Leadership TASB Members ‘Connect and Ignite’ to Advocate for Students

Gathering to reconnect to purpose and put their advocacy into action, more than 100 Leadership TASB members and alums from across the state met for the inaugural Leadership TASB Connect & Ignite Conference. 

The event, held Feb. 20 in Austin at the Otis Hotel just blocks away from the Texas Capitol and the University of Texas campus, brought the group together for a day of learning and advocacy. 

“I’m so excited about the event as a whole,” said Shelli Conway, LTASB Alumni Board President, LTASB Class of 2020, and former Anna ISD board member. “Our goal is to learn as much as we can about advocating for the students of Texas and go to the Capitol and let our voices be heard for all those students.” 

Robert Long, TASB Board Development Services division director and LTASB program manager told the crowd that the conversations about creating ways to engage LTASB alumni and involve them in advocacy began a year earlier.  

“We hope that today you will lay the foundation for future events like this,” Long told the audience. 

The day-long event included a legislative update from Dax González, TASB division director of Governmental Relations, conversations with former Rep. Jacey Jetton and Rep. James Talarico (D-Austin) who shared their perspectives on advocating and engaging constituents, and a keynote speech from Kristin Tassin, Fort Bend ISD school board president. 

“The whole idea of being reconnected and reignited, in the climate we’re in, there’s no other option but to come together,” said Cornelius Hambrick, LTASB Class of 2024 and a former La Poynor ISD school board member, who added that visiting the Capitol in large numbers was impactful. “Statewide education leaders from districts large and small, there is a similarity in our stories.” 

González shared a legislative update touching on proposed state budgets, pending bills, including Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 3 related to education savings accounts, while also sharing key dates. 

Before the group headed to the Capitol where small groups of the LTASB members would make the rounds visiting offices of newly elected legislators from both parties, Talarico spoke to the group and shared some insights on how to advocate effectively in their home communities. 

“Do not push an agenda, just tell the truth,” Talarico said. “It’s math. What will happen if you don’t get caught up to 2019 levels, what are you going to do in your communities? And I know that is a little scary, but I know you’re having these conversations, so you may as well tell your constituents the truth while they can still do something.” 

Talarico made his visit on a busy day for legislators, as members of the Texas House were introducing an education package. After his departure, the group boarded buses for the short ride to the Capitol.  

Linda Platt-Bryant, LTASB Class of 2020 and president of the West Orange-Cove CISD school board said the program had provided a great learning environment and she appreciated hearing from the speakers.  

“This is my first time advocating at the Capitol directly,” Platt-Bryant said. “I’m looking forward to the experience and possibly seeing my senator.” 

Once there, they split into small groups and headed off to the offices of freshman legislators, with the goal of sharing stories from their districts. 

For Chris Kovatch, LTASB Class of 2024 and an Orangefield ISD school board member, the experience made him feel more prepared to advocate on behalf of his students and district in the future. 

“I had a lot of apprehension, anxiety,” he said. “Am I going to know what to say? Am I prepared? But it has been amazing. It’s natural. I mean, we live in great school [districts] and so it’s just telling the story and letting our passion come through.”