Looking Back and Ahead

It seems like just days ago when Armando Rodriquez, now TASB’s Immediate Past President, passed the president’s gavel to me at Delegate Assembly during txEDCON24 in San Antonio. Delegate Assembly is one of my favorite TASB experiences because it offers all members the opportunity to have a direct and equal voice in the determination of TASB priorities. We come together in one big room, united in a common purpose: to provide the best education possible to Texas students.  This meeting was officially established at the annual convention in 1966, and it is an important part of TASB’s history. Throughout the year, we have been honoring TASB’s 75th anniversary in the pages of Texas Lone Star by writing about the positive impact the Association has had on Texas public schools. Now, just two months later, we are at year’s end — a perfect time to reflect on not just this past year but those 75 years of rich TASB history as we prepare for the one ahead.

Dedicated Service to Schools

As I think about the past year, TASB’s anniversary, and the challenges ahead, I want to take a moment to thank you, our dedicated school board members. Through the years, thousands of Texans have served tirelessly as locally elected school board members across our great state, dedicating countless hours overseeing budgets, programs, and proposals. They also patiently and intently listen to parents, teachers, and community members, and they advocate on behalf of their districts to local and state leaders, among many other responsibilities. I want to thank you for your service and commitment to Texas schoolchildren. TASB has been a trusted partner to school boards every step of the way, offering services to enhance local governance and lessen the burden of government on school districts.

Upcoming Legislative Session

Many of us have an eye on the next legislative session, which begins in January. I think we can all agree it will be a pivotal one for public education in Texas. TASB and its members are prepared. Together, we have spent this year building the Advocacy Agenda, which was voted on at Delegate Assembly and will guide our advocacy work during the next two years. As TASB President, I am honored to advocate on behalf of all Texas public schools and tell lawmakers and others about the great work we are doing on behalf of our students. Texas public schools greatly benefit children, their families, communities, and the state’s economy. TASB staff members have been working hard to prepare for the challenges ahead. But we also need your help in advocating for public schools. There is power in a united, amplified voice!

One way TASB helps you prepare for your role in advocating for your students is through weekly legislative reports prepared during the session and emailed to all School Board Advocacy Network members. TASB Governmental Relations staff track bills affecting public education and keep trustees and superintendents informed on important legislative news so you can successfully speak out on issues of importance to your school district and Texas public schoolchildren in general. If you’re not already an SBAN member, I urge you to visit the TASB SBAN webpage and join.

Honoring our Work

I love quotes. I find them inspiring, and I often think of certain ones in my work as a school board member. One of my favorites is, "Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time." It’s by Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life. I imagine we can all agree that our time as a school board member is both exhausting and rewarding. There are no words to adequately convey the sense of wonder we feel when we are serving our students. It’s what keeps us going through the long hours and missed time with family and friends.

Watching our students achieve on so many levels fills our hearts and strengthens our commitment to excellence in education. Take a moment to reflect on how you spent your time this past year and consider what you might do differently in the coming year. The TASB leadership and staff are also reflecting on and exploring how we can best serve public education.