement of the amazing people that are doing great things to serve our kids in Texas public schools,” Bellville ISD Superintendent Nicole Poenitzsch said later in the closing general session, where she was named 2024 Superintendent of the Year.

Between general sessions, thousands of school leaders joined informative breakout sessions, networked, and attended other events that focused on the many efforts to provide an excellent education to the state’s 5.5 million schoolchildren.

“Education is the great equalizer,” said José Hernández, a NASA astronaut who was the first keynote speaker. “I love to say that I’m the product of public education. Regardless of what socioeconomic background you come from, if you’re able to take advantage of getting a good education, then you can even go out of this world.”

Other general session speakers included bestselling author John Maxwell and Nancy Giordano, an Austin-based strategic futurist.

United teams of eight Many teams of eight attended convention wearing their district colors as a symbol of unity. The Lockney ISD leadership team members like to take that tradition a step further by having specialized shirts made for the event. This year, they wore red-and-black plaid shirts emblazoned with large images of Longhorn steers.

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t xE D CO FO R T N 24 A I M S HE S T ARS b y TASB

s t af f

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Their shirts shouted fun, but Lockney ISD school leaders were there to learn about ways to support their Texas Panhandle district of about 430 students.

“We get to see what other districts are doing,” said Lockney Superintendent Jim Baum. Trustee Mike Lass quickly added, “And they get to see what we’re doing.”

Lass also said he found the convention atmosphere more open and relaxed this year.

“People are talking, feeling good,” Lass said.

Informative breakout sessions Districts small and large attended txEDCON24, considered to be the largest assembly of state public education decisionmakers, for the unique opportunity to connect, network, and learn new ways to improve student success. In addition to convention activities, TASB held its Delegate Assembly, the annual membership meeting where delegates vote on the Advocacy Agenda and take care of Association business.

Many of the breakout sessions were standing room only — and several even had a line of people out of the door, with some

craning their necks to listen to the speakers inside. Attendees also gathered in small groups between sessions to discuss what they learned and what sessions they planned to attend next.

Smaller districts of fewer than 1,000 students attended txEDCON24 in force, packing the Small School District Seminar Friday morning.

Shannon Leavitt from Wildorado ISD, a district of just under 200 students west of Amarillo, has served on his board for 30 years. “It feels like we are doing everything just to maintain,” he said. “I’m here today to figure out how we can do more.”

Wallace Bridges, a Fort Worth ISD trustee who was elected in 2022 and was attending his second txEDCON, said that while the sessions are always filled with great information, it’s often what he called the “sidebar conversations” that are extremely helpful.

“Sometimes sitting around and talking with the other trustees about their life experience and some of the things that they’re dealing with, that is the best knowledge that I wind up getting,” Bridges said. “I just happened to sit next to somebody, and we just instantly connected, and the answers she gave me were just perfect.”

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Special honors In addition to Poenitzsch being named the SOTY winner, Donna ISD was selected as the 2024 Outstanding School Board, the top honor in TASA’s awards program. And La Porte ISD Superintendent Walter Jackson was officially presented with the Texas School Public Relations Association’s 2024 Key Communicator Award in another ceremony.

Tomball ISD’s performance at the kickoff general session also honored Superintendent Martha Salazar-Zamora, who was the 2023 SOTY winner and is president of TASA’s executive committee. Canutillo ISD students honored outgoing TASB President Armando Rodriguez with a performance at the Saturday general session. In both English and Spanish, students from El Paso area school districts performed in Mariachi style and Ballet Folklorico with outstanding performances.

Gale Carr, Fort Hancock ISD board president, watched the student performance by Canutillo, El Paso, Fabens, Socorro, and Ysleta ISDs with pride. His district of some 480 students also is located near the Texas-Mexico border in far West Texas.

“Those districts (generally) are our rivals. But today, they did a really good job. I was proud of the collaboration. I really enjoyed it,” said Carr, who not only is board president, but he also attended Fort Hancock ISD — so did his grown children.

Carr felt the same about the overall convention, which he has been attending for more than a dozen years. He appreciates being able to get some of the required board training accomplished and finds the atmosphere inspiring.

“As a board member, you are there to take care of the kids,” Carr said. “Making decisions is easier when you put the kids first.”H A: Convention attendees check-in at registration booths at the Henry B. González Convention Center.

B: The closing session’s performance featured students from Canutillo, El Paso, Fabens, Socorro, and Ysleta ISDs.

C: Tomball ISD students wow the crowd at the first general session with a space-themed performance highlighting the district’s innovative programs.

D: Margaret Pruett, a Victoria ISD trustee and a TASB Director, enjoys one of the many breakout sessions at txEDCON24.

D

E: TASB President Rolinda Schmidt, TASB Immediate Past President Armando Rodriguez, and Tomball ISD Superintendent Martha Salazar-Zamora enjoy Canutillo ISD students honoring Rodriguez with a performance at the Saturday general session with students from other El Paso area school districts.

F: Katherine Sells, a Lewisville ISD trustee, poses a question at TASB’s Delegate Assembly, the Association’s annual business meeting for members.

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G: Cedar Hill ISD trustees pose with new baseball caps promoting public education that were give-away gifts at txEDCON24.

Photos by TASB Media Services

issuu.com/tasb-org | November 2024 |

35

News & Events

Governance Camp 2025 Students are key part of unique learning event Texas school board members, other school leaders, and students should start planning now to attend TASB’s Governance Camp: Powered by Student Voice, March 5-8, 2025, at the Galveston Island Convention Center.

Camp, a premier training event offered by TASB, features keynote speakers, a range of concurrent sessions, and networking opportunities that provide trustees with the knowledge and skills they need to lead and serve their districts. The Student Voice element is a central focus of the conference on Friday, and there are other opportunities for students to participate in Camp. At the 2025 Camp, a new Teachers Voice panel is being added.

“There are several things that make Camp a special experience. Attendees can enjoy a smaller setting where they have valuable one-on-one time with other school leaders from across the state, session presenters, students, and TASB staff,” said Jackie Clark Spencer, division director of TASB Events.

“Attendees also have the important opportunity to gain a better understanding of students’ educational experiences by hearing from them directly.”

MARCH 5-8, 2025 GALVESTON ISLAND CONVENTION CENTER

BE PART OF CAMP!

There are several ways to attend and participate in Camp:

OPPORTUNITIES OPEN OCT. 1

• Attend Camp activities. Registration and housing for Submit your session proposals, Student Voice scholarship board members, superintendents, and administrators and student demonstration proposals openapplications, Jan. 14, 2025. starting Oct. 1 at tasb.org/gov-camp.

• Submit a proposal for a session focused on leadership or Registration governance. Share the greatWE’LL things your district SEE YOUand/ opens Jan. 14.

AT CAMP!

Get Prepared for ARD Committee Success Your ARD Committee plays a vital role in the success of students with disabilities. Join TASB Student Solutions for an in-depth webinar covering ARD Committee requirements before, during, and after the meeting. Equip your team with the knowledge they need to better support both staff and students.

Nov. 14 | 10 a.m. | Online Register online at https://bit.ly/ardcommitteewebinar.

tasb.org/student-solutions/membership studentsolutions@tasb.org 36

| November 2024 | issuu.com/tasb-org

or board are doing. Submissions for district sessions opened Oct. 1 and close Jan. 10, 2025, at 5 p.m.

• Submit a student scholarship application. Texas high school seniors in public schools can apply for one of five $1,500 scholarships available. Winners serve on a panel at Camp. Submissions for scholarship applications opened Oct. 1 and close Jan. 10, 2025, at 5 p.m.

• Participate in student voice activities. Encourage your students to lead sessions or demonstrations. Submissions for student sessions/exhibits opened Oct. 1 and close Jan. 10, 2025, at 5 p.m.

• Send additional students. Districts may send up to 10 high school students and two chaperones to student voice activities. There is limited availability for this option. Email nicole.green@tasb.org for more information.

“It’s been about four or five years that I’ve been coming to TASB’s Gov. Camp, and it gets better every single year,” said Elmer Avellaneda, superintendent at Gonzales ISD. “And to be honest, I come for the students. I want to hear what they have to say, and I want to hear what’s working in other districts for superintendents and school boards alike.”

Marc Puig, superintendent at Robstown ISD, also appreciates the Student Voice aspect of the event as well as the opportunities to learn.

“Every time we come here, we gain some new understanding that we can take back to our district to make us that much better for our kids,” Puig said.

Camp’s sponsors are Claycomb Associates, Architects; E3; and Walsh Gallegos Kyle Robinson & Roalson P.C. For more information about Camp, visit tasb.org/ gov-camp.H

“Education is the movement from darkness to light.”

—Allan Bloom

Achieve optimal staffing efficiency and effectiveness

An HR Services Staffing Review examines staffing practices within the context of the district priorities and provides a road map for decision-makers.

Areas reviewed include: • Administrators • Professional support • Classroom teachers • Educational aides • Clerical support

• Athletics • Special education • Operations and facilities • Student nutrition

hrservices@tasb.org 800-580-7782

issuu.com/tasb-org | November 2024 |

37

News & Events

Advocacy Conference TASB to host trustees at federal event in 2025

by Matt Mitchell

Roza, director of the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University. Roza, who has more than two decades of experience in education finance and public policy, will discuss the financial forecast for school districts’ budgets.

Other expert panel discussions will center on artificial intelligence, social media, and cell phone use and its impact on student learning. There also will be an update on what public school leaders might expect under the new presidential administration.

Additional conference speakers will include experts on federal education policy.

This will be the third year TASB has hosted the Texas Federal Advocacy Conference. The 2024 conference attracted 66 school leaders from across the state.

Texas public school advocates who

would like to attend the conference can register at tasb.org by navigating to the “Training & Events” tab and searching for “Texas Federal Advocacy Conference.”

There are event details and information about housing, including special discounted room rates for attendees.

Select qualifying applicants will be eligible for a stipend that will cover registration fees. Only one applicant per member school board will be eligible, with a goal of awarding a stipend to one trustee from each congressional district.

Stipend details, including the application form, can be found on the conference event page.H Matt Mitchell is a staff writer for Texas Lone Star.

Photo by Beth Griesmer

The Texas Federal Advocacy Conference will return to the nation’s capital for the 2025 edition.

TASB will host Texas school board members Jan. 27-28, 2025, in Washington, D.C., for this annual advocacy event.

Trustees from across the state will engage in meaningful discussions with speakers about support at the federal level for public schools and students.

Attendees will convene at the Willard InterContinental Hotel for the first day of the conference before heading to the U.S. Capitol on the second day to meet with congressional members and their staffs to discuss federal education policy. Trustees attending the conference will earn up to seven hours of continuing education credit.

Among the confirmed speakers for the 2025 conference is Marguerite

During a session at the 2024 Texas Federal Advocacy Conference, Mary Jane Hetrick, TASB First Vice President and a Dripping Springs ISD trustee, asks a question.

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Trustees Honored

Donna ISD named 2024 Texas Outstanding School Board

Photo courtesy of Donna ISD

board, Superintendent Angela DominThis is the first time in the award proThe Texas Association of School Administrators has named the Donna ISD guez said, “Donna ISD board members see gram’s history that the Donna ISD school their role as an act of service and advocacy. board has received the Outstanding Board Board of Trustees the 2024 Outstanding We are incredibly fortunate to have seven award or been chosen as a finalist.

School Board, the top honor in the TASA trustees who are relentless in their efforts The other four finalists are BurkburSchool Board Awards program. to do what is best for students. There is nett ISD, Region 9; Corpus Christi ISD, The TASA board awards program no doubt that our board members believe Region 2; Grand Prairie ISD, Region 10; has honored Texas school boards that in the mission of Donna ISD, and they are and Klein ISD, Region 4. have demonstrated commitment to their fully invested in our number one outcome The 2024 Regional Honor Boards students and to their communities since of graduating all students per their semifinalists are Bellville ISD, Region 6; 1971. The Donna ISD school board was expected graduation date ready for Como-Pickton CISD, Region 8; Liberty chosen from among five finalists intercollege, career, or the military. They Hill ISD, Region 13; Mansfield ISD, Region viewed by a committee of Texas school routinely engage with students, staff, 11; Marion ISD, Region 20; Marshall ISD, administrators. and community in positive ways.”

Region 7; Nederland ISD, Region 5; RicarThe selection committee was Donna ISD serves about 13,000 do ISD, Region 2 (small district category); impressed by how the board has come students in Donna, Texas, in Region 1 and Wellington ISD, Region 16. together to earn their community’s trust ESC in the Rio Grande Valley. The district The program is sponsored this year and by its ability to maximize the opporby Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit tunities that will make the greatest impact has about 2,300 employees and two high schools, four middle schools, and 13 Union.H on student outcomes. It commended elementary schools.

Donna ISD board members for “knowing their goals and knowing their data,” and for aligning their budget and the allocation of resources with their shared vision.

“They are clearly focused, and as a result, they have seen amazing student outcomes,” the committee said in a news release announcing the award, which was presented Sept. 27 at txEDCON24 in San Antonio.

Additionally, the board’s goal of getting students college-and-career ready is obvious, but that “their realization that it starts with early education as a building block to a strong foundation” is what will make their success sustainable over time, the committee said.

Donna ISD was named TASA’s 2024 Outstanding School Board at txEDCON24. Front row from left: Trustees MarIn her nominaicela Valdez, Ida M. Garcia, and Eva Castillo Watts. Back row from left: Jose R. Reyna, board vice president; Eloy Avila, tion of the Donna ISD trustee; Angela Dominguez, superintendent; Fernando Castillo, board president; and Jose L. Valdez, trustee. issuu.com/tasb-org | November 2024 |

39

Bulletin Board

TASB’s Executive Search Services is currently accepting applications for the positions listed below:

Purple Star Campus Designations Awarded to 541 Texas Schools

G

ov. Greg Abbott has announced that 541 Texas public schools have been awarded the Purple Star Campus Designation for the 2024-25 school year. The designations mark a 202% increase from last year, reflecting Texas public schools’ unwavering dedication to support the nearly 200,000 military-connected students and their families across Texas.

“Texas is forever grateful for the selfless sacrifice our brave veterans and their families made in service to our state and our nation,” Abbott said. “We will always support our heroes, including the hundreds of thousands of military-connected students attending our public schools across Texas, and this impressive 202% increase in designations demonstrates just that.”

In 2019, Abbott signed Senate Bill 1557 into law, establishing the Purple Star Campus Designation, which is awarded to schools that demonstrate a significant commitment to providing comprehensive support for students from military families. These campuses must meet rigorous criteria, including establishing a campus-based military liaison, creating a dedicated webpage with resources for military-connected families, instituting a campus transition program for militaryconnected students, and supporting a military family assistance initiative.

All Texas public school campuses are eligible to receive a Purple Star Designation, regardless of the size of the military-connected student population.

Applications are accepted annually, with the designation lasting two years.

“The significant growth in Purple Star Campus Designations reflects the exceptional efforts of Texas schools to create a supportive environment for militaryconnected students,” said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. “Our military families sacrifice so much, and it’s essential that our schools support their children in every way possible to ensure they have the best educational experience while in Texas public schools.”

To view the list of 2024-25 Purple Star Campus designees, visit tea.texas.gov.

Search for Purple Star Campus, click on the Purple Star Campus Designation link, and find the 2024-25 list under “New Awardees.”

▄ Anna ISD: Superintendent Deadline: TBD

▄ Copperas Cove ISD: Superintendent Deadline: November 7 ▄ Ector County ISD: Superintendent Deadline: TBD ▄ Grandfalls-Royalty ISD: Superintendent Deadline: November 6 For information about vacancies or services provided by TASB’s Executive Search Services, call 800-580-8272, email executive.search@tasb.org.

School Board Recognition Month Is January 2025!

I

t’s time to start planning for next year’s School Board Recognition Month in January 2025. TASB’s planning kit for this important campaign will include social media graphics, certificates, a sample news release, and more to help districts with their board appreciation efforts. Get details on the 2025 theme and access the planning kit at tasb.org/ sbrm.

Photo courtesy of Big Spring ISD

gnize school We want to reco ’ extraordinary board members work in TLS!

Big Spring ISD students honored their trustees during this year’s School Board Recognition Month.

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| November 2024 | issuu.com/tasb-org

If you have rece ived any awards or hono rs, please send your news and photos to tls@tasb.org .

Board Members:

MAP YOUR JOURNEY TO SUCCESS TASB supports trustees at every point along the board leadership journey, offering training and programs to excel at board governance.

Foundational Training Find on-demand courses for new trustees, including the Top 10 Things to Know bundle of essential courses, in the Online Learning Center.

New Trustees

onlinelearning.tasb.org Texas Trustee Institute TTI offers a comprehensive program to build skills, dive into governance, and develop a leadership network.

ENGAGE Experienced Trustees

Key offerings: Texas Open Meetings Act, Board Governance, Consensus Building.

Coming soon!

EXPAND Master Trustees Leadership TASB For experienced trustees, meet with innovative districts and leaders, while learning what makes them successful. LTASB’s one-of-a-kind experience will expand your view of education leadership.

Learn more! leadershiptasb@tasb.org

Whole Board Training Need support with your superintendent evaluation process? Board Development Services’ consultants are here to help! Get training tailored to your district’s needs.

Board Officer Institute For veteran trustees and board officers, BOI imparts knowledge and tools for effective and efficient meetings.

Key offerings: Important Tools for Meeting Preparation, Effective Meetings, Focused and Productive Board Discussions.

Coming soon!

EXPLORE

Continuing Education With the Online Learning Center, you can find courses to support your board service, including: Preparing for Superintendent Evaluation, Board Officers Forum, and Advocacy 101 and 201. onlinelearning.tasb.org

board.dev@tasb.org

For additional information on any of these offerings: 800-580-8272, ext. 2453 • board.dev@tasb.org onlinelearning.tasb.org issuu.com/tasb-org | November 2024 |

41

A Final Note

Speaking up for Students There are many ways to advocate for public ed

by Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield

I

Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield

f you’ve had a chance to read the Good Governance column on page 28 of this issue, it does a great job of making the case for public education advocacy as a core responsibility for elected Texas school board trustees.

We all know it’s important to learn how to swim, but that may not mean we’re all ready to dive in. The analogy works for advocacy, too. That’s one of the reasons TASB is developing a program to help school board members strengthen their capacity for advocacy, whether it’s dipping their toes in the water for the first time (like joining the School Board Advocacy Network), jumping into the deep end (such as taking part in the TASB Advocacy Agenda process), or joining the swim team (like visiting lawmakers or serving as a delegate to TASB’s Delegate Assembly to ensure your district’s voice is heard).

Our Community Advocacy Program is being designed to help trustees on their advocacy journey, no matter what level they are starting at. I want to thank TASB Immediate Past President Armando Rodriguez, Canutillo ISD’s board president, for providing the leadership and vision for us to tackle this project, which will unfold in two parts.

An advocacy toolkit for members The first is a printed toolkit slated to be available for our members ahead of the 89th legislative session, which begins Jan. 14, 2025. It will be filled with tips, strategies, and best practices for trustees to increase their advocacy confidence and encourage parents and other community members to join them.

We will then create online modules, including activities and plug-and-play 42

templates that can help school boards and district leaders identify key influencers in their communities, develop talking points to highlight district successes and challenges, and create their own legislative priority list to share with lawmakers.

What we want to avoid is making advocacy feel like another complicated task on a trustee’s long to-do list. In fact, we’re creating seven easy steps for community advocacy that trustees can start in any order, at any time.

We especially want to convey that advocacy is a journey, not a destination, and that any steps taken by school boards to increase capacity will go a long way to making a difference for public education as a whole in Texas.

And there’s a lot of potential. In a survey that we conducted in September among school board presidents and superintendents, more than 70% of respondents said their districts do not create their own legislative agenda or priority list.

Developing a priority list Consider the impact of every school board in Texas taking the time to develop a priority list that reflects the unique needs of their students and communities and then sharing that with legislators.

The toolkit offers a step-by-step guide to selecting those three-to-five priority items, as well as offering other strategies to bring attention to the issues most important to your district. In addition, the process your district uses to develop that list will help set the stage to build buy-in and engagement for your district’s overall advocacy work. That’s a win-win.

As noted in the toolkit, “When you get more people on the same page, amplifying

| November 2024 | issuu.com/tasb-org

the same message, that’s where there’s the most potential to positively influence the laws and policies that shape Texas public education.”

We also recognize that school boards want to do what is right according to Texas law and no district would purposely cross the line from advocacy into electioneering, which is prohibited under Texas law. The toolkit offers tips designed to keep school board members operating within the limits of what’s legally advisable, keeping in mind that we’re all just trying to improve outcomes for our students and communities.

We’re putting the final touches on the toolkit before sharing it with our members.

This will mark our fourth toolkit publication over the past three years and the second this year. Our goal with these publications is the same: Provide Texas trustees with information that can help strengthen local governance, equipping them and the school leaders in their district with the tips and strategies needed for success in an increasingly challenging environment.

It was the great American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson who is credited with saying, “It’s not the destination; it’s the journey.” Truer words could not be said for advocacy, where the goal isn’t to do everything perfectly, but to take a few steps in the right direction.

As we prepare for the next legislative session, let’s take this advocacy journey together, letting our commitment to public education be our guiding star.H Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield is deputy executive director of TASB.

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issuu.com/tasb-org | November 2024 |

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NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID AUSTIN TEXAS PERMIT NO 1422

Texas Association of School Boards P.O. Box 400 Austin, Texas 78767-0400

MARCH 5-8, 2025

GALVESTON ISLAND CONVENTION CENTER

BOARD AND DISTRICT STAFF APPLY TO PRESENT! TEXAS STUDENTS, SHOWCASE YOUR LEADERSHIP AND CREATIVITY! APPLY FOR THE FOLLOWING: • $1,500 SCHOLARSHIP

• LEAD A DEMONSTRATION

• PRESENT A SESSION

• ATTEND WITH YOUR DISTRICT

SESSION SUBMISSIONS AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN UNTIL JAN. 10 AT 5 P.M. VISIT TASB.ORG/GOV-CAMP FOR MORE INFORMATION.