Strength in Numbers: TASB’s 75th Anniversary Ends with Success, Stability

In case you missed it, 2024 marked TASB’s 75th anniversary — three-quarters of a century of steadfast service to our members across Texas. Over the past year, we highlighted key moments in TASB’s long history of working on behalf of you and your school districts in these very pages of Texas Lone Star magazine. We explored the origins of key programs and solutions, such as Legal Services and Policy Service, and we highlighted the evolution of signature events and trainings, among other topics. Having been the executive director of TASB for only a short time relative to its long history, I not only learned a lot about the Association that I am so privileged to lead, but I also developed a deeper understanding about what makes this organization so unique. Amid tremendous changes over the past 75 years in school law and policy, TASB has never lost sight of our core mission and values, which puts educational excellence at the heart of everything we do. This focus has only been possible because of the ongoing support of our members — Texas school boards. Thank you for your vision, your leadership, and your commitment to creating a stronger, brighter future for our students — all 5.5 million.

Big improvements to help members

Not only did we celebrate our 75th anniversary this year, but we also made some big improvements that will help carry us into the future, including new branding, enhanced websites, and digital infrastructure improvements, as well as other technology investments to enhance the member experience. Being able to innovate has been one of the reasons for TASB’s success and stability over the years, and it will be key to navigating whatever challenges lie ahead. Just as important will be the work we do to build trust and support for public education in Texas. Those efforts, of course, start with you — the more than 7,000 elected school board trustees who are each a vital voice in this Association and in your school communities. For trustees newly elected in November, I want to welcome you to TASB and to your important role on your school boards. Your volunteer service is the backbone of good governance at the local level, and it is also our inspiration. Rest assured, you can rely on TASB to provide high-quality programs, services, and training to support you in your work, just as we have been doing since our inception in 1949. As we look ahead to 2025, I know we all share a common goal: Ensure our public schools have the state funding they need to provide the best education possible for our students so they can graduate prepared for careers, college, and the military.

Advocating for public education

This upcoming legislative session will be paramount in determining the future of public education in Texas. In September, hundreds of trustees came out to TASB’s Delegate Assembly to consider and approve our 2024-26 Advocacy Agenda to help guide our work at the Capitol and beyond. I would encourage you to take a moment to review those member-approved priorities and resolutions on pages 26-31. In the coming months, you will be hearing a lot more about what TASB is doing on your behalf to advocate in support of our public schools in Austin and Washington, D.C. We also hope you’ll actively partner with us in this advocacy work so that state lawmakers have no doubt that we are all committed in support of our public schools. There’s strength in numbers, and TASB’s long history is a testament to the power of what is possible when we’re all working together, united in our mission to promote educational excellence for Texas public schoolchildren through advocacy, visionary leadership, and high-quality services to school districts. Let’s amplify that message in 2025 so everyone knows what’s at stake. We are not just advocating for public education; we are advocating to keep Texas strong by investing in the schools that are teaching the children of today to be the leaders of tomorrow.