TASB 75th Anniversary book

A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

A FUTURE OF POSSIBILITY

Celebrating 75 years | 1949-2024

A Legacy of Excellence, A Future of Possibility

Copyright© 2024. Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction, adaptation, distribution, or exhibition in whole or in part is prohibited under penalty of law without TASB’s written permission. For permission, email request to communications@tasb.org

Texas Association of School Boards 12007 Research Blvd. • Austin, Texas 78759-2429

P.O. Box 400 • Austin, Texas 78767-400 800-580-8272 • tasb.org • tasb@tasb.org

Published November 2024

Dedication

This book is dedicated, with deep gratitude, to Texas public school board members. Across the state, these trusted volunteers devote long, unpaid hours to expertly serving their districts and students. Their mission to provide the best education possible to students is a sacred task of monumental importance to our children, our communities, and to the future of this great state.

Thousands of Texans serve on school boards, dedicating countless hours to overseeing budgets, programs, and proposals; listening to parents, teachers, and other community members; and advocating on behalf of their districts to local and state leaders, among many other responsibilities.

I know how much time each of you dedicates to this vital role. I have been a member of the Kerrville ISD Board of Trustees for 28 years. That’s a long time, and yet, I feel I have even more enthusiasm and passion for this work than I did when I first started.

I’m certain you feel the same way. School board service is exhausting and energizing. But there are no words to adequately convey the great sense of wonder and satisfaction we feel when we are serving our students. It’s what keeps us going through the long hours and the missed time with family and friends. But watching our students achieve on so many levels fills our hearts and strengthens our commitment to excellence in education.

The leadership and staff at TASB are grateful for your tremendous service to public education in Texas. We are here to help you on this important mission.

I also want to acknowledge those school board members who have volunteered their time and expertise to serve TASB, our association. I feel especially privileged to be able to add my name to the long list of TASB presidents and recognize what an honor it is to be part of the history of this amazing organization. To all directors who have come before me and to those who will serve in the future to further TASB’s legacy of commitment to Texas school boards and their districts, thank you.

Sincerely,

Rolinda Schmidt

TASB President 2024-25 and Kerrville ISD Trustee

Introduction

When Ray K. Daily took office in 1949 as the first president of a brand-new organization, the Texas Association of School Boards, she vowed that every activity of TASB would be aimed at the task of helping school board members do a better job for the children in their communities.

After 75 years, that mission has stayed the same. Even as TASB has grown and expanded its services and solutions, the organization has not veered from that simple, but important, vow made long ago.

Now, as we commemorate this milestone anniversary, it seems fitting that we pay tribute to the thousands of public servants who have served on their local school boards over the years, helping ensure that the children in their communities receive a quality education. And it is worth taking a moment to document how TASB has partnered with its member school boards to assist in that work.

This book was created and designed to not only record the past but to help remind us of TASB’s relevant and vital role supporting excellent student outcomes through strong local governance and public education advocacy. To tackle this project, we enlisted the expertise of our talented writing team in the communications department, which worked diligently to explore the successes and challenges that have helped shape TASB over the years.

One of the inherent challenges of this work was deciding how to tell that story. In many respects, the history of TASB is also the history of public education in Texas. Programs and services developed over the years have always been in response to needs and challenges faced by our members. Over time, many specialized services have been added to complement the Association’s core offerings, such as legal and policy assistance, which continue to be at the heart of the TASB mission.

Early in the planning for this history project, the team decided to use a thematic, rather than chronological, approach to the content. They also ensured members’ voices were woven throughout the book. It was certainly a big help to have TASB’s first history book, published in 1989, as a reference. The team also reached out to past presidents and interviewed retired and influential TASB leaders, including my predecessor, James B. Crow, who has the unique distinction of being the longest-serving executive director in TASB history (19952021). History gets written as we live it, and we are especially grateful to Jim’s long list of contributions to the TASB story.

This book cannot claim to capture every significant event in the past 75 years of TASB history. But as you will see in the pages that follow, it lays out the pivotal moments in time that have helped define the Association as the premier school board member organization in Texas and a leader across the nation.

What has been clear to me from the beginning of the project, and from the start of my tenure in 2021, as only the ninth executive director of this association, is that TASB owes its legacy of excellence to the long list of servant-minded leaders who have prioritized public education as a catalyst for positive change in the

lives of students, communities, and the entire Lone Star State. We are where we are today because of that enduring belief that public education makes Texas a stronger, more vibrant place to work, raise our families, and pursue the dream of a better tomorrow.

On behalf of TASB, I hope you enjoy A Legacy of Excellence, A Future of Possibility. There is nothing more gratifying than to be able to honor TASB’s 75th anniversary by showcasing our history in this special publication. As you flip through the pages and enjoy photos of the past, rest assured that although the future is not written yet, we are working hard to guarantee that the next chapters of our journey will continue to make us proud.

Best wishes,

Dan Troxell TASB Executive Director

Celebrating 75 years | 1949-2024

A Legacy of Service

San Augustine County schoolchildren during the Depression era. (Library of Congress photo archive)

A classroom in the early 1950s, Laredo ISD. (TASB archives)

A Legacy of Service

TASB’s 75-year history shows steadfast commitment to students

In 1949, Texas lawmakers were facing a phenomenal challenge. In the burgeoning postwar years, public schools were bursting at the seams. Facilities were inadequate and teachers were in short supply. School systems could not meet the demands without increased funding and a framework for support.

Something had to be done.

“Proposals for improving education in Texas must be based upon the needs of the state,” said a committee of leaders that had been tasked with finding solutions. “Personalities, petty quarrels, local self-interest, political alignments, selfishness — these must be forgotten by any group entrusted with designing a better education for Texans.”

That message, which still resonates today, was one of many that helped pass the Gilmer-Aikin laws, designed to usher in the framework for a modern public education system in Texas. The landmark legislation also laid the foundation later that year for the establishment of the Texas Association of School Boards.

In the 75 years since that pivotal moment, much has changed, for both the Lone Star State and TASB. Through it all, however, the Association has persistently focused on its purpose: to strengthen public education in Texas.

“ Our mission has always been to provide outstanding training and support so that the voices of our board members are amplified, and they have the opportunity to ensure that every child has a quality education. We do that through advocacy, great training on governance, and all the services we provide.”

– Dan Troxell, TASB Executive Director

“Our mission has always been to provide outstanding training and support so that the voices of our board members are amplified, and they have the opportunity to ensure that every child has a quality education,” said TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell. “We do that through advocacy, great training on governance, and all the services we provide.”

As TASB celebrates this major milestone, here’s a look at how it all came to be.

The evolution of public education in Texas

The idea that public education was a public good took hold before statehood, when the founding fathers cited the Mexican government’s failure to establish a public school system among the reasons for their call for independence.

“Unless a people are educated and enlightened,” they stated in the Texas Declaration of Independence, “it is idle to expect the continuance of civil liberty, or the capacity for self-government.”

In the fledgling Republic of Texas, leaders continued their cry for a foundation of public education — but they lacked the resources to make it happen until after statehood in 1845. In January 1854, the Texas Legislature

sold land to the U.S. government for $2 million and created the Permanent School Fund. With this, public schools took hold in the state.

Still, the ensuing decades presented constant challenges. Funding was needed for textbooks, facilities, and teachers. Coordination of the school system was difficult in a large, rural state. Issues surrounding segregation exacerbated the challenges.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, many children left school to help their parents make a living, and overall enrollment fell nationwide as the number of 5- to 13-year-olds declined.

The situation prompted the State Board of Education in Texas to conduct a three-year study on the adequacy of Texas schools, and in 1938, the findings resulted in a bold proposal to consolidate school districts throughout the state. That plan wouldn’t be implemented until the Gilmer-Aikin reforms over a decade later, when more than 6,000 districts were regrouped into 2,200 units.

TASB’s first convention, 1950. The joint annual TASA | TASB Convention would begin in 1960. (TASB archives)

Like the Great Depression, World War II had a devastating and transformational effect on education in Texas. Resources were largely directed toward war efforts and away from social programs, including schools. Dropouts became common. High school enrollments across the country decreased from 6.7 million in 1941 to 5.5 million in 1944. Many teachers and students left the classroom to enlist.

But change was imminent. During the war, more than a million military personnel came to Texas for training, and many returned to make it their home. Their overseas experience highlighted the importance of an educated populace in maintaining a strong democracy. War-related industry lured farmers and small-town residents, including women and minorities, into urban and suburban centers. With a net population growth of 33%, Texas quickly transitioned from mostly rural to increasingly urban. Also, the unprecedented postwar baby boom greatly affected school enrollment nationwide, which grew by more than 50% in the 1950s.

It was in this context that the push for reform gained momentum and resulted in the passage of the GilmerAikin laws in 1949.

A time for unification

Two years before the new laws passed, the 50th Texas Legislature created a committee to study education reform. Rep. Claud Gilmer of Rocksprings and Sen. A.M. Aikin Jr. of Paris led statewide efforts to collect information from school leaders, elected officials, the press, and civic groups about needed changes. Input from such a wide swath of community leaders across the state was invaluable.

After the laws were enacted, an implementation team under the state auditor held 32 regional meetings in summer 1949 to explain the changes to school superintendents and to notify each district of its state funding entitlement for the coming year. These regional meetings highlighted the need for more periodic meetings of

Early TASB leaders, including the 1950 Executive Committee. (TASB archives)

The Gilmer-Aikin

Laws

A Legacy of Service

The Gilmer-Aikin Committee was formed in 1947 to study what changes were needed to improve public education in Texas. The committee’s report, published the next year as To Have What We Must, contained 33 broad objectives of unprecedented reform that resulted in the drafting of three bills. Passed by the 51st Legislature in 1949, these bills became known as the Gilmer-Aikin laws — and ushered in a new era for public education in Texas.

The many changes included the following:

• More than 6,000 school districts were consolidated into 2,200 more efficient units. There are now roughly half that number after further consolidations.

• The Foundation School Program was established through a combination of local and state support, designed to guarantee a minimum standard of public education for every student.

• The funding plan was based on an economic index rather than the traditional per-capita system of distributing education funds, and funding became dependent on attendance.

• Higher teacher salaries attracted many to the state and the profession itself.

• Education specialists were hired.

• Services for minorities began to improve.

The statute also established the Texas Education Agency, to be led by an appointed commissioner of education, and changed the existing State Board of Education from an appointed body to one whose members are elected by popular vote.

school leaders and for neighboring school districts to work together in solving problems. A statewide association of school boards seemed like the perfect idea.

As it turns out, the idea actually had been planted years earlier.

In 1941, a small group of school trustees from the Gulf Coast area met with the goal of creating a statewide association. Their plans were tabled with the outbreak of World War II that year, but they kept the dream alive.

After the war, they were ready to act. In November 1946, the Houston Board of Education hosted a small group of trustees interested in forming an association. Guiding the group were Ray K. Daily, a Houston school board member and leader of women’s groups in the Gulf Coast area, and J.W. Edgar, Austin school superintendent who would later serve as the first Texas commissioner of education. Over the next few years, other interested trustees joined the discussion, and in 1949, an expanded group met in Fort Worth following the Texas State Teachers Association Convention.

Soon afterward, a committee met in Austin and consulted with The University of Texas, which offered organizational and funding assistance as well as office space on campus. The full group gathered again in November 1949, this time with about 100 trustees representing 26 districts from across the state — and TASB was born. Its purpose was clarified by Daily, the organization’s first president.

Rep. Claud Gilmer and Sen. A.M. Aikin Jr. (TASB archives)

“Every activity of the Texas Association of School Boards is aimed at the task of helping YOU do a better job for the children of your community,” she wrote in a letter to all school boards in Texas.

Texas school trustees, who served growing metropolitan cities, small towns, and isolated, rural areas, finally had a way to connect with each other and collectively forge a positive future for Texas schools. As Willie Kocurek said, after becoming TASB’s second president the next year, “School board members had no power, nor did we have a unified voice to act as an organization. Only by banding together as an association could we be effective. There would be strength in numbers.”

One mission in mind

In the last 75 years, TASB services have morphed and expanded to help school boards and the districts they serve overcome challenges and be proactive. But the organization’s core purpose has never changed.

“ Every activity of the Texas Association of School Boards is aimed at the task of helping YOU do a better job for the children of your community.”

– Ray K. Daily, First TASB President, 1949-50

“I think what has sustained us is that our members have a calling to serve their boards, their communities, and the children who are being educated in those communities. I hear that from board member after board member, and that’s what fuels my passion at TASB because we’re serving people who are serving others,” said Troxell. “Our mission — and theirs — has never wavered.”

“ Although much has changed over the last half century, our mission has remained fundamentally the same: to promote educational excellence for Texas schoolchildren through advocacy, visionary leadership, and high-quality services to school districts.”

– James B. Crow, TASB Executive Director, 1995-2021

James B. Crow, who served as executive director from 1995 to 2021, expressed the same sentiment during TASB’s 50th anniversary in 1999: “Although much has changed over the last half century, our mission has remained fundamentally the same: to promote educational excellence for Texas schoolchildren through advocacy, visionary leadership, and high-quality services to school districts.”

The theme has remained constant since the very beginning. As a founding member, Kocurek reflected on TASB’s journey in 1999: “This Association is such a great, great enterprise. It has expanded into areas of service and creative education that few would have dreamed of 50 years ago. But the mission of service is still the same. What is most pleasing to me is that the germ that was planted so long ago has grown as we’d hoped — and beyond.”

Milestones in TASB’s First Year

Leaders elected

After TASB launched in 1949, one of its first actions was to select leaders. Ray K. Daily, a Houston Board of Education member, was chosen as TASB’s first president, with Willie Kocurek as first vice president, J.A. Gooch of Fort Worth as second vice president, and O.D. Weeks as secretary-treasurer. A.L. Chapman, professor of educational administration at The University of Texas, was named executive director.

Inaugural meetings

The Association’s first meetings that year laid the groundwork for the purpose of the group’s existence. Initial services proposed included encouragement and support of regional meetings of school board members and the provision of a research and information service to which local school boards could subscribe. Thus sprang the roots of Texas Lone Star magazine, then called the Texas School Board Newsletter, in March 1950, as well as specialized publications and booklets geared toward local education leaders.

First Convention

At regional meetings, school trustees received regular updates on the new Gilmer-Aikin laws and their effects. And at the first Convention, held in San Antonio in November 1950, an overflow crowd of trustees from across the state learned about the job of a school board member.

Memberships increase

By the end of 1950, TASB had grown from 26 members to 170 members. In another two years, that number nearly doubled.

Unified voice

The resources and training that TASB offered were clearly needed. Also clear to members was the fact that the unified voice they had formed had the power to help improve public schools.

Ray K. Daily, TASB’s first president. (TASB archives)

Willie Kocurek, TASB’s second president. (TASB archives)

Strength in Numbers

Member voice at TASB’s core from the very start

From its inception in November 1949, one of TASB’s foundational purposes has been to offer a unified voice regarding public education for the more than 1,000 school boards across the state.

In fact, the first TASB gathering — before the Association had an executive director — featured about 100 trustees who met to formulate a plan of service and developed what could be considered TASB’s first-ever advocacy agenda, though it wasn’t formally called that as it is today. The issues identified then focused more inwardly as the fledgling association took shape, but the agenda’s focus turned outward toward the Texas Legislature and other arenas as TASB grew in size and clout.

“Throughout our growth, the Association has always worked to ensure that every member school board has had the opportunity to participate in and directly contribute to the formation of the organization’s advocacy goals,” said TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell.

Early incarnations of TASB’s legislative program featured school board members gathering in Austin to draft priorities that would impact the Association’s advocacy efforts.

“The Association understands and values the importance of collaborative engagement at the grassroots level to form legislative priorities that best represent school boards,” said George H. McShan, a former Harlingen CISD trustee who was the first African American to become president of TASB, serving in 1998-99.

In 1992, the organization developed a more inclusive method for generating its legislative agenda that was comprised of two processes.

The first was a series of regional meetings designed to solicit local priorities from trustees to be proposed to the TASB Board of Directors and then the Delegate Assembly. The second was the opportunity for local boards to submit resolutions or positions directly to the TASB Board for consideration and then to the Delegate Assembly for adoption. In 2002, the results of the two processes were combined to create the TASB Advocacy Agenda — TASB’s biennial legislative plan of action.

“ The Association understands and values the importance of collaborative engagement at the grassroots level to form legislative priorities that best represent school boards.”

– George H. McShan TASB President, 1998-99

Featuring a truly grassroots-oriented process, TASB continues to gather input from local trustees at every step of the development of its advocacy priorities. It begins with an electronic survey of all school board members to determine the issues most important to them. The results of that survey are then shared with trustees who attend the Grassroots Meetings, with one such meeting being held in each of the state’s 20 education service center regions. Trustees at those meetings vote on the most critical issues to their region and elect trustees to serve on the Legislative Advisory Council (LAC), which will work to meld the regional

priorities into one statewide list. (Grassroots Meetings are held in even-numbered years and are currently happening.)

“TASB’s grassroots process levels the advocacy playing field among the diverse districts across our vast state. The smallest ISDs have the same opportunity to promote potential legislation addressing issues impacting them as the largest, most richly resourced districts,” said Faye Beaulieu, who was the 2013-14 president of TASB and is a former Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD trustee.

“Every trustee’s voice can be heard during Grassroots Meetings. The process also allows trustees to develop their leadership potential as they speak to issues important to their own district and collaborate with trustees from other areas to reach a common goal. As a school board president, I loved watching other school board members grow their confidence by participating in the process,” Beaulieu said.

Once the regional priorities are identified, LAC members travel to Austin to draft a list of statewide priorities that best represent the issues identified back home. Four of these members are then elected to sit on the Legislative Committee of the TASB Board to ensure that the voice of local trustees is represented as the Board makes its recommendations to the Delegate Assembly.

“When we are advocating at the Capitol, we’re not asking for what I or other staff members want. We are advocating for what our members have told us is important based on their direct input during our regional Grassroots Meetings,” said Grover Campbell, former associate executive director of TASB Governmental Relations.

The next, and most important, step of the process for developing TASB’s priorities is sending a delegate to the annual Delegate Assembly, where trustees vote on the Association’s leadership and Advocacy Agenda. Every member school board is invited and strongly encouraged to send a representative who can take an active role in the future of their organization.

In addition to the priorities, TASB members have a direct line to the agenda through the resolutions process, where member boards may submit issues that are important to them for consideration and possible inclusion in TASB’s broader legislative program. Advocacy Agenda Resolutions help direct TASB’s response to issues that may come up during the legislative biennium and are not overtly addressed by the priorities.

“With thousands of bills filed each session, there are bound to be issues that just aren’t covered by our Advocacy Priorities,” said Campbell. “It is helpful to have another layer of guidance from our members when our priorities don’t quite get down to the level of specificity that we need.”

The TASB Board recently created a special committee to review the Association’s Advocacy Agenda process to ensure it remains a meaningful engagement opportunity for school board members. Any significant changes proposed by the committee would need to be approved by the TASB Board and then ultimately by the Delegate Assembly.

Even as the specifics of the process may adapt and change, TASB members will continue to have a voice in the creation and content of the Association’s Advocacy Agenda — as they have since the beginning.

TASB’s Delegate Assembly in 1977. (TASB archives)

75 Years of TASB Service — and Services

75 Years of TASB Service — and Services

Programs that help districts excel at heart of TASB’s mission

With a calling to help public schools be the best they can be, TASB learned long ago how critical it is to listen.

In its 75-year history, the Association has listened closely to school boards and district staff to understand their logistical and budgetary challenges as well as their goals. And it has responded with a host of services designed to lessen the burdens of government and help school boards and the schools they serve run more efficiently.

“Texas public schools must focus on what matters most — providing an exceptional education for all students,” said Armando Rodriguez, Canutillo ISD board president and 2023-24 TASB president. “TASB services are designed to help schools do just that. Since 1949, TASB has found ways to help school boards function better and school districts address logistical and administrative concerns. And participants are comforted in working with an association whose main purpose is to advance public education in this state.”

“ Since 1949, TASB has found ways to help school boards function better and school districts address logistical and administrative concerns. And participants are comforted in working with an association whose main purpose is to advance public education in this state.”

– Armando Rodriguez TASB President, 2023-24

In the beginning, services were created by TASB to fill a gap that school boards had dealt with for a long time. Trustees needed to learn more about their responsibilities and the state educational system. They needed to understand legislation that affected schools. And they needed to find ways to share experiences with other trustees from across the state and form a unified voice in support of public education.

TASB stepped in with training and guidance on legislation and board governance, events to help school boards gather and learn, and a variety of resources to keep them informed. Programs grew to assist boards with policy development, superintendent searches, and board packet compilation. Other services helped school districts with human resource management, facility compliance and planning, and recouping costs associated with special populations. And an array of TASB affiliated entities gave school districts solid options in the areas of risk management, cooperative purchasing, electricity and fuel purchases, investment services, employee benefits, and support with legal challenges. For decades, a team of field representatives has checked in regularly with school district staff across the state to share details about TASB services — and to listen.

Services of the past

Sometimes TASB services grow and expand. Other times they are phased out when the challenge is no longer present, schools have placed services under their own purview, or the service is no longer financially feasible.

Here are a few offerings of the past that filled a gap for members at specific times.

• Accountability Information Management and Evaluation Services: Created in the 1990s, when accountability expectations increased.

• Child Care Solutions: Formed to help school districts plan in-house childcare for employees. TASB was an early adopter of on-site childcare for employees, having established The Corner School in 1987. Spring Branch ISD founded the first such center in a Texas school district in 1982.

• Parent Learning Network (originally known as Practical Parent Education): Designed to enhance parenting skills and increase parent participation in their children’s education; originated with a curriculum piloted by TASB and Plano ISD in 1990.

• Texas Center for Educational Research (TCER): Established by TASB and TASA in 1987 to provide sound research and unbiased information to assist school finance cases and other areas of education policy and practice.

A look back at the Texas School Services Foundation

TASB was created in 1949 as an unincorporated nonprofit association, the common legal structure for nonprofit entities at that time. After the Workers’ Compensation Fund was created in 1974 and other risk management programs followed, TASB began to consider alternative organizational structures that could facilitate the delivery of some services and protect tax-exempt status.

In 1983, the TASB Board established the Texas School Services Foundation (later renamed TASB, Inc.) to function as a separate legal entity administering services in the risk management area and performing data processing and printing functions for both itself and TASB.

By 1987, TASB and TSSF had grown with new and expanded programs and began combining some common services (such as communications and data processing) to benefit members.

In 1999, an IRS ruling cleared the way for streamlining TASB’s structure into one entity. Thus, after operating for 16 years under a dual-entity structure, TASB and TASB, Inc., which by then included many new services, merged into one entity: TASB.

TASB facilities, then and now. (TASB archives)

Thoughts on TASB services

“I’ve seen the ebb and flow of TASB services, everything from offering strategic planning to superintendent searches — so many things that school districts would be terribly pressed to do on their own. TASB has become the entity to provide those services and do it consistently throughout the state.”

— Janis F. Petronis TASB President, 1987-88

“We gave districts choices on services they really needed… If a school district invests in a TASB program, what they get back in return is a stronger TASB devoted to helping all schools.”

— George H. McShan TASB President, 1998-99

“TASB has always been a wonderful servant in the sense that surveys are conducted, and communities and board members are asked what they need and how we can improve our services to school districts and school boards. I think TASB has done a fabulous job with all of that and will continue to do so.”

— Viola M. Garcia TASB President, 2012-13

TASB service areas ready to support members over the years. (TASB archives)

TASB services for school boards and school districts

For 75 years, TASB services have helped public schools face challenges caused by legislative mandates, a lack of funding, or other pressing issues. This timeline shows when current TASB services took shape. Many service names and functions have morphed over time to better respond to member needs.

1970

Governmental Relations*

Policy Service*

Monitors changing laws and regulations that impact school district governance and assists school districts with updates of board policy and administrative regulations.

TASB Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Fund

After the Workers’ Compensation Fund was founded in 1974, many new coverage lines emerged over the years to eventually constitute the TASB Risk Management Fund (see 1997 in this timeline).

Monitors legislative developments and promotes TASB’s Advocacy Agenda with state and federal lawmakers, the State Board of Education, and other agencies.

Legal Services*

Provides information and advice to school district decision-makers as a supplement to the legal advice districts receive from their own attorneys and offers training and resources.

Communications and PR*

Informs members and the public via the magazine, website, social media, and other channels, and promotes public education through campaigns and recognition programs.

TASB Legal Assistance Fund

Supports school districts that are defending legal challenges with the potential to affect public schools statewide.

Executive Search Services*

Assists school boards with customized superintendent searches, including community engagement, recruitment, interviewing, transition, onboarding, and relationship building.

TASB services Affiliated entities

HR Services*

Supports school district staffing and talent management needs, providing access to data, publications, training, and consulting.

Facility Services

Assists school districts with facilities-related matters including environmental services, facility planning, and construction consulting.

Field Services*

Field reps who have served in decision-making roles in school districts regularly visit school districts to discover their needs and provide information about TASB services.

* TASB provided some of the functions of this service in the early years, before its current name/function was defined.

Lone Star Investment PoolTM

Assists school districts and other local governments with the investment of public funds by providing safety of principal, liquidity, diversification, and a competitive rate of return.

Special Education Solutions

Helps school districts with federal reimbursement for qualifying special ed services and offers program reviews, revenue analysis, and best practices for billing and documentation.

Helps school districts and other local governments increase purchasing power, lower administrative costs, and streamline the procurement process.

TASB Risk Management Fund

Offers school districts a self-insured risk pool and coverage lines such as comprehensive, auto, property, liability, cybersecurity, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, and violent act.

Provides school districts and other local governments with a variety of investment and insurance options including Lone Star Investment Pool and TASB Benefits Cooperative.

2007

TASB Benefits CooperativeTM

Provides to school districts employee- and employer-paid benefit options, including health, dental, and vision coverage as well as a range of voluntary products.

TASB services for school boards and school districts

2008

Community College Services

Provides legal expertise and comprehensive policy development and maintenance responsive to the needs of Texas community colleges.

TASB Energy CooperativeTM

Helps school districts procure electricity and fuel at fixed costs.

TASB services Affiliated entities

2020

Student Solutions

Offers a broad range of solutions for special populations to help school districts stay on top of best practices, maintain compliance, and provide needed programs.

1990s-2020s

* TASB provided some of the functions of this service in the early years, before its current name/function was defined.

Strengthening Good Governance

Strengthening Good Governance

School board training a top priority for 75 years

School board training is not only important for good governance — Texas law requires it. As publicly elected officials whose actions can affect student outcomes, school trustees must be familiar with not only certain laws but also the issues facing schools today and how to function well as a governance leadership team.

The Framework for School Board Development, initially adopted by the State Board of Education in 1996, calls for board members to acquire skills in developing “vision and goals, systems and processes, progress and accountability, advocacy and engagement, and synergy and teamwork.”

That’s quite a syllabus. Fortunately, since TASB’s beginning in 1949, school board training has been a top priority.

“ The two strengths of TASB have always been training and networking — raising board members to understand how they can fulfill their role and make their school district stronger, and then networking with other board members at conferences and understanding the challenges that other districts are facing.”

– Faye Beaulieu TASB President, 2013-14

“The two strengths of TASB have always been training and networking — raising board members to understand how they can fulfill their role and make their school district stronger, and then networking with other board members at conferences and understanding the challenges that other districts are facing,” said Faye Beaulieu, who served as 2013-14 TASB president while she was a member of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD board. “That’s how you make your own district stronger, so that you’re not just focused internally but you’re focused on the well-being of 5.5 million kids across the state and what those other districts are doing to meet their challenges.”

Training from the get-go

Long before board member training was required, TASB recognized the need to clarify complex laws and share best practices with its members. It started the year TASB was founded, in 1949, which happened to coincide with the passage of major legislation that ushered in a new era of education reform in Texas.

The Gilmer-Aikin laws, passed by the 51st Legislature that year, consolidated schools across the state into fewer, more efficient units; created a state funding plan with the establishment of the Foundation School Program; and made major revisions to school services and staffing.

Public school leaders were scratching their heads over all the changes. So, in its earliest days, TASB launched into training mode by providing regular updates on the new laws at regional meetings and with the publication of a newsletter. And at TASB’s first convention, in November 1950, informational sessions focused on how the Gilmer-Aikin laws were impacting schools.

School board members were also eager to learn specifics about the jobs to which they had been elected.

In 1951, a group called the Texas Committee of Ten, consisting of five representatives from the Texas Association of School Administrators and five from TASB, was formed. The initial intent was to study the relationships between board members and superintendents, but the discussion broadened considerably.

The following year, the committee developed the Handbook for Texas School Board Members. Up to that point, school boards had no guidelines or formal written procedures to follow. The handbook was published in May 1952; after reviews and revisions from about 400 people, the first official edition was printed in October 1953.

The committee then started improving workshops, conferences, and association meetings to provide essential materials and answers. Regional workshops that had been held in collaboration with area school board associations since 1955 were gradually expanded to help members understand current education topics, spawning the TASB tradition of Spring Workshops (held every year between February and May across the state).

At long last, a network was in place for TASB to help provide school trustees with the tools and information they desperately needed.

Expanding into the ‘80s and ‘90s

By the end of the 1970s, TASB training was being offered at workshops across the state and at the annual convention, established in coordination with TASA in 1960. When new legislation required school trustees to obtain more professional development in 1981, TASB staff responded with training on policy, legal, personnel relations, and other subjects.

Then, in 1984, House Bill 72 sent shockwaves through every aspect of public education in the state. Perhaps the most important legislation since the Gilmer-Aikin laws, the bill called for accountability at all levels of education, including the school board. Trustees were required to receive 20 hours of accredited training in 12 standards set up by the SBOE, becoming the only elected officials in the state with such a mandate. Since accredited training was sparse at the time, TASB worked to fill the void — especially after the 1986 TASA | TASB Convention.

“At the Convention [the first held after the mandated training went into effect], approved training sessions were few, seats were

scarce, and tempers in the San Antonio heat were hotter than some of the local cuisine,” wrote Bill Nemir, former director of TASB Leadership Team Services (now known as Board Development Services) in the March 1996 Texas Lone Star. “Board members with 15 years’ experience raced newly elected colleagues for seats to hear basic information about the role of the board.”

His account was not only colorful but accurate in describing the intense interest in continuing education among school board members, who not only wanted to comply with the new law but also recognized the value of professional development.

“Most trustees who were determined to leave with 20 hours’ credit and training in the 12 standards managed to complete their task. A few even had cuts, bruises, and the odd sore limb to prove their commitment and fortitude,” wrote Nemir. “In the intervening years, school board member training in Texas has become both more accessible and more appropriate to board member needs.”

Recognizing that changes were needed, the SBOE in 1996 passed a wholly revised version of its rule on training. The Framework for School Board Development (which replaced the 12 standards and would be updated again in 2012 and 2020) requires school trustees to receive an orientation to the Texas Education Code, participate in an annual team-building activity, and obtain additional needs-based continuing education.

The Framework eventually added a focus beyond mere vision. In a recent interview, George McShan, who served as TASB president in 1998-99, said that with the Framework, “we began to really emphasize outcomes. And those outcomes are about student outcomes. What really matters is how well our students are doing.”

The ‘90s ushered in a new era of increased training options for TASB members. Hot topics like strategic planning and site-based decision making were in demand, and TASB ISD was unveiled as a systematic approach to training board members, emphasizing “positive and effective ways to govern and improve local schools.”

TASB’s premier leadership program, Leadership TASB, began with the Class of 1993, taking experienced board members to a new level of development.

In 1994, TASB hosted its first satellite-delivered board training session. “By uplinking our training to a satellite, we can send the training to anyone with a steerable satellite dish,” reported Texas Lone Star early that year. The first-ever Winter Governance Seminar was introduced in 1998, and a summer iteration of that event followed soon thereafter (now known as Governance Camp).

Because board presidents were tasked with announcing the number of hours of required training accrued by each board member, TASB created a service in 1995 to simplify that process. Through the Continuing Education Credit Reporting Service, trustees could now keep track of hours (whether it be training from TASB or another provider), and the service would issue quarterly reports on board training credit to each district’s superintendent.

The ever-challenging 21st century

TASB moved into high gear as the 21st century demanded new approaches to training.

Members had been taking advantage of training via CD-ROM when a new online approach was introduced in 2002. The Online Learning Center was created “to provide greater flexibility and convenience to members.” Board members reported that the OLC “moved learning to a personal, local level” that would help districts save money on travel expenses and accommodate those who lived in remote areas of the state.

The type of training was evolving as well. Specifically defined guidance was developed for new and veteran board members and board officers, and courses were created to address new state-required training in the areas of cybersecurity and the sexual abuse/human trafficking of children.

As educational research had revealed a strong correlation between effective school board governance and student success, TASB introduced XG training in 2017. At the first XG Summit that year, thought leaders and district policymakers shared effective practices in place in Texas school districts and in-depth research on the importance of “eXceptional Governance,” XG for short. Then-Lockhart ISD Board President Steve Johnson said, “What it turned out to be was a total shift in our thinking as a board, coming together as a board to really impact student achievement.” The foundational results of XG have since been applied to customizable in-district consulting.

In March 2020, as COVID-19 shut down the world, TASB necessarily moved into the uncharted territory of virtual training.

A month earlier, Governance Camp unknowingly became the last in-person event for quite some time. In lieu of in-person Spring Workshops, 11 virtual webinars were offered in April and May, with a total attendance of 2,040. In June, the Summer Leadership Institute was TASB’s first attempt at hosting a virtual conference over a period of days. Staff switched gears to provide this virtual training in fewer than five weeks. More than 1,800 attended the event, complete with several networking sessions and access to on-demand viewing for 30 days.

The TASA | TASB Convention that year, txEDCON2020, was also held online, with over 2,700 participants. More than 160 districts were recognized as having their entire leadership teams in attendance, more than any in the history of Convention.

Clearly, school trustees were not going to put training on hold — even during a pandemic. And neither would TASB. As it has since 1949, TASB is there to provide appropriate and effective training for school board members — no matter the challenges. And it will continue to develop and refine training to fit specific needs, such as the recently launched Texas Trustee Institute, offering first-year board trustees an immersive learning experience. After all, training is a primary reason that TASB exists.

“Before TASB was founded, school boards across the state had nowhere to go for guidance about the jobs they were elected to do,” said TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell. “In the 75 years since, TASB has provided them not only essential training but also numerous networking opportunities to learn from each other how to deal with the many challenges that school districts face.”

TASB’s largest training events

Summer Leadership Institute

Commonly referred to as SLI, this event started in 1990, adopting its current format after blending two events offered in the late 1980s: Preparation for Leadership and Board Presidents and New Board Members Institute. It is held after the May elections, making it TASB’s first training event of the year for newly reconstituted boards.

Focus

• Professional development is the focus. New trustees have specific training; other sessions cover all levels of experience.

• Networking is a huge plus. SLI is designed to provide plenty of time for attendees to network with board members and administrators from around the state.

Featured speakers

• Education leaders and motivational speakers

First year to offer two locations

• In 2008, TASB began offering this event, traditionally held in San Antonio, in Fort Worth as well. Because San Antonio had sellout crowds, branching out to another city accommodated the growing number of those who wanted to attend.

Most challenging years

• In 2011 and 2012, fees were waived for TASA and TASB members in recognition of the financial crisis affecting school districts.

• Due to the pandemic onslaught and shutdown in 2020, the in-person event was converted to a virtual

event for the first time. Staff hustled to find a platform to deliver the event virtually and present it in a way that kept the spirit of SLI. More than 1,900 attended and enjoyed a full slate of sessions and opportunities to network. The event returned in person in 2021, with an option to attend a virtual version.

Changes in the future?

“I’m sure the technology will continue to change, but people wanting to be together face-to-face, I don’t see that changing,” said Kathy Dundee, former assistant director of Meeting and Event Planning, who had been involved in TASB event planning from 1991 until her departure from the Association in 2024.

txEDCON

The annual txEDCON, formerly known as the TASA | TASB Convention, has been a prime source of education and inspiration for local school district leaders for more than six decades. Here are a few facts about what has become the largest convening of public education decision-makers in Texas.

The first convention

• The first on record was held in San Antonio in November 1950, a year after TASB was established. The event offered three sessions and a business meeting.

• Delegate Assembly was not in place yet, but members did consider and passed resolutions, mainly concerning the mechanics of the new organization.

• A head count was not recorded, but meeting rooms reportedly overflowed with trustees from all sections of the state.

The first convention with the Texas Association of School Administrators

• In 1960, TASA and TASB held a joint convention for the first time.

• Held in Austin, it offered trustees a more robust selection (11 topic sessions then, compared with more than 150 sessions offered today).

Focus

• To improve governance and leadership in Texas public schools and enhance statewide support for public education

Locations

• Members gathered annually in Austin from 1960 until 1971, when the event moved to San Antonio, where it remained until 1990 when Houston became a venue option.

• In the decades that followed, the location varied between Houston and Dallas and later Austin again.

• In 2022, it returned to San Antonio, where it also was held in 2024. It returns to Dallas in 2025 and 2026.

Featured speakers

• Politicians, thought leaders, athletes, and writers were among those who spoke at the convention, including Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson; Texas Govs. Mark White, Ann Richards, George W. Bush, and Greg Abbott; U.S. Sens. John Tower and Lloyd Bentsen; journalist Dan Rather; writer Alex Haley; U.S. Olympic gymnast gold medalist Mary Lou Retton, and former Dallas Cowboys Roger Staubach and Emmitt Smith.

Entertainment

• For years, the convention offered a musical performer and dance Saturday night. Among those featured were B.J. Thomas, Conway Twitty, Louise Mandrell, Ray Price, Rick Trevino, and Tammy Wynette.

• In the last couple of decades, student performances from districts across the state have wowed attendees.

Most challenging years

• In 2005, hurricanes Katrina and Rita forced the cancellation of the convention in Houston. Staff from both associations kicked into high gear and moved the event to Dallas in fewer than 30 days.

• In 2011 and 2012, fees were waived for TASA and TASB members in light of the financial crisis affecting school districts.

• In 2020, about six months after COVID-19 forced a global shutdown, TASB staff created the first-ever virtual convention. More than 2,700 attended the event, which featured virtual general and breakout sessions, exhibit booths, student performances, Delegate Assembly, and awards ceremonies.

Changes in the future?

“One of our goals is to position this event as the leader for team-of-eight training, providing transformative education that prepares attendees to govern future-ready schools,” said Jackie Clark Spencer, who has been involved in TASB event planning since 1982 and now serves as division director of Events. “We’d also like to find more ways to discover what our members need in the way of programming and possibly even create a community strand.”

SLI and txEDCON are the largest of TASB’s training events. Other major events include Governance Camp, Spring Workshops, Legal Seminars, and more. Visit the events section of tasb.org for a complete list.

TASB Event Firsts

First TASA/TASB Convention requiring a registration fee: 1960 (TASB and TASA members could attend the first joint convention for $1 per person. Banquet tickets cost $3 each, and luncheon tickets, a mere $2.50.)

First featuring Delegate Assembly: 1967

First honoring TASA Honor Boards: 1976

First featuring commercial exhibits: 1961 (42 total, compared to more than 300 today)

First exhibit of school architecture: 1962 (the next year it featured an exhibit on “air-conditioned schools”)

Trustee Leadership

George H. McShan, a former Harlingen CISD trustee, was the 1998-99 TASB President. (TASB archives)

Janis F. Petronis, a former Copperas Cove ISD trustee, was the 1987-88 TASB President. (TASB archives)

Trustee Leadership

TASB Board has guided Association throughout its history

At the heart of TASB’s governance structure is an understanding and appreciation of its members. Throughout its 75-year history, TASB has turned to members for leadership in developing and guiding its mission to provide advocacy, expert training, and high-quality services to school boards and districts.

TASB values the power of leveraging the expertise of members who not only lead their school districts but often are skilled professionals in business, law, technology, and other fields. They also represent the state’s geographic diversity, understanding their areas’ needs, challenges, and culture.

These trustees are devoted to running their school boards — and they bring that dedication, knowledge, experience, and understanding of public education to their leadership roles at TASB, helping it fulfill its many responsibilities to members.

“TASB is led by a trusted, experienced family of school board leaders who are bound by the common goal of fostering excellence in public education,” said TASB Immediate Past President Armando Rodriguez, who also serves as Canutillo ISD’s board president.

“Our Board leadership is dedicated to serving TASB and making sure it does all it can to help school boards and their districts provide the best education possible to students. I know I speak for the entire Board when I say we are honored, and humbled, to serve in this vital role.”

“ As the

TASB president,

it was a tremendous learning experience, an opportunity for me to lead in a way that was different. Because being the first Black president, and being from Harlingen, which is the southernmost part of the state, was a little bit different.”

– George H. McShan TASB President, 1998-99

TASB is a member-led association, with six officers and a board of directors made up of trustees from districts in every education service center region in Texas, plus one representative for ESC boards. They help shape TASB’s future and ensure that the Association delivers practical, beneficial results to its members across Texas.

Board members are elected to the TASB Board at TASB’s Delegate Assembly, the annual membership meeting held at txEDCON. Delegate Assembly also adopts TASB’s Advocacy Agenda, which is created by members, for members. The Advocacy Agenda is a two-year action plan focusing on the legislative priorities of the more than 1,000 school boards in Texas.

“Our success over the past 75 years is really a reflection of our member-led governance structure that ensures TASB is aligning our work with member values, needs, and priorities,” said TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell.

In addition to the Board, other TASB affiliated entities also benefit from member leadership, including the TASB Risk Management Fund, Lone Star Investment Pool, The Local Government Purchasing Cooperative

(also known as BuyBoard), TASB Benefits Cooperative, TASB Legal Assistance Fund, First Public Governance Committee, the National Purchasing Cooperative, and TASB Energy Cooperative. TASB entities have boards that include members who are trustees, superintendents, and other administrators. Throughout the year, these boards hold 29 official board meetings.

Early days of leadership

In November 1949, a small group of trustees gathered in Austin to charter TASB and elect its first leaders, including Ray K. Daily, a Houston school board member who was chosen as the first president, and Willie Kocurek of Austin ISD, selected as first vice president and then as TASB’s second president.

From the start, the trustees’ leadership was an acknowledged asset.

“Board members who belong to the Association also serve on a variety of committees, which are not only contributing to the improvement of education in Texas, but each board member who serves on one of these committees is a better board member after having served,” Kocurek, as TASB president, said at the Midwinter Conference on Education, held in Austin on Jan. 6, 1951. “It is through a continuing, growing, enthusiastic group of board members joined together in the Texas Association of School Boards that all of us in education can help to solve the major problems in Texas education.”

TASB continued its work to help school boards and expand membership. Some 20 years later, the 27-member board was expanded to 35 members representing 26 districts. Laura T. Doing, a Wichita Falls trustee and TASB president in 1970, solicited more representatives from urban boards.

In the late 1970s into 1989, TASB and its leadership helped members respond to challenges brought on by new laws and lawsuits and an emphasis on education reform. In January 1978, at a meeting of the TASB Board of Trustees, members decided to reevaluate TASB’s goals and objectives. They agreed that TASB was a threefold organization: service-oriented,

Photos over the years show TASB Board members meeting to discuss the Association’s efforts to provide expert training, advocacy, and high-quality services to school boards and districts. (TASB archives)

management-oriented, and product-oriented. During the next decade, the Association would develop many services and programs based on those goals established by the Board.

At every major point in its history, TASB presidents and other board leaders have been at the forefront of helping the Association expertly and reliably serve its members in myriad ways. For example:

• Franklin Bass, then a Corpus Christi ISD trustee, served as president of TASB in 1978-79, a time when the Association was expanding its legislative goals, especially at the federal level. Bass also guided TASB in promoting more trustee involvement in Association activities. There was then record attendance at the annual convention, and the Spring Workshops and Board Leadership Workshops were highly successful.

• When Julianan Cowden, then an Alvarado ISD trustee, was president in 1982-83, TASB grew phenomenally, and the Texas School Services Foundation was developed to provide risk management programs.

• John Quisenberry, then an Ector County ISD trustee, became TASB president in 1984, when school districts were trying to implement the changes mandated by House Bill 72, a reform bill that impacted many aspects of district operations. Under Quisenberry’s leadership, TASB worked to help districts with the many changes they were facing. In addition, the Legislative Program developed under his leadership focused on changing some problem areas, such as class-size mandates, in HB 72.

TASB and its Board leadership have continuously worked to provide expert services and products to its members and understand members’ evolving needs. One of TASB’s goals has been to keep its annual membership fees as low as possible while also bringing an economy of scale to many district operations — helping reduce the burden of government. The same formula has been in place since 1978 to determine TASB membership fees with smaller districts paying less than larger ones. No district, however, no matter how large, pays more than $11,000 — a cap that has been in place since 1991.

TASB Board today

Today, the Board convenes at least four times a year, but there is more work to be done in appointments to standing Board committees. Conference calls, informal meetings, events, and more activities are all part of a Board member’s work.

While this governance framework allows TASB to tap into trustees’ wealth of experience and knowledge, TASB directors also benefit from connecting with and learning from each other, becoming even stronger school leaders.

As part of the effort to honor TASB’s 75th anniversary this year, TASB staff interviewed several past presidents, asking them about the vital role the Board plays in TASB governance and some of the key initiatives they worked on during their tenures. Following are excerpts from those interviews.

Uniting two entities

Janis F. Petronis, a former Copperas Cove trustee, served as TASB president in 1987-88, a time when TASB and the Texas School Services Foundation began to combine some services. TSSF had been created in 1983 as a nonprofit to administer services in the risk management area.

“I think I served on the TASB Board as president at probably one of the most volatile times, not explosive volatile, but just change,” she said, noting there were basically two organizations, and the goal was to unite them.

“Through my presidency and the next couple after me, that was changed, and we brought all of the services under the TASB banner,” she said. “The Board believed it was important.”

She said the process began when she was president, but it continued under the two succeeding TASB presidents, Byron F. Black, TASB president 1988-89 and then a Burleson ISD trustee, and Charles Wade, TASB president 1989-90 and then a Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD trustee. “It wasn’t just during my term as president; it was two or three presidents there where we really changed the structure of TASB to pull it under one umbrella.”

Petronis also served as president when TASB worked on its strategic planning. “During my term as president was when we did our first strategic plan for TASB, and it definitely was a game changer,” she said. “We as a team came together with where we were going and how we were going to get there, and it was just so exciting to me.”

“ During my term as president was when we did our first strategic plan for TASB, and it definitely was a game changer.”

Petronis said decisions had to be made on how TASB was going to divide things within the Association as well as how it was going to be run and what the goals and purposes would be.

– Janis F. Petronis TASB President, 1987-88

“It was pioneering in that we were deciding our future. And the strategic planning effort, which is still very much a part of the organization today, started that effort. And if I could pick a singular thing, that would be it,” she said.

Working on providing resources

George H. McShan, a former Harlingen CISD trustee, was TASB’s first Black president, serving in 1998-99. “As the TASB president, it was a tremendous learning experience, an opportunity for me to lead in a way that was different. Because being the first Black president, and being from Harlingen, which is the southernmost part of the state, was a little bit different,” McShan said.

“At the time, TASB put emphasis on providing resources to school districts and what we did was we worked on entrepreneurships,” McShan said. “BuyBoard was one of the big things we started.”

The Local Government Purchasing Cooperative, also known as BuyBoard, launched in 1998. BuyBoard helps school districts and other local governments increase purchasing power, lower administrative costs, and streamline the procurement process. Membership in the Cooperative continues to grow and now numbers more than 3,000 governmental entities across the state.

McShan said the TASB Board was always focused on helping school districts — rural, urban, suburban — get the resources they need. “You have to have resources to support districts,” he said. “We are a nonprofit, so we felt we could do more. ... BuyBoard and the Lone Star Investment Pool were others. Districts had choices, and we gave them that choice. And we really focused on that and not just on memberships,” he said. “And if a district is investing in TASB, what are you going to get back? We stressed that, and it worked out very well.”

School funding challenges

Bret Begert is a longtime Fort Elliott CISD trustee who is now president of that board. Begert served on the TASB Board from 2005 to 2017 and was TASB president 2015-16, a period when the Texas Legislature enacted deep budget cuts to public education funding to overcome an overall shortfall in the state budget.

“The 2011 [legislative] session was not friendly to public education, and it was about that time when the districts faced so many cuts that the [TASB] staff and Board together waived the fees to our conferences to help our membership out and allow the training without cost, and it was very well received and appreciated from schools throughout the state,” Begert said.

Addressing challenges

Jim Rice, a former Fort Bend ISD trustee, served on the TASB Board from 2012 to 2022. He served as board president in 2020-21, when James B. Crow retired as longtime TASB executive director. Rice’s term began in October 2020, months after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing school districts to close.

The Board convened a search committee to find a replacement for Crow and had a recommendation to choose Troxell, who was unanimously approved, Rice said.

Navigating the ongoing pandemic was much more tumultuous. TASB, he said, had to pivot to work on canceling in-person events and shifting Summer Leadership Institute and txEDCON to online events.

“But TASB showed its resilience, really the TASB staff, stepped up to the plate and did that. And for the most part, we got through everything,” Rice said.

Selecting a new brand

Recently, the TASB Board served an important role in guiding the Association’s brand and logo modernization effort.

While nonprofit organizations often outsource their rebranding campaigns to ad agencies, TASB once again turned to its Board for guidance. A key group of five TASB directors, the Planning and Development Subcommittee on Brand Modernization, worked hard on developing a new brand and logo recommendation.

“We appreciated having the opportunity to guide this project,” said TASB Immediate Past President and subcommittee member Debbie Gillespie, who served on the Frisco ISD board. “TASB staff were all so incredibly responsive to the committee’s concerns and questions as we worked through many possible designs and color combinations.”

Gillespie was joined by TASB First Vice President Tony Hopkins, who serves on the Friendswood ISD board; TASB Director Sylvia Sánchez Garza of South Texas ISD; TASB Director Linda Gooch of Sunnyvale ISD; and former TASB Director Robert Westbrook, who until recently served on the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD board.

The subcommittee worked for several months on the project before presenting a recommendation to the entire TASB Board at the March 2023 meeting, where they approved the new logo and brand.

“Change can be difficult, but it’s also exciting,” Gillespie said.

The brand and logo project, along with other initiatives implemented during the past 75 years, demonstrate the vital importance of TASB Board leadership.

“Throughout our history, we have been blessed to have such extensive knowledge and dedication on our board,” Troxell said. “Our directors are always bringing that trusted experience to the table — and our members know they can depend on us to help them address any need or challenge.”

Debbie Gillespie, TASB President 2022-23, pictured with fellow Frisco ISD board members. (TASB archives)

Amplified Voice

Participants at the 1981 Delegate Assembly. (TASB archives)

Attendees vote at the 2002 Delegate Assembly. (TASB archives)

Amplified Voice

Delegate Assembly unites Texas school boards

Each year at txEDCON, the room for TASB’s Delegate Assembly is set up with precision and everything is in place hours before delegates fill the rows of seats to finalize TASB’s Advocacy Agenda, vote on directors and officers, and conduct other Association business.

“My first Delegate Assembly, I thought, ‘What am I doing here?’ and ‘How do I make a difference?’” said Larry “Doc” Hawthorne, president of the Hubbard ISD school board, a small rural district northeast of Waco. Hawthorne has been a Hubbard ISD trustee for 34 years and has participated in Delegate Assembly for more than two decades.

The establishment of Delegate Assembly marked a milestone in TASB’s history and its advocacy work. At the annual convention in 1966, Texas trustees in attendance unanimously voted to create a Delegate Assembly to provide a structure for TASB member boards to have a direct and equal voice in the determination of TASB priorities. The first ever Delegate Assembly was held in Austin the next year, on Sept. 23, 1967, when 101 delegates considered resolutions and Association business. Since then, every Active Member has been invited to participate by sending a delegate and alternate to attend.

“It’s a rewarding experience in several ways,” Hawthorne said about his decades-long participation. “First, it gives you an opportunity to see things from more than just your local level to a statewide level, which broadens your understanding of the needs across the state. From a local district, we know what our needs are. But when we go to Delegate Assembly and go to Grassroots Meetings and go to legislative advisory type meetings, now we see how they all intertwine.”

Since it was established 75 years ago, TASB has understood the importance of advocacy and in harnessing the power of its school board members to amplify those efforts. Delegate Assembly marks a crucial step in that process as it establishes the TASB Advocacy Agenda — the two-year action plan used to guide TASB’s advocacy efforts at the Texas Capitol and beyond.

Over the years, as the Association has grown and advocacy needs have evolved, TASB has continuously refined and innovated its processes to ensure that the needs and priorities of member boards are heard and included. Last year’s legislative season, which included four special sessions, highlighted the vital role advocacy plays in TASB’s mission to serve public school boards across Texas.

“Allowing school board members to participate in the development of the Advocacy Agenda and take part in the Delegate Assembly is crucial because it ensures that the diverse perspectives and insights from those who work closely with students, teachers, and the community are directly included in decision-making processes, including for our legislative priorities,” said Renae Mitchell, president of the Pflugerville ISD board, a large district north of Austin.

Mitchell said the TASB advocacy process encourages board members from small-to-large school districts to share their valuable viewpoints. “This participation fosters more comprehensive and effective advocacy efforts, leading to policies and initiatives that better address the needs and aspirations of our diverse student population, local schools, and their stakeholders. All our expressions come together united as one voice in advocacy for public education.”

Advocacy in the beginning

Since its inception, TASB has been dedicated to giving member school boards the opportunity to help establish a unified voice for public education. During the first TASB gathering in November 1949, 100 trustees met to discuss several issues, including the formation of a plan that was similar to today’s Advocacy Agenda. And as public education evolved, the Association began to focus its efforts more on the Texas Legislature and other arenas.

“TASB has always worked to ensure that every Active Member has the opportunity to participate in and directly contribute to the formation of the organization’s advocacy goals,” said TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell. “The Advocacy Agenda is the result of a truly grassroots process and is designed to represent the issues that matter most to our member boards and their school district communities across Texas.”

In TASB’s early years, the development of its legislative program featured members gathering in Austin to discuss those top issues and draft those priorities to guide the Association’s advocacy work.

TASB expanded that process in July 1990 with the formation of the Grassroots Advocacy Task Force, which consisted of 25 school board members from across the state. The task force, chaired by Wylie ISD trustee Alan Leverett, recommended that “TASB take the Association to its members, rather than ask school board members to come to Austin.” It was an important step toward including member voices from all parts of Texas.

“If TASB is to remain a strong representative of Texas school boards, the Association consistently must check the pulse of its membership to determine organizational positions on vital issues facing Texas education,” said Billy Walker, the TASB executive director at that time.

By 1992, TASB formed a comprehensive plan for developing its legislative agenda that had two processes. The first involved hosting regional Grassroots Meetings to hear trustees’ perspectives about local priorities that would then be proposed to the TASB Board of Directors before being presented at Delegate Assembly. The second process gave local boards the opportunity to submit resolutions directly to the TASB Board for consideration and then to Delegate Assembly for adoption. The results of those two processes created the Advocacy Agency.

Attendee reviews Delegate Assembly materials. (TASB archives)

An attendee looks through the 2023 Delegate Assembly handbook. (TASB archives)

Gathering input at all levels

Today, TASB’s grassroots process gathers valuable input from local trustees at every point in the development of its Advocacy Priorities. First, during even-numbered years, an electronic survey is distributed to all school board members asking what issues are most important to them. Those results are shared with trustees who attend the Grassroots Meetings, which are held that same year in each of the 20 education service center regions.

“What you all do today is a foundational step in developing what will eventually become the priorities that you all consider at TASB Delegate Assembly,” Dax González, division director of TASB Governmental Relations, told a group of trustees gathered for the Region 13 Grassroots meeting on Jan. 10, 2024.

“The fact that so many districts and so many perspectives are represented in this room is really the strength of this process,” said Lynn Boswell, Austin ISD trustee and TASB director. Boswell helped lead the Grassroots Meeting for Region 13 and guided fellow trustees through voicing priorities they brought from their districts.

At each Grassroots Meeting, trustees discuss and then vote on the issues most critical to their area, narrowing it down to their top five priorities. They also elect trustees to serve on the Legislative Advisory Council. Those LAC members, whose numbers are determined by student enrollment, will then work together to distill the regional priorities into one statewide list to recommend to the TASB Board of Directors.

“Looking back on almost 20 years at TASB, the one thing that has stood out the most to me has been our focus on our members — and that includes the continual improvement of our Advocacy Agenda process that is centered on member input and participation,” González said. “Very few, if any, membership associations go to the lengths that TASB does to gather as much local member voice as possible so that we can represent those voices at the Texas Capitol and beyond. That focus on our members drives me every day, and it’s something we can all be proud of.”

In another step to ensure representation, four LAC members are elected to sit on the TASB Board of Directors’ Legislative Committee, where they work to make sure the voice of local trustees is heard at the table when the Board makes its recommendations to Delegate Assembly.

“The fact that so many districts and so many perspectives are represented in this room is really the strength of this process.”

– Lynn Boswell TASB Director

Finally, through the resolutions process, member boards may submit issues that are important to them for consideration and possible inclusion in TASB’s broader legislative program. Advocacy Agenda Resolutions help direct TASB’s response to issues that may come up during the legislative biennium and are not directly addressed by the priorities.

“There are bound to be issues that arise during a legislative session that just aren’t covered by our Advocacy Priorities,” said González. “The resolutions process provides another important layer of guidance from our members.”

Delegate Assembly

The culmination of this grassroots process happens each year at Delegate Assembly, which coincides with txEDCON, the largest gathering of K-12 public education leaders in the state.

As TASB’s official membership meeting, delegates vote on a range of leadership and business matters.

The meeting is held annually, and every Active Member board is strongly encouraged to send a representative to Delegate Assembly, where they can take an active role in determining the Association’s future.

“You can have one representative from your district,” said Hawthorne. “You can have a voice.

“To me, it was always important to go to Grassroots Meetings, follow the grassroots process. And then go to the Delegate Assembly and go through that process,” Hawthorne said. “Without that you don’t know the founding parts of how the priority got started.”

Throughout the Delegate Assembly experience, there are many opportunities for members to be heard. The process starts with Regional Caucus meetings, which is an opportunity to share lunch with fellow regional representatives. These discussions offer clarity on issues before the Assembly and insight into the process, particularly for new delegates.

“The experience of advocating at the Delegate Assembly is transformative,” said James Matlock, a Hutto ISD trustee. Delegates can address the Assembly from the floor about items under consideration during the proceedings. “It fosters collaboration and dialogue among board members, allowing us to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collectively address the challenges facing public education.”

Hawthorne encourages all board members to be part of this advocacy process. “You have an opportunity to persuade other trustees about your position,” he said.

“The experience of advocating at the Delegate Assembly is transformative. It fosters collaboration and dialogue among board members, allowing us to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collectively address the challenges facing public education.”

“Be genuine and tell your story. Tell how it affects student outcomes, because at the end of the day that is what it’s all about. We all want better outcomes for our students.”

Once Delegate Assembly attendees have completed their business, the Agenda is set and ready to be used by TASB and its members to advocate on behalf of public schools and Texas schoolchildren.

With Delegate Assembly being such an integral part of TASB’s long history of serving school boards and Texas public education, there’s an ongoing commitment by the TASB Board to make sure this pivotal event continues to serve the needs of members and foster participation.

“We always want to make sure the experience is the best one possible and encourage more school boards to take part,” said Rolinda Schmidt, Kerrville ISD trustee and 2024-25 TASB President. Schmidt has been leading a special committee looking at ways to strengthen Delegate Assembly as TASB looks to the next 75 years.

“Delegate Assembly truly empowers TASB members to have a voice in creating positive changes in Texas public education. We want to ensure it continues to serve our Association and advances the needs of our students for generations to come,” Schmidt said.

TASB Immediate Past President Armando Rodriguez and TASB President Rolinda Schmidt draw winning districts for the $1,000 student scholarship given to 10 districts that participated in the 2023 Delegate Assembly. (TASB Archives)

– James Matlock Hutto ISD trustee

Keeping Members Informed

Building advocacy support through communications

TASB gains input from member school boards from across Texas for consideration in the Advocacy Agenda, which is officially approved by Delegate Assembly. Once that two-year action plan is in place, it’s also TASB’s responsibility to keep members informed about its advocacy efforts. That has long been a priority at TASB, but the way the Association has communicated advocacy developments to members has evolved over the years as it has capitalized on improved outreach tools.

In the Association’s early days, keeping members up to date on legislative actions that could impact their schools was a challenge. Coverage in printed publications and mailed letters could be too slow, and maintaining a physical presence at the Capitol was impossible for many members.

All that changed with the internet. Late-breaking legislative news became available on the TASB website for the first time in 1997, allowing members to respond quickly. That same year, TASB Governmental Relations added a newsgroup and legislative bill tracking system. In 2001, TASB’s School Board Advocacy Network began using an online tool that helped SBAN members learn about and react to important legislative issues and easily contact legislators.

Broad use of the World Wide Web not only helped members build stronger advocacy efforts, it also helped TASB spread the good news about public education in Texas. “The internet created opportunities for us to promote schools far more broadly than before,” said Karen Strong, former associate executive director of communications and public relations at TASB. “In the early days, we had to buy ads in major newspapers in the state, and that was horribly expensive. So, technology opened up access and helped us increase the frequency of our voice to more varied audiences.”

An important part of TASB’s advocacy process has been to clarify the advantages of public education and debunk myths perpetuated about Texas public schools. Communications technology has played a huge part in furthering that objective.

For example, in 1994, TASB hosted its first Pathfinder teleconference, The Big Lie About Public Schools, to shed light on the facts. In 2013, TASB launched the Truth About Schools website to point out incorrect information being shared within the Texas Legislature. The site became a reliable source for the media to confirm facts. In recent years, the TASB Talks podcast has helped explicate education issues being addressed in the Legislature.

To help increase awareness about public education issues in the state, the Texans for Strong Public Schools site shares facts and allows citizens to easily contact their legislators. More than 285,000 letters were sent to lawmakers during the recent 88th Legislature. Since 2017, more than 425,000 letters have been sent to state lawmakers on behalf of public schools through the program.

“We at TASB are committed to getting the word out about public school accomplishments and challenges as well as helping communities understand the possible effects of proposed legislation,” said Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield, TASB deputy executive director. “An essential tool in those efforts will always be the latest technology to help us communicate quickly and broadly.”

Supporting Public Schools

2023 Superintendent of the Year Martha Salazar-Zamora, Tomball ISD, with Tomball ISD trustees (from left) John E. McStravick, Tina Salem, Michael J. Pratt, Mark Lewandowski, Lee McLeod, Matt Schiel, and Justin Unser. TASB established the SOTY Award in 1984 to spotlight outstanding district leaders. (TASB Archives)

TASB teamed up with Aledo ISD to promote its Make Education a Priority campaign in 2011, with stakeholders carrying their message statewide and directly to the Texas Legislature. (TASB Archives)

Supporting Public Schools

For TASB,

it’s not just a goal — it’s the mission

As important as public schools are to the students and families they serve, they also play an enormous role in the Texas communities where they are located. Just as each Texas town is unique, so is the local district and what it means to its residents.

In many places, especially rural areas, the local school district doesn’t just educate students; it also serves as the largest employer, the community gathering spot, and as a vital point of connection for generations of families linked by a common experience.

Yet, even with those meaningful advantages, TASB has long understood that it can’t take support for public schools for granted, especially amid changing demographics, political divisions, and a shifting educational landscape in Texas.

“We’re a big state with a daily influx of new residents who need information about public schools and what the function of the school board is here,” said TASB Deputy Executive Director Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield. “Add to that a very complicated school funding system that needs explanation and a steady stream of misinformation about public schools, and we have a big task to keep the facts and good news flowing.”

Northside ISD Trustee Bobby Blount, shown here with a student, received the 2024 James B. Crow Innovation in Governance Award, created by TASB to honor those who have significantly influenced effective school district governance practices at the state or local level.

That work has been central to the TASB mission for the past 75 years, with the goal of keeping the success of the state’s public schools top of mind for lawmakers, the general public, and of course, parents who have many educational choices, including public charter schools, private schools, religious schools, and home schools. More recently, lawmakers have been debating adding education savings accounts or vouchers to that list of options, which would use public tax dollars to help subsidize those private options.

“From the very beginning, a top TASB priority has been to shine a positive light on all the great things happening in Texas public schools,” said TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell. “It’s an even bigger priority today because we want public schools to continue to stand out as the best choice for families.”

Over the years, the work TASB has done to encourage support of public schools has been multifaceted — and relentless.

“TASB’s approach to building support constantly evolved,” said Karen Strong, who led the TASB communications and marketing division from 1988 to 2020. “Campaigns had to morph, and messages had to be refreshed to remain pertinent. As the environment around public schools changed, we had to renew our efforts continually. It’s been a wild ride but an important one.”

Not surprisingly, the biggest challenges have tended to coincide with specific issues that have come before the Legislature, namely school funding, testing and accountability proposals, and of course, voucher and privatization schemes.

“ And the fact is public education in Texas is strong, and it’s supported, and we’re turning out educated students to make good citizens in the real world.”

– Bret Begert TASB president, 2015-16

“It seems like the voices against public education are growing louder and expanding to a degree,” said Bret Begert, a Fort Elliott CISD trustee who served on the TASB Board of Directors from 2005 to 2017, including as TASB president in 2015-16.

Amid the false narrative being pushed by some special interest groups that Texas public schools are failing, Begert said TASB has helped show otherwise by sharing the real success stories on the power of public education to transform lives and bring communities together. Those efforts have included marketing campaigns, special events, contests, giveaways, recognition programs, and resources like brochures, publications, websites, and podcasts.

“The future is bright because when you get past all the negative rhetoric, the facts will prevail,” Begert said. “And the fact is public education in Texas is strong, and it’s supported, and we’re turning out educated students to make good citizens in the real world. And as long as we keep doing that and stay on track, I think the best days of Texas public education are ahead of us.”

Just as in past years, TASB’s efforts to showcase public education will continue to support the following goals:



Share success stories of public schools

Parents of public school students have consistently given their schools high marks over the years. Even so, because there is increasing competition from nonpublic schools with large advertising budgets, the successes of public schools need to be shared. Other members of the community, including new residents and residents without children in the system, are not as aware of the good things going on in public schools and need reminders.

 Clarify facts and correct misinformation

Unfortunately, misinformation has increased over the years about the success rate of Texas public school students, the success rate of nonpublic schools, how schools are funded, and whether options like vouchers are good for the state. TASB’s focus has been to stick to the facts and share them widely.

The TASB Talks podcast was created in 2017 to share news about public schools in Texas. In 2018, the podcast was presented live at txEDCON in Austin. From left, former Texas Lone Star managing editor Roger White, TASA Executive Director Kevin Brown, and former TASB Executive Director James B. Crow. (TASB Archives)

 Explain public school funding

Public school funding has consistently remained a lower priority in the Texas Legislature. Also, many Texans don’t know exactly how schools are funded and how legislative changes impact their schools. So, diligence in clarifying what’s going on at the Capitol is important.

 Increase Texans’ support for public schools

Explaining legislative activity is just the beginning of increasing awareness about public schools. TASB has also found ways to make it easier for the average person to contact and/or meet with legislators, to help them voice their opinions through letters to legislators, and to train them how to be better advocates.

 Explain what school boards do

Many Texans do not know what the responsibilities of the school board include. Defining the role of the school board and the duties of its members has been an important function at TASB.

 Help school districts market their schools

In competition with nonpublic schools, public school districts need to market their schools and give parents solid information about the advantages of public education. With so much misinformation out there, it’s important for schools to be ready to share statistics and success stories of schools in their area. TASB has provided training and resources to help with this effort.

 Recognize active supporters of public schools

To highlight the good work going on in public schools and encourage support from communities, TASB has created a variety of commendation and recognition programs over the years.

 Collaborate with other groups in building support

Building relationships with other organizations that actively support public education has been a top priority at TASB. Whether it’s by having regular discussions, sharing materials, or co-sponsoring a major event together, the work TASB does with other groups is essential to helping spread positive news about public schools.

An ever-evolving effort

In TASB’s early years, disseminating information about public schools was limited to newspaper articles, mailed correspondence, and small forums. As new communication technologies popped up, the Association was at the forefront of adopting them. Whether the latest thing was videodisc technology, the powerful new world wide web, or virtual events, TASB quickly became adept at it so there was no pause in communications about public schools. It will be this way in the future — because for TASB, public school support is its reason for being.

At TASB’s 2015 Business/Education Forum, TASB President Andra Self introduced a panel representing districts, businesses, and civic organizations from across the state to discuss successful school-business collaborations. (TASB Archives)

Supporting Public Schools

A look back, and a look ahead

To get more insight into TASB’s work in promoting public schools, we talked with Karen Strong, former associate executive director of Communications and Public Relations, and Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield, TASB’s current deputy executive director.

A look back with Karen Strong

Q. TASB’s efforts to raise awareness have ranged from printing messages on pencils to wrapping buses with giant ads, from hosting small public forums to producing podcasts. Which efforts stand out in your memory as being particularly needed at one point in time?

A. The Proud Products campaign started at a time when conventional wisdom was that to be successful in life you needed to go to a private school. We started looking at Texans who were greatly admired and discovered — surprise! Many had attended a public school. And they had good things to say about the public school they attended. The campaign really caught on. I began to hear more and more people say they were proud products of Texas public schools. Associations in other states even contacted us and asked if they could use the campaign name. It was great.

Q. How has the public’s perception of public schools changed in the last few decades?

A. The biggest change has been the politicizing of public schools. When I was a kid, everyone believed in public schools. It was an accepted part of what the state would provide, and practically no one was against them. In the 1980s, we began to hear statements like “public schools are failing, we’ve got to do something different,” which became a recurring sentiment in party platforms. Often, the criticisms have been unfounded, and it has been a TASB priority to correct them.

On the upside, however, over the years the perception of public schools has changed because they are now much better than they were! All of the Texas public education system has improved over the years, and public support has grown because of that. Kudos to the Texas educators who heard the criticisms and responded. For instance, when parents said, “I want a choice,” public schools responded with an amazing range of opportunities.

“ Kudos to the Texas educators who heard the criticisms and responded. For instance, when parents said, ‘I want a choice,’ public schools responded with an amazing range of opportunities.”

–

Karen Strong TASB associate executive director of Communications and Public Relations 1988-2020

Karen Strong

A

look ahead with Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield

Q. In what new ways is TASB working to share good news about public education and to correct misinformation?

A. Since TASB’s inception, advocacy has always been part of the mission. We’re continuing to do all of the things the organization has done in the past, but we’re putting more emphasis on helping the general public better understand key issues affecting their local schools so they can reach out to their lawmakers and advocate for students and teachers. During the 88th regular session and the special sessions that followed, we were very strategic in encouraging Texans to email and call their lawmakers and ask them to prioritize public education.

As part of that work, we’re doing more research into public opinion so that we can better understand how Texans feel about important K-12 public education issues and share that information with members, lawmakers, and the general public. We’re also being more vigilant in reaching out to any media outlets that share misinformation to ask for corrections and clarifications.

In today’s politicized educational climate, there’s absolutely no room for complacency, and we need to stay vigilant and proactive to combat misinformation or other efforts to weaken public confidence in our schools.

Q. What’s the secret to success when it comes to informing parents, communities, and legislators about public education in Texas?

A. We just need to make sure we keep telling and sharing the great stories of Texas public ed on all of the communications channels available to us. We’re investing more resources into short videos and targeted social media campaigns because we know social media is where we can reach a lot of people. At the same time, we’re taking a more journalistic approach on our website and in our magazine because we know people want to hear directly from the school board members and other experts who are in the work.

“ W hat’s most important is staying consistent, positive, and willing to try new approaches to cut through the noise and get people’s attention.”

– Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield TASB deputy executive director

What’s most important is staying consistent, positive, and willing to try new approaches to cut through the noise and get people’s attention.

Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield

TASB works to increase support for public schools

Building support for public education in Texas has always been one of TASB’s main goals. Throughout its 75-year history, TASB has increased awareness in a multitude of ways. Here are a few examples.

Sharing good news

• Education Is Everybody’s Business campaign

• Annual special “Good News” edition of Texas Lone Star

• Good News About Texas Public Schools brochures in English and Spanish

• The Closer You Get, the Better They Look campaign

• Proud Products of Texas Public Schools

• Texas Public Schools Rock campaign

• I♥ Public Schools campaign

• Student Video Contest

Encouraging participation

• Stand Up for Texas Public Schools campaign

• Texans for Strong Public Schools campaign

• I Care. I Vote. campaign

• Make Education a Priority news conference (co-sponsor)

Correcting misinformation

• Understanding Choice and Charter Schools forum (with the University of North Texas)

• The Big Lie About Public Schools teleconference

• Truth About Public Schools website

Explaining and clarifying

• What Is a School Board? (publication, session, and webcast)

• A Call to Service for prospective school board members

• My Texas Public School website

• Texas Tribune Future of Public Ed symposium (co-sponsor)

• Social media campaigns

• TASB Talks podcast

• Publications, brochures, videos, and more

Pasadena ISD students in 2014 were among thousands throughout the years who have shown thanks to school board members during School Board Recognition Month, initiated by TASB in 1993. (Photo courtesy of Pasadena ISD)

Expanding school marketing efforts

• Speakers’ kit to help board members share good news with community groups

• Texas PRExpress (renamed CommLink) service for districts with limited public information capabilities

• Training on how to market your school

• Infographics of good news messages for school district use

Recognizing public ed supporters

• School Board Recognition Month

• Employer Commendation program

• Media Honor Roll

• Superintendent of the Year Award

• Business Recognition program and Business Education Forum

• James B. Crow Innovation in Governance Award

Collaborating with other supporters

• Texas Association of School Administrators

• Texas School Public Relations Association

• Texas Association of School Business Officials

• Texas Caucus of Black School Board Members

• Mexican American School Boards Association

• Friends of Texas Public Schools

• Raise Your Hand Texas

Good News

Every year, Texas Lone Star honors some of the recent accomplishments of public school students across the state in a special “good news” issue. This issue shines a well-deserved spotlight on the powerful benefits of public education in Texas. Here are a few magazine covers from previous years.

Strong Local Governance

Jim Rice, who served as TASB president in 2020-21, speaks at txEDCON21. (TASB Archives)

Policy Service Division Director Amanda Bigbee, pictured center in the green Policy Service T-shirt, is surrounded by her team at a TASB event in January. (TASB Archives)

Strong Local Governance

TASB Legal and Policy Services empower members

Growing up in the small town of Sundown, Amanda Bigbee appreciated the education she received at the local school district, which had fewer than 500 students. At Sundown ISD, where her dad was a principal and chief financial officer, she fondly remembers how everyone went the extra mile to show students the world beyond West Texas with engaging curriculum and field trips.

“Having those roots made me even more excited to come to TASB,” said Bigbee, who joined the Association as the Policy Service division director in November 2023 after serving more than 15 years as general counsel at Keller ISD, a suburban North Texas district of about 34,000 students.

Through her personal and professional experiences, Bigbee has come to understand the needs of districts like little Sundown and growing Keller — and how TASB can help each district to better serve its students and surrounding communities. She also knows that district needs vary.

“The smaller districts don’t have the opportunity to have an in-house attorney or a policy contact specifically doing policy all day,” she said. “Knowing I can help them is so important to me.”

As a key member of TASB’s Policy Service and Legal Services teams, Bigbee is part of a long legacy of providing support to member school boards dating back to the Association’s earliest years.

Priority services

James Redmond, who served as TASB president in 1952-54, talked about the importance of high-quality information concerning trends in education and legislation at the 1953 convention. TASB, he said, “offers the factual knowledge which enables a school board member to create a solid background for his actions. Through research and through the pooling of experiences, our Association gives to local school boards this information which would be too costly and too time-consuming for any individual school board to gather.”

Policy and legal services were among the top priorities in the Association’s earliest days, but those services both took on more significant roles in the 1970s.

In 1975, the 64th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1126, requiring every district to be accredited through the Texas Education Agency by the 1977-78 school year. As part of this accreditation process, each school board was required to develop and codify policies that govern the district’s operations. Those policies then had to be shared with all school employees and the public.

Between Aug. 1, 2023, and June 10, 2024, Policy Service conducted

66 policy review sessions

Policy Online® is used by

1,015

school districts, three special districts (such as the Texas School for the Deaf), the Harris County Department of Education, and 20 education service centers.

Policy Service 2024 subscribers include

1,019

school districts, special school districts (such as the Texas School for the Deaf and The UT High School Special Purpose District (UTHSD)), and the Harris County Department of Education.

Between Aug. 1, 2023, and June 10, 2024, Policy Service processed

1,787 updates to local district policies.

This brought on a more significant role for Policy Service, which had largely been a legal information clearinghouse up until that time. Policy Service began creating the Policy Reference Manual, which addressed districts’ need for regulatory information and model policies to support local policy decisions. The manual premiered in the summer of 1976 with TASB’s distinctive and proprietary alpha coding system.

“Legal Services and Policy Service are really core to the benefits of a TASB membership,” said Dan Troxell, TASB executive director. “School boards and their districts can be assured they are receiving expert legal and policy information that can give them the tools to strengthen local governance. That’s been the goal from the beginning — to empower boards to make the best decisions for their school communities.”

The Policy Reference Manual represented a comprehensive catalog of statutory and case law passages affecting local governance and offered model local policies for districts to adapt to their own needs. Also in 1976, Policy Service staff created the first localized policy manuals that were reviewed by TASB staff lawyers for 10 subscribing districts.

In 1977, the revised Policy Reference Manual was completed and sent to the 300 subscribing members, prompting significant changes in the way districts did business. The specificity of the policy manuals strengthened school board decision making and served as a source of information and transparency for the larger district community. District policy manuals maintained through TASB continue to provide vital information to the public about educational goals, parents’ rights, and district priorities.

Working in tandem

The Legal Services division officially kicked off in January 1978, though staff attorneys had already been assisting Policy Service as legal reviewers. Gradually, members began to consult TASB attorneys on a variety of issues that required legal research, so Legal Services expanded to meet those needs. Attorneys would receive five to eight telephone calls daily from members. Today, that number has increased exponentially. The Legal Services team fielded more than 3,200 calls in the past year, while also presenting at workshops and writing summaries of important legal developments.

The work of Legal Services spikes during a legislative year with a thorough review of every bill passed by the Texas Legislature, even those that may not seem focused on public education at first glance. The goal is to identify any potential impacts and communicate those insights to school attorneys and district leaders across the state.

“Our members can be assured that we are doing a comprehensive legal review and identifying any items that could have an impact at the district level,” said TASB Education Counsel Joy Baskin. “We know districts

The Policy Service team works together on updating the policy manual in 1982. (TASB Archives)

don’t have the time or money to hire outside attorneys to do this work, so subscribing to TASB Legal Services provides this benefit.”

In 2023, the team reviewed 264 bills from the 88th Texas Legislature and drafted two comprehensive guides to provide TASB members and school officials a way to stay ahead of legislative changes and mandates. In addition to written resources, the Legal Services team offers post-legislative training for school attorneys that provides a deep dive into the legislative session, as well as an opportunity for attendees to connect and discuss critical school law issues across Texas.

Bigbee said when she was at Keller ISD, attending the post-legislative seminar provided valuable insights and connections that helped her give the best possible support to her district.

“We could go back to our districts in a way you absolutely could not do on your own,” she said. “It enabled you to get to a place where you could implement new policies and regulations by September 1 that would be impossible otherwise.”

Additional support and training

In addition to the post-legislative seminar, Legal Services and Policy Service provide training and updates for board members and administrators throughout the year. The Legal and Policy teams present at TASB signature events, including txEDCON and Summer Leadership Institute. Legal Services also hosts its own annual training event, the Fall Legal Seminars, which are held at locations across the state. To ensure geography is never a barrier to participation, the teams also participate in Spring Workshops held every year in locations across Texas.

“Legal and policy updates are some of the most popular sessions we offer at TASB events,” said Jackie Clark Spencer, division director of TASB Events. “Our participating members rely on the expertise they get at these sessions to make informed decisions back home.”

Although trustees and district leaders are key audiences for TASB policy and legal sessions, the teams also spend time with administrative assistants who serve boards and superintendents. Legal and policy topics are popular at the TASB Conference for Administrative Professionals, held twice each year.

Legal Services read and categorized over

2,000 bills from the 88th Texas Legislature, summarizing and incorporating 264 bills that affected schools into policy and legal resources.

“I feel more confident going home and taking care of my job responsibilities,” said Rebecca Furlough, who was new to her role this year as administrative assistant to the superintendent at Terrell ISD-Kaufman County, a district of 5,000 students east of Dallas. She attended her first TASB conference in February and said she particularly appreciated the insights from the sessions on top legal questions and the fundamentals of district policy.

Legal Services also provides guidance and connections for school attorneys across the state via the Texas Council of School Attorneys, developed in 1978. Made up of attorneys who represent Texas public school districts, the goal of the CSA is to improve Texas public education by creating connections among school district attorneys. Training and events give way to discussions on school law and the sharing of practices and ideas.

Legal Services staff dress up to update members on the latest educational laws in a crowd-favorite presentation at txEDCON each year. (TASB Archives)

“You can’t really be a school lawyer without being in the CSA,” said Bigbee. “They provide so many resources and allow for alignment within the state. I can’t imagine trying to practice without the tools they provide.”

Critical resources

By 1981, Legal Services had expanded to provide publications on vital topics such as student discipline, employee rights, and school district governance, and published a monthly newsletter.

In 2023-24, TASB Legal Services has received more than

3,200 calls on topics ranging from school district personnel to student discipline and from open meetings to school district elections.

Today, these resources and those produced by Policy Service continue to provide critical insights for school board members, administrators, and school attorneys across Texas. The Model Student Handbook is updated by Policy Service before each school year begins to help districts stay current with changes in state regulations and state and federal laws. Policy Service also publishes a Model Student Code of Conduct to help school boards meet the legal requirement to adopt and publicize a student code of conduct for the district annually.

TASB School Law eSource had more than

75,000 views in 2022-23.

School Law eSource, maintained and updated by TASB Legal Services, is an online database of more than 200 resources on dedicated school law topics. This library, along with School Law Update, the division’s monthly newsletter that provides updates on relevant court cases across the country, helps school attorneys keep up to date with trends and issues related to school law.

For rural schools, which make up the majority of districts in Texas, resources like these are essential. Many smaller districts are unable to afford an in-house attorney and rely on TASB’s legal and policy resources to inform critical decisions. Another way Legal Services provides assistance to smaller districts is by offering telephone consultations for school board members and administrators across the state.

“A distinguishing feature that TASB established from the beginning is that there is a confidential relationship between Legal Services and TASB members,” said Baskin. “Legal Services was established to provide legal advice to school boards and their administrators, not to represent TASB. We are here to help our members.”

Along with confidential legal advice from Legal Services’ attorneys, Policy Review Sessions administered by the Policy Service team help districts keep their policy manuals aligned, an especially useful service for districts that are unable to employ a dedicated policy contact.

“The value of TASB Policy Service is in the personalization and care each policy consultant provides,” said Bigbee.

Supporting local governance

Another valuable resource provided by TASB is Policy Online®, which revolutionized policy development and accessibility for school districts by centralizing policies into a digital platform. Developed over time from single-computer software to harnessing the power of the internet, Policy Online makes it easier for districts to access, update, and customize policies according to their needs. Used by more than a thousand districts and all 20 education service centers, it streamlined the policy work, saving time and resources for administrators and ensuring consistency and compliance across districts.

“The cost saving Policy Online provided districts was significant,” said Gail Ayers, who retired this year after 47 years with Policy Service. “Not only did it save districts copying costs and staff hours necessary to sustain a large number of hard-copy manuals, but it also saved time in finding the right policy with no more uncertainty about whether the policy manual you’re looking at has been correctly maintained.”

New information is provided in numbered updates, which are issued twice a year to help districts comply with changes in laws and regulations. Ayers was at TASB when the first numbered update went out in 1977, and she retired as the Policy Service assistant director as update 123 was releasing in May.

Policy Service and Legal Services constantly monitor recent changes in state and federal law, court cases, and decisions by the attorney general and the commissioner of education to determine policy implications and prepare recommended revisions to district policy manuals.

“Since 1949, when they were incorporated, [TASB has] taken all the legislative laws that have been passed since that time and codified them into the legal policy that every school district must adhere to,” said Jim Rice, a former Fort Bend ISD trustee who served on the TASB board of directors from 2012 to 2022, including as president in 2020-21.

“Now, TASB didn’t write the law, they codified the law and have organized it so it’s a good reference material.” From there, it is up to districts to tweak and make changes to TASB’s proposed local policy language to fit their own school district priorities, said Rice.

Both these foundational TASB services have supported districts through pivotal times over the Association’s long history — from significant school finance changes to natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina to the pandemic.

“I see things from the district side of the story,” Bigbee said. “TASB provides legal support, innovation in policy services, and unwavering dedication to the betterment of schools across the state.”

Legal Assistance Fund

Developed in December 1980, the TASB Legal Assistance Fund was created to lend support to school districts challenged on issues of statewide significance. A joint effort by TASB, the Texas Council of School Attorneys, and the Texas Association of School Administrators, the program started with 80 members, each contributing $200 into a fund.

The Legal Assistance Fund is administered by a seven-member board of trustees made up of TASB’s president, president-elect, and a vice president; the president and president-elect of the Texas Association of School Administrators; and the chair and vice chair of the Texas Council of School Attorneys. The TASB president serves as chair.

Patterned after similar programs in other states, the Legal Assistance Fund in its infancy was able to fund briefs in a few cases involving student discipline and the education of students with disabilities. As membership and the fund grew, so too did the grants for assistance.

In most legal proceedings, the Legal Assistance Fund provides assistance in the form of an amicus curiae, or “friend of the court,” brief. An amicus brief explains to the court why a school district’s legal position should prevail and how the court’s decision will affect other Texas school districts.

LAF’s briefs are written by highly qualified and knowledgeable school attorneys from across the state. These briefs have played an important role in the outcome of several significant court cases affecting public schools.

Over the years, the Legal Assistance Fund has filed hundreds of briefs on diverse topics affecting public schools, including cases involving student discipline, school finance, teacher contracts, First Amendment rights, and numerous other issues.

More than 75% of Texas school districts currently participate in the LAF.

txEDCON Through the Years

txEDCON Through the Years

School leaders’ needs take center stage at annual event

For Mesquite ISD Board President Robert Seward, attending his first TASA | TASB Convention more than three decades ago as a new trustee was an enlightening experience filled with insightful training sessions, inspirational speakers, and meaningful networking opportunities.

“Looking back, that first convention was the spark that set off this amazing journey in educational leadership. It really opened my eyes to the big picture and showed me just how much we can achieve when we put our heads together and speak up for what matters,” said Seward, who served as TASB president in 2008-09.

Seward shared his first convention experience in 1993 with fellow board members and his superintendent, and he has continued to return to the annual event nearly every year since.

“Let me tell you, the TASA | TASB Convention is a big deal for us trustees and school leaders — and that’s putting it mildly! This yearly get-together is like a powerhouse of knowledge, growth, and community all rolled into one,” said Seward. “It’s where the magic happens in shaping Texas education leadership.

“Imagine being in a room buzzing with the latest trends, policies, and best practices in education at your fingertips. It’s an opportunity to gain invaluable tools for advocating effectively for schools and students, while also enhancing your ability to govern at the local level,” he said.

Attending the event through the years allows Seward, and thousands of other trustees and superintendents, to be at the forefront of learning about educational advances and to be part of the evolution of educational leadership.

Focusing on attendees’ needs

In the 1950s, TASB and the Texas Association of School Administrators met separately, but at the same time and place, because the groups found it was beneficial for attendees to the two meetings to travel together, attend their separate events, and then discuss what they learned on the trip home. The two groups did hold a banquet together.

“Looking back, that first convention was the spark that set off this amazing journey in educational leadership. It really opened my eyes to the big picture and showed me just how much we can achieve when we put our heads together and speak up for what matters,”

– Robert

Seward

TASB President,

2008-09

Prompted by then-TASB Executive Director Donald Nugent and then-TASA President Charles Mathews, the two organizations decided to take the power of learning a step further by holding a joint convention in 1960. Organizers from both groups coordinated to provide one program for all participants.

“In the opinions of the participants and planners…the experience was a success,” reported the Texas School Board Newsletter in October 1960. TASA didn’t keep an attendance record for the first event, but TASB reported that 265 trustees from 119 districts had registered.

Over the years, the convention has become the annual destination for public education leaders from around Texas who gather to network, hear from state officials and other leaders, and hone their governance and leadership skills through a range of training sessions. Now called txEDCON, the gathering is the largest assembly of state public education decision makers.

The venue alternates between Texas’ largest cities, the standout student performances vary, and the keynote speakers change, but the focus throughout the past 64 years has remained the same: provide a comprehensive learning experience designed to meet the needs of attendees who want to strengthen their governance and leadership skills as they work to provide the best education possible to their students.

“It’s incredibly inspiring to be surrounded by so many people devoted to public education in Texas,” said TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell. “There is this tremendous power in having us all in one place at one time, learning together and renewing our commitment to the 5.5 million Texas public school students who deserve an excellent education.”

In the beginning

With the theme “New Frontiers in Education,” the first joint convention kicked off on Sept. 24, 1960, in Austin at the Driskill Hotel and Paramount Theater. The registration fee to the two-day event was a dollar, while the banquet fee was $3 and a luncheon cost $2.50.

The convention pamphlet noted the reasoning for the joint endeavor: “To name but a few, we face frontiers in financing education, in administering education, in improving the quality of education through the addition of programs and techniques, in meeting the challenges of a growing school population in an ever-expanding world. All of these frontiers and others pose new problems, and, in many cases, indicate the need for new solutions. It is in the hope that the 1960 Annual Meetings of the Texas Association of School Administrators and the Texas Association of School Boards can help to provide a preview of the ‘New Frontiers in Education’ and a glimpse of the new decisions that we meet in Austin in September 1960.”

Some of the 11 “Topic Group Sessions” covered issues that remain relevant today, including school financing, board-superintendent relations, and the state’s role in public education. There were no exhibits.

Scenes from the 1969 convention.(TASB Archives)

The breakout sessions’ structure was similar to today’s, with a combination of experts in a certain field. For example, the Evaluation of School Programs session featured the Waco ISD superintendent, the dean of the College of Education at The University of Texas, a Midland ISD board member, a staff member from Andress ISD, and Richardson ISD’s superintendent.

At the keynote session, Texas State Commissioner of Education J.W. Edgar gave an address called “New Developments in Texas Public Education.” Roy M. Hall, assistant commissioner for research at the U.S. Office of Education, also spoke to the crowd.

Adding features, changing venues

“That first convention set the tone for decades of successful annual events,” said Jackie Clark Spencer, division director, Events for TASB Communications, Marketing, and Events. “As we continue to enhance the experience each year, we seek input from our members on what they need to help improve their skills as school leaders for the benefit of their students. It’s always about the kids.”

Austin’s new Municipal Auditorium was the site for the second convention. Of the 13 group sessions offered, three were individual forums for large, medium, and small districts. Some 1,200 participants attended, including 330 board members from 160 school districts.

“This convention provides the only opportunity for the local management officials for Texas Public Education to confer together on a statewide basis; to consider the issues and developments facing the schools; and to jointly design constructive approaches to the solution of statewide educational problems,” TASB President W.H.B. Fehl and TASA President J.D. King said in the event’s pamphlet. “We trust that those of us who do meet in Austin September 24 and 25 will return to our schools and communities with new knowledge to enable us to do a better job and new enthusiasm to make our work more challenging and productive. The boys and girls of Texas deserve the best leadership so that this goal may be reached.”

That second event was the first year for commercial exhibits, 42 in all. The next year, organizers added a Texas school architecture exhibit that included one on air-conditioned schools. Both features have continued to grow and evolve each year and are huge attractions at txEDCON.

After being held in Austin for a decade, the convention moved to San Antonio in 1971, where it was held until 1989. Beginning in 1990, the host site alternated between Houston and Dallas for many years. This year, txEDCON24 is being held in San Antonio.

Breakout sessions and special seminars have long been central convention components.

“We’re always learning, and we want that for our members too,” Spencer said. “We work on the agenda through the year, and we’re always laser-focused on understanding and meeting members’ needs. We have always sought their input, and we also get session proposals from members. We want to offer best practices – but we also want to be forward thinkers and offer next practices.”

The wide range of sessions are hosted by district leaders, TASA and TASB staff members, and other education leaders. Access to these deep-learning opportunities has been an important aspect for Teresa Flores, a longtime trustee of the Ingleside ISD board and 2017-18 TASB president.

“I have been attending the TASA | TASB Convention since 1999, which is the year that I was first elected to the board. I chose to attend to educate myself on my new role as I believe that no one is born knowing how to be a school board member, and like any other job, training is required to be able to do the best job you can,” Flores said. “My first convention was a great experience. I remember coming back excited and motivated about all the great ideas that had been presented.”

Flores attended her inaugural gathering and others since with fellow trustees, a common tradition that dates back to the first event and the why behind the gathering: Give school leaders the opportunity to learn together. In addition, networking opportunities with other district officials abound for attendees — formally and informally.

“My first convention was a great experience. I remember coming back excited and motivated about all the great ideas that had been presented.”

– Teresa Flores

TASB President, 2017-18

“Networking is another component. Making friends across the state provides valuable resources when important issues are being addressed. As school boards face many challenges, there is no need to recreate the wheel,” Flores said. “More than likely, your challenge is not unique and there are others who have faced the same issue who can provide insight into what has worked and what has not worked. TASB is the hub of the wheel that brings all of these resources together.”

For Flores, these interactions have been powerful over the years. “It is a great reminder that as we experience challenges and successes in our local districts, we are not alone and have many resources to assist in the needs of our school districts. There is no place else that I can think of where you have that many trustees all together in one place sharing and caring for one another.”

Organizers have worked hard to expand session offerings while also adding seminars and events. Earlybird sessions were added in 1991. A session called Suggested Curriculum for New Board Members came in 1991. TASB created the Small District Seminar in 2007 specifically for those district leaders. There have been several iterations of training sessions designed for new school board members and for board officers over the years. There also have been educational field trips and other events.

Another convention highlight features special speakers, including many state leaders such as Govs. John Connally, Preston Smith, Dolph Briscoe, Ann Richards, and George W. Bush. Sen. John Tower, R-Texas, addressed the 1967 event. Past gatherings also have sparkled with top entertainers such as Tammy Wynette, B.J. Thomas, and Ronnie Milsap. And there are inspirational general session speakers each time.

Special circumstances

Organizing each convention is a massive undertaking involving many staff members working on the project throughout the year to ensure a smooth operation chock full of learning opportunities — all at a reasonable cost. Spencer notes that TASB works hard to keep costs down for attendees; the event is not a revenue generator for either organization. In fact, fees were waived for TASA and TASB members back in 2011 and 2012 because of the budget cuts that hit districts hard those years.

Among the many logistical challenges faced by organizers is housing. Finding enough rooms within walking distance to the event venue is no easy feat. In the early years, a lottery system was used to allocate those coveted hotel rooms, but modern technology ushered in a more efficient online registration system in 1999. Not everything always goes as planned. Houston was scheduled to be the host site back in 2005 until hurricanes Katrina and Rita wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast. Organizers scrambled successfully to move the gathering to Dallas a month later. There wasn’t time to do a new housing reservation process, so organizers worked with vendor partners to find housing options in Dallas that closely matched those in Houston. They also had to work on booking vendors in the exhibit hall and helping to get their materials shipped from Houston to Dallas since booth materials were on loading docks when the event was postponed.

When COVID-19 shut down the world in 2020, the entire convention became a virtual event, even the exhibit hall. Several opportunities were provided for participants to share their successes and challenges related to the pandemic. It was an unprecedented time. As the pandemic eased, the 2021 convention went back to being held in person.

Highlighting student talent

Among the highlights of the convention each year are district performances that provide a unique opportunity to showcase student talent and give kids the experience of performing before a large gathering. It’s been a longstanding tradition, more than 30 years, to invite the districts of the current TASB and TASA presidents to perform at the event. Students in supporting roles are also given the opportunity to work backstage along with audiovisual experts, so it’s not just the performers who benefit from this experience. Students have provided musical, theatrical, and dance performances, as well as artistic displays. The programming decisions are up to the participating districts.

Back in 2009, when Seward was president, his district was invited to do a student performance at the convention. It’s a special memory for him.

“The highlight was undoubtedly the performance by the Mesquite ISD students. Their presentation was exceptional, truly showcasing the talent nurtured in our public schools. I remember expressing to the audience how incredibly proud we all were, not just of these performers, but of all our students across Texas,” Seward said. “These young people embodied the future of Texas public education.”

Flores had a similar emotional experience regarding her district’s student performance.

“My favorite convention would be 2018 as I completed my term serving as the president of the TASB Board of Directors. I will never forget having the opportunity to showcase my school district and represent all the great things that are happening in our public schools,” she said.

Focus on public education

For both newcomers and those who have been attending for years, even decades, txEDCON continues to be a vital place to focus on public education in Texas and what it means to children, their families, their communities, and the state’s future. It’s a place where attendees thrive in all things public ed.

Bret Begert, board president at Fort Elliott CISD, attended his first convention in 1998. Begert served as TASB president in 2015-16.

“I have enjoyed every convention, from the classes and sessions to Delegate Assembly to bonding with fellow trustees and public education enthusiasts. It comes at an exciting time in the beginning of the school year, and I always learn and feel like it makes me a more educated and productive board member,” Begert said. “Every student’s success is our main goal, and convention provides the training in the board’s role in the process. It is time well spent.”

2013 Coppell ISD trustees Tracy Fisher (l) and Anthony Hill (r) picking up badges at the TASA/TASB Convention. (TASB Archives)

Riding the Technology Wave

Riding the Technology Wave

TASB focus is helping members as tech evolves

Futurist 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 (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 provided initial support, and it was the first of many corporate sponsors over the years.

An integrated computer and videodisc system was chosen to present material in a new way, allowing for more student interaction. Also, TLTG worked hard to educate school personnel about the use of technology.

The physical science curriculum was followed by a chemistry curriculum, an environmental science series, and other award-winning programs.

“TLTG was a pioneer, founded at a time when effective computer-assisted curriculum and learning was limited in Texas public schools,” said Paula Brady, who had been a longtime director of TLTG when it was phased out in 1999.

“The marketplace has changed, with a number of commercial publishers committing to the development of curriculum that more fully integrates technology,” Brady added. “The landscape has changed in part through the vision of TASB and TLTG.”

Sheffield, who served on the school board at Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, has praised TLTG’s innovative efforts.

“To this day, I am still proud of TASB for undertaking this proactive project rather than just sitting back and letting the situation rock along until somebody else made such an effort,” Sheffield said when TLTG ended.

TASBNET and tech services

“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

TLTG Board Member, 1985-94

In 1991, the Texas Education Agency established TENET to introduce Texas educators to the internet and the role of technology in the classroom. Through TENET, educators had access to online library catalogues, educational computer archives, public databases, and instructional hypermedia libraries. Funded through the Long-Range Plan for Technology by the Texas Legislature, TENET was considered 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.

“The landscape has changed in part through the vision of TASB and TLTG.”

– Paula Brady former Director of TLTG

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 access. Eventually, websites and email would become not only greatly accessible but second nature to all.

Another development in the early days of the internet was a TASB offering called TASB Technology Services. Introduced in 1990, the service offered technological support, training, and events for school districts. The help was needed, as Texas public schools had recently been required to create instructional technology plans and to use the statewide electronic information network created for communications from TEA.

Technology Services’ publications advised districts on creating long-range plans, the latest equipment and software, alternative funding strategies, and more, while a consulting service provided hands-on, personalized guidance. Seminars and workshops were held regularly, and events like the Great Technology Show in the early ‘90s incorporated site visits with breakout sessions and exhibits. Later in the decade, the Technology in Schools Conference provided a similar experience, with attendance in 1996 tripling from the previous year.

Continuous help with tech changes

TASB Technology Services eventually phased out as schools became more assimilated to technology, but TASB has never stopped providing information on technology to public schools.

Various vehicles have included the Technology Today column (added to Texas Lone Star in 1991), frequent Legal Services papers and articles, campaigns such as the “Millennium Bug” eradication campaign (informing districts about preparation for Y2K), and resources and training on cybersecurity.

TASB staff member Sherry Moore sharing information about technology and education at a TASB conference in the 1990s. (TASB Archives)

Two new TASB offerings have emerged in recent years to help members address tech challenges. The Risk Management Fund’s cybersecurity program was introduced in 2022 to help school districts reduce cyberattack threats, and just this year, TASB announced a new wireless infrastructure program, ConnectED Texas, designed to help school 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.

“ 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.”

– Kathy Wetzel

TASB Chief Information Officer

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

Students in the Digital Learning Pavilion at the 2010 TASA/TASB Convention (TASB Archives)

“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 Education Service Center, 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 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.”

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.”

Attendee using a computer station at the 2006 TASA/TASB Convention (TASB Archives)

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

“ We are committed to exploring and testing upcoming technologies so that our members never have to wait for us to get up to speed. We want to be present on new platforms and use the latest technology, even before our members are there.”

– Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield TASB Deputy Executive Director

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 satellite-delivered 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 in-person 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.

TASB Talks podcast broadcasting live from the Learning Lounge at txEDCON 2019 (TASB Archives)

tasb.org: Then and Now

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.”

tasb.org, June 1998 (Internet archive Wayback Machine)

tasb.org, Sept. 2024 (TASB Archives)

TASB Through the Years

Take a journey through the decades to learn about TASB’s long history of supporting its members with high-quality solutions and services.

1947

School Improvement Study

Texas public schools, like all schools across the country, suffer from neglect after the Great Depression and World War II. To study improvements needed, including a more efficient district structure and the reform of public school finance, the Texas Legislature forms the Gilmer-Aikin Committee.

1949

Major Effects From Gilmer-Aikin Laws

The 51st Texas Legislature passes the Gilmer-Aikin laws, which will reorganize state administration and establish the Foundation School Program and the Texas Education Agency. School districts are consolidated in the interest of higher efficiency and better funding.

The Founding of TASB

In November, a small group of school trustees gathers in Austin to charter the Texas Association of School Boards. The purpose of the nonprofit organization is to educate Texas school board members about their roles and responsibilities, inform them about education issues, and help them provide input on improving public education in Texas.

1950

TASB’s First Publication

TASB releases the first issue of Texas School Board Newsletter (the first TASB publication for members) in March.

The First Convention

On November 24, TASB holds its first convention. Board members from across the state attend three sessions and a business meeting in San Antonio. Membership grows from 26 to 170 by the end of the year.

1951

Texas Committee of 10

The Texas Committee of 10 is established, with five representatives each from TASB and the Texas Association of School Administrators. Their goal is to study the working relationships between trustees and superintendents.

1952

Resources for School Boards

TASB publishes the premiere version of its Handbook for Texas School Board Members.

1960

The First TASA | TASB Convention

TASB and TASA hold their first joint convention, enabling a more robust selection of topics.

1965 Council Established

TASB develops the Texas Council for Public Education, a liaison group made up of presidents and executive officers of major organizations and state agencies that deal with public education.

1970

1967

Members Form Delegate Assembly

TASB members hold their first Delegate Assembly on Sept. 23 in Austin, after voting to create it in 1966. At the Assembly, members determine the overall direction of the organization — from electing who will serve on the TASB Board to approving education issues that will be included in the TASB Advocacy Agenda.

1970

Outreach to Legislators

The first TASB legislative program is established. Weekly legislative reports to members begin the next year, and in 1974 the first Legislative Network will include at least one trustee from each school district in the interest of expanding outreach to legislators on education issues.

Field Reps Cover the State

Field Services takes form as TASB staff begin to support school districts going through the policy development process. In 1991, Field Services representatives will be dispersed into regional offices throughout the state to serve as a primary resource for information about TASB programs.

Policy Service Begins

Although TASB has assisted members with policy issues since the early years, the Association begins phasing in the official Policy Service division over a four-year period to develop model policies, form a policy clearinghouse, and provide an updating service for districts. A comprehensive Policy Reference Manual will premier in 1976, when legislation requires all school boards to codify policies that govern school operations. Localized policy manuals for districts will also be created that year.

TASB Immediate Past President Armando Rodriguez at Delegate Assembly 2024. (TASB Archives)

1974

Workers’ Comp Fund Established

After the Texas Legislature passes SB 283, requiring districts to provide workers’ compensation for all employees, TASB creates the Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Fund, essentially beginning TASB risk management services. (It will continue as one of many offerings of the TASB Risk Management Fund in the future.)

1977

Assistance With Unemployment Compensation

TASB establishes the Unemployment Compensation Group Account, offering services tailored to school districts, as districts are now required by law to provide the coverage.

1978

GR Leads Advocacy Efforts

The advocacy arm of TASB has always been in place but begins to be identified as Governmental Relations this year with the publication of TASB Legislative News and staff representation of school district views at legislative committee meetings.

Getting the Word Out

Informing members has been a critical TASB function since the beginning, but in 1978 the Communications division is defined. Besides promoting public education through campaigns and recognition programs, Communications will eventually extend its reach to members through the magazine, website, social media, and other channels.

Legal Services Formed

Attorneys have already been assisting Policy Service as legal reviewers when, as Legal Services, they begin assisting members with issues that require legal research, presentations, and written summaries of legal developments.

1979

Assisting School Board Development

Training has been a function of TASB from the beginning, under different divisions, but in 1979 it is designated as its own division, Education Services. Later iterations will include Leadership Team Services and Board Development Services, providing not only training for school trustees but also consulting services, conferences/events, and information resources.

1980

Assisting Schools With Legal Challenges

The TASB Legal Assistance Fund, a joint effort by TASB, the Texas Association of School Administrators, and the TASB Council of School Attorneys, is created to support school districts that are defending legal challenges with the potential to affect public schools statewide.

1982

Additional Risk Coverage Formed

Because school districts are having trouble purchasing property/casualty insurance (premiums are high and options limited in the commercial market), TASB forms another self-insurance program, the Property/ Casualty Joint Account.

A Member Magazine

Texas Lone Star magazine debuts, replacing the quarterly Texas School Board Journal and newsletters from various divisions.

1983

Texas School Services Foundation

The Texas School Services Foundation is created as a nonprofit organization to function as a separate legal entity administering services in the risk management area. By 1987, TASB and TSSF will begin combining some common services (such as communications and data processing) to benefit members. When an IRS ruling in 1999 clears the way for streamlining TASB’s structure into one entity, TASB and TASB, Inc., merge to become one entity: TASB.

1984

New Service for Personnel Management

Although TASB has previously assisted members with personnel relations, in 1984 TASB and TASA develop Personnel Services jointly to provide specialized services for personnel management in education, as many HB 72 measures are affecting personnel. Localized consulting services will begin in 1986. Eventually, the service will be solely administered by TASB and will acquire a new name, HR Services.

Recognizing Superintendents

TASB debuts the Superintendent of the Year recognition program.

TASB 2024-25 President Rolinda Schmidt (left), TASB Executive Director (center) Dan Troxell, and Kerrville ISD Board of Trustees in 2008 when Troxell won the award. (TASB Archives)

1985

Texas Learning Technology Group

Because math and science education are lacking, TASB creates the Texas Learning Technology Group, in partnership with the National Science Center Foundation and 12 Texas school districts. The goal is to involve educational groups in the integration of new technologies into curriculum delivery systems, evaluate their effectiveness, and provide support to schools in teaching technology. A physical science curriculum using interactive videodisc technology is created and will have several years of success nationwide.

1985

1986

Keeping Track of Credit Hours

Continuing education credit is offered for the first time at the 1986 TASA | TASB Convention, as the passing of HB 72 requires school trustees to receive 20 hours of accredited training in 12 standards set by the State Board of Education. TASB creates a continuing education credit database for all Texas board members in 1986. In 2001, members will be able to access this data online through the TASB Continuing Education Credit Reporting Service.

1987

School Cash Management

TASB develops the Texas School Cash Management Program, responding to scant funding provided by HB 72 and the necessity of school districts to stretch already limited funds to meet mandates.

TCER Advances Education Research

In response to the Edgewood ruling on school finance in 1987, TASB establishes the Texas Center for Educational Research to serve as an independent research facility providing reliable, unbiased information on school finance and other education topics.

1988

School Building Compliance and Planning

An environmental program for school districts is created in response to increased regulations for public buildings and will eventually expand into facilities planning. The name of this TASB service will become Facility Services in 2016.

Superintendent Search Support

TASB begins assisting school districts with superintendent selection, initially as Superintendent Search Services and later as Executive Search Services.

1990

SLI Is Launched

The first TASB Summer Leadership Institute is held in Austin, blending two events offered in the late 1980s: Preparation for Leadership and Board Presidents and New Board Members Institute.

1993

Helping Leaders Grow

Leadership TASB, a program designed to allow experienced school board trustees to be proactive, visionary leaders who promote educational excellence for Texas public schoolchildren, launches with its first cohort.

Special Education Solutions

1991

Investment Pool for Schools

The Lone Star Investment Pool, a TASB affiliated entity, is created to help school districts maximize investment income to benefit educational improvements.

Grassroots Advocacy

To further advocacy efforts, TASB initiates regional Grassroots Meetings, held in even-numbered years. Members gather at these meetings to discuss issues that will eventually be crafted into TASB Advocacy Agenda priorities, which guide TASB during the legislative session.

A year after the School Health and Related Services program is implemented, TASB begins to assist school districts in documenting their student services and recouping eligible funds through SHARS and Medicaid Administrative Claiming. The service will eventually be known as Special Education Solutions.

Recognizing School Boards

A new TASB program, School Board Recognition Month, gives parents and students the opportunity to thank school board members for their invaluable dedication and service.

1996

Online Policy Assistance

Policy Online becomes the first interactive application on the TASB website.

1997

Risk Management Fund Created

With origins in 1974, when the TASB Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Fund was established, TASB risk management programs are combined into one multi-line fund called the TASB Risk Management Fund (a TASB affiliated entity). Coverages include employee benefits, property/casualty, unemployment compensation, and workers’ compensation.

1998

Purchasing Help With BuyBoard

TASB, in conjunction with Region 2 ESC, Texas Municipal League, and service contractor Ambac Connect, Inc., creates the Texas Local Government Statewide Purchasing Cooperative and introduces a customized electronic purchasing system, BuyBoard.® The next year, TASB will assume ownership (it is now a TASB affiliated entity).

Advocacy Efforts Strengthen

The TASB School Board Advocacy Network opens to school board members from across the state.

2001

New Electricity Pool

2002

Convenient Training

TASB launches the Online Learning Center so that members can receive training at their convenience in their own home or office.

BoardBook® Assists With Meeting Prep

Created in response to an increasing demand for paperless board meetings, BoardBook® is designed to help school boards reduce time and costs associated with compiling and distributing board meeting agendas and materials. A new version, BoardBook® Premier, will appear in 2019.

2003

First Public Created

TASB creates an electricity aggregation pool to offer member school districts better rates than they could receive flying solo in the state’s newly deregulated electricity marketplace.

First Public, a TASB affiliated entity, is introduced as a financial services company that offers expanded financing and investing services for school districts. Its precursor was TASB Financial Services. A wholly owned subsidiary of TASB, First Public offers the Lone Star Investment Pool and TASB Benefits Cooperative. 1997

2006

Training for Administrative Staff

TASB welcomes nearly 200 administrative professionals to its first TASB Administrative Professionals Conference.

2007

Employee Benefits for District Staff

The TASB Benefits Cooperative, a TASB affiliated entity associated with employee-/employer-paid benefits for school districts since 2002 and fully formed in 2007, is administered by First Public. (Previously, an Employee Benefits Joint Account was offered through TASB Risk Management.)

DataCentral for Personnel Managers

TASB HR Services launches DataCentral, an online data tool for creating customized survey reports on salaries.

2008

Electricity and Energy Services

The TASB Energy Cooperative, a TASB affiliated entity, is created to help governmental entities with the procurement of electricity, transportation fuels, and other energy products, commodities, and services.

SLI Expands

To accommodate growing participation, TASB begins hosting the Summer Leadership Institute conference in two locations, San Antonio and Fort Worth.

2009

The Star Keeps Members up to Date

TASB’s electronic newsletter for members, The Star, debuts to complement Texas Lone Star magazine with important reminders and updates on deadlines, events, and education news.

2010

BuyBoard Goes National

The BuyBoard National Purchasing Cooperative is created as a service to governmental entities outside of Texas.

2011

Assistance During Funding Crisis

TASB responds to the state’s school funding crisis by waiving registration fees to key training events in the upcoming fiscal year. Also, the TASB Risk Management Fund freezes rates, reducing costs an additional 10% through the use of Members’ Equity Credits, and provides a two-year rate guarantee for most Fund members.

2012

Serving Community Colleges

TASB has served community colleges since its inception in 1949, originally as entities governed by member school districts and later as independent educational institutions, with the first joining in 1974. In 2012, enhanced services are formed and defined as Community College Services.

Student Video Contest Debuts

The TASB Student Video Contest debuts, encouraging Texas public school students to create short videos showing why their schools are outstanding. The contest, held every other year, awards cash prizes to winning school districts.

2017

A New Podcast

The podcast TASB Talks joins the list of TASB sources of information, featuring Texas education experts and focusing on subjects of interest to school leaders.

2020

Service to Members During Pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic causes schools to shut down, TASB begins to transition conferences, workshops, and programs to a virtual format for members, while Legal Services produces numerous FAQ documents related to COVID-19 and HR Services produces 180 articles for the HR Exchange newsletter.

Additional Support for Special Populations

TASB introduces Student Solutions, offering a broad range of services for staff involved with special populations in schools. Services include program reviews, staffing analysis, professional development, and customized support.

2023

Training New Trustees

TASB Board Development Services launches the Texas Trustee Institute, an immersive learning experience designed to support new trustees.

2024 2024

TASB Celebrates 75th Anniversary

TASB celebrates its 75th year as the premier member association serving school boards in Texas with a special year-long project in its flagship magazine Texas Lone Star, to dive into key moments and topics in association history.

TASB Presidents from the Beginning

1949-50 Ray K. Daily, Houston ISD

1950-52 Willie I. Kocurek, Austin ISD

1952-54 James A. Redmond, Beaumont ISD

1954-56 Mose W. Glosserman, Lockhart ISD

1956-57 Mrs. Will (Margaret) Miller, Corsicana ISD

1957-58 George S. Gandy, Wheeler ISD

1958-59 Ted Andress, El Paso ISD

1959-60 Arch H. McCulloch, Highland Park ISD (Dallas)

1960-61 W.H.B. Fehl, South Park ISD (Beaumont)

1961-63 George C. Guthrie, San Antonio ISD

1963-65 Lee Ragsdale, Jacksonville ISD

1965-67 John E. Meade, Bonham ISD

1967-69 Harold R. Yeary, Laredo ISD

1969-70 W.T. Crouch, Tarrant County

1970-71 Laura T. Doing, Wichita Falls ISD

1971-72 Calvin R. Guest, Bryan ISD

1972-73 Albert D. Brown, Jr., North East ISD (San Antonio)

1973-74 Shirley A. Hall, Weatherford ISD

1974-75 Will D. Davis, Austin ISD

1975-76 Ross O. Borrett, Ysleta ISD

1976-77 Charles Waters, Lubbock ISD

1977-78 Tess Norris, San Marcos ISD

1978-79 Franklin Bass, Corpus Christi ISD

1979-80 Charles Whiteside, Kilgore ISD

1980-81 Paul K. McCash, Jr., Texarkana ISD

1981-82 Floyd H. Myers, Clear Creek ISD

1982-83 Julianan Cowden, Alvarado ISD

1983-84 Harris Hill, Garland ISD

1984-85 John Quisenberry, Ector County ISD

1985-86 Oscar G. Hernandez , San Antonio ISD

1986-87 W. Dee Hilton, Jr., Greenville ISD

1987-88 Janis F. Petronis, Copperas Cove ISD

1988-89 Byron F. Black, Burleson ISD

1989-90 Charles Wade, Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD

1990-91 Patti A. Clapp, Richardson ISD

1991-92

1992-93

1993-94

1994-95

1995-96

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-00

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

2024-25

Amber M. Yeary, Laredo ISD

Charles L. Lowry, Mount Vernon ISD

Jim E. Nelson, Ector County ISD

Lynn Allen, Hico ISD

Ken Lloyd, Spring Branch ISD

Jannis Hayers, Electra ISD

David Sublasky, Fabens ISD

George H. McShan, Harlingen CISD

John R. McInnis, Arlington ISD

Troy W. Simmons, Longview ISD

Carlos E. Nieto, Presidio ISD

Rick Ogden, Aldine ISD

Bonnie Longnion, Humble ISD

Robert Sepulveda, Weslaco ISD

Katie Reed, Northside ISD, Bexar County

Jim Ash, Arlington ISD

Renard Thomas, Angleton ISD

Robert Seward, Mesquite ISD

Sarah Winkler, Alief ISD

Sylvester Vasquez, Jr., Southwest ISD

Gary W. Inmon, Schertz-CiboloUniversal City ISD

Viola M. Garcia, Aldine ISD

Faye Beaulieu, Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD

Andra Self, Lufkin ISD

Bret Begert, Fort Elliott CISD

Charles R. Stafford, Denton ISD

Teresa Flores, Ingleside ISD

James de Garavilla, Silsbee ISD

Lee Lentz-Edwards, Kermit ISD

Jim Rice, Fort Bend ISD

Ted Beard, Longview ISD

Debbie Gillespie, Frisco ISD

Armando Rodriguez, Canutillo ISD

Rolinda Schmidt, Kerrville ISD

TASB Board of Directors

(As of Oct. 1, 2024)

TASB Board Officers

Rolinda Schmidt

TASB President Kerrville ISD

Tony Hopkins

TASB President-Elect Friendswood ISD

Mary Jane Hetrick

TASB First Vice President Dripping Springs ISD

Dan Micciche

TASB Second Vice President Dallas ISD

Sylvia Sánchez Garza Secretary-Treasurer South Texas ISD

Armando Rodriguez

Immediate Past President Canutillo ISD

Moises Alfaro Mathis ISD

Rose Avalos Aldine ISD

Carlos Bentancourt Slaton ISD

Lynn Boswell Austin ISD

Darlene Breaux Alief ISD

Steve Brown Ector County ISD

Marlene Bullard Tornillo ISD

Kevin A. Carbó Mesquite ISD

Justin Chapa Arlington ISD

Julie Cole Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD

Thomas Darden Cooper ISD

Dynette Davis Frisco ISD

Angela Lemond Flowers Houston ISD

Rebecca Fox Katy ISD

Ginger Friesenhahn East Central ISD

Linda Gooch Sunnyvale ISD

Angie Hanan Fort Bend ISD

Carol Harle Northside ISDBexar County

Bryan Holubec Thrall ISD

Tricia Ikard Maypearl ISD

Mark Lukert Wichita Falls ISD

Raymond P. Meza San Felipe Del Rio CISD

Steven Newcom Eagle MountainSaginaw ISD

Nicholas Phillips Nederland ISD

Quinton “Q” Phillips Fort Worth ISD

Margaret Pruett Victoria ISD

Beth Prykryl New Caney ISD

TASB Executive Directors

1949-51 A.L. Chapman

1951-52 Bascom Hayes

1952-55 Roy Hall

1955-68 Donald Nugent

1968-77 Cecil Rusk

1978-90 Orbry Holden

1991-1995 Billy D. Walker

1995-2021 James B. Crow

2021-Present Dan Troxell

Tony Raymond Sabine ISD

Keri Roberts Goldthwaite CISD

Alison

Busse Savage Lyford CISD

Rich Sena Boerne ISD

Cindy Spanel Highland Park ISDPotter County

David Sublasky Region 19 Education Service Center

Theresa Wagaman Conroe ISD

Greg Welch Clyde CISD

Acknowledgments

The contents of this book, A Legacy of Excellence, A Future of Possibility, were first published in the 2024 issues of Texas Lone Star, TASB’s flagship publication. Each month in TLS, we honored 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. These in-depth articles, and accompanying photographs and graphics, highlighted the significant people, events, legislation, and issues that have shaped public education in Texas. This year-long project, now a book, reflects how TASB and school leaders have collaborated over the decades to promote educational excellence for all Texas schoolchildren.

I want to sincerely thank all of the TASB staff members who helped produce this book. First, I want to acknowledge Sylvia Wood, TASB’s division director for Communications and Content, and Melissa Locke Roberts, a retired TASB staff member, for their efforts to develop a year-long plan to chronicle the important events and people in TASB’s history. They not only conceptualized how to tackle this project, but also wrote and edited some of the stories included in this book.

My thanks also to Laura Tolley, TLS managing editor, who edited all the stories to ensure a consistent style while also jumping in to author some of the articles. In addition, I want to acknowledge writers Bethena Griesmer, Mary Ann Lopez, and Leslie Trahan for their efforts in creating interesting and informative content, and Theresa Gage-Dieringer for her expert copy editing.

TASB’s design lead on this history project was Shu-in Powell. I want to thank her and other designers Chris Ramirez, Vanessa Diamos, and John Pyle for their creative contributions to this project. In addition, Stephany Wagner-Thornhill, division director for Brand & Marketing Communications, provided excellent guidance in creating this book. And Lalo Garcia, manager of TASB Media Services, and Zachary Roberts, media specialist, compiled the many historical photos that were essential to illustrating these stories. The finished book would not have been possible without the expertise of our TASB Printing Services team led by Christina Velasquez.

I also want to acknowledge all current and retired TASB staff who provided historical information and guidance for these stories. A special thank you to Karen Strong, former associate executive director of communications and public relations at TASB, who provided both encouragement and insights. Most importantly, I want to thank the many TASB members who we interviewed for these stories. They provided vital information and keen insight into various historical aspects of the Association.

This book could not have been created without all of their help. I am grateful to each one for adding this project to their schedules so that we could honor TASB’s 75th anniversary by chronicling its history and contributions to school boards and their districts.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield Deputy Executive Director, TASB

Our mission is to promote educational excellence for Texas public schoolchildren through advocacy, visionary leadership, and high-quality services to school districts.

The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) was established in 1949 — a landmark year for public education in Texas. After years of neglect due to the Depression and World War II, schools in the Lone Star State were finally the focus of needed reform that year via the Gilmer-Aikin laws enacted by the Texas Legislature. The same laws established the Texas Education Agency as the state’s administrative agent to supervise the public school system.

Leading up to that year of change, a small group of school trustees in the Houston area had been meeting to discuss the formation of a state association of local school board members. They wanted local school boards across the state to be able to share experiences and information with each other and to form a unified voice that supported and promoted public education.

In November 1949, their dreams were realized. Approximately 100 trustees gathered in Fort Worth to establish the new nonprofit member organization that would initially serve 26 school districts. Today, TASB serves nearly all school boards in Texas. With headquarters located in Austin, TASB serves every region of the state.