Spring is a Busy Season for Texas School Leaders

Spring is a special time here in the Texas Hill Country, where the fields, yards, and roadsides are ablaze with color. Swaths of wildflowers greet us daily — on the drive to work, over to the grocery store, and even on the way to a school event or board meeting. I like to pause and let the natural beauty sink in. But it’s just for a moment because spring also is a busy time in public education, especially this year with the ongoing legislative session. So much is happening on campuses and with school boards across Texas.

It’s also been a busy time here at TASB. The TASA | TASB Legislative Conference was held in Austin in mid- February, with close to 300 school board members and administrators in attendance. We heard insights from legislators, Capitol insiders, and Association staff about how the 89th legislative session will affect our students, staff, and schools. Among the morning’s speakers were Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Edu-cation Committee Chair Brad Buckley (R-Salado), Texas State Comptroller Glenn Hegar, and Reps. James Talarico (D-Austin) and Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston). Ross Ramsey — writer, speaker, and co-founder of the Texas Tribune — shared his thoughts on the session, and Robert Borden, chief executive officer of the Texas Permanent School Fund Corp., provided background on his role directing all operations and investment activities of the Fund.

On to the Capitol

Attendees spent the afternoon at the Capitol visiting legislators and staff and sharing information on how pending legislation could affect local public schools and their communities. Shortly after our day at the Capitol, I had the privilege of joining Dan Micciche, TASB second vice president and a Dallas ISD trustee, TASB Director Kevin A. Carbó, and Tricia Ikard, a former TASB Director and former Maypearl ISD trustee, in a presentation on TASB services to members of the North Texas Area Association of School Boards (NTAASB.) We had a robust and engaging con- versation on some of the issues affecting public education — school choice, basic allotment, teacher pay, special education, and student discipline. I want to thank NTAASB President Julie Cole, a TASB Director and vice president of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD school board, for the invitation and hospitality. A heart- felt thanks to TASB staff who helped in the development of the presentation.

I also attended the inaugural Leadership TASB Connect & Ignite Conference in Austin with about 100 LTASB alumni. Robert Long, division director of TASB Board Development Services, emceed the event, which featured speakers who discussed the legislative process and advocacy tips for Capitol visits. Alumni teams spent the afternoon visiting the offices of the newly elected freshman members of the House and Senate.

The day’s events ended with an alumni reunion banquet. Next, TASB hosted Governance Camp in Galveston, where trustees, teachers, and students came together to learn from each other. The scholarship finalist panel was a highlight. And across Texas, regional Spring Workshops are underway with relevant topics selected by school boards in each region.

School Board Elections

May elections are almost upon us and many school board seats are on ballots. As trustees, we’ve been the newbie, and we’ve welcomed incoming members over the years. It’s all part of public service and our commitment to students. But working together takes work. My friend Robert Seward, a past TASB President and current president of the Mesquite ISD school board, recently shared with me his thoughts on board leadership, and I want to share them with you: “A board’s success hinges on trust, communication, and a collective commitment to good governance.”

Seward’s sound advice is important for school boards. With the goal of “fostering a board climate brimming with positivity,” his approach to leadership is anchored in:

• Fostering a culture of teamwork

• Upholding integrity in all our endeavors

• Engaging in transparent and sincere dialogue

• Encouraging constructive interactions

• Committing to effective communication, underscored by active listening

• Ensuring meticulous preparation and inclusive participation

• Championing shared leadership responsibilities

If you do have changes after the election, a book study on school board governance is one way to get your new team off on the right foot. There are many books for you to consider. My go-to guide on good governance is The Governance Core by Davis Campbell and Michael Fullan. They explain that “to be effective, trustees and superintendents must develop a governance mindset, a shared moral imperative, and unity of purpose, utilizing sound principles and practices — the keys to effective governance.” The best team is the one “working together for excellence for all children.”

Graduation Season

Speaking of excellence, May also begins high school graduation for our 379,000 seniors across Texas. The parental and community pride we see when students walk across that stage compares to no other. For trustees, the long nights, missed family time, and difficult decisions all seem to melt away as we applaud these young adults in their final preparation to leave our nest for dreams and opportunities ahead. Congratulations!