Support Your Public School!
Texans for Strong Public Schools brings together taxpayers, parents, teachers, school administrators, and other advocates dedicated to stopping vouchers and improving school funding. Find out how you can get involved.

Delegates Approve New Advocacy Agenda
Delegates from across the state met during the annual TASA/TASB Convention to consider and adopt the 2016-18 TASB Advocacy Agenda. The Agenda will guide TASB's advocacy efforts throughout the upcoming biennium. Read more.

Stay Up-to-Date on Legislative News
Subscribe to TASB's Legislative Report, a weekly e-newsletter, and Legislative Update, published daily during the legislative session, to keep up with all the activities at the state and national capitols.

Want to learn more about the benefits and steps to become a Districts of Innovation?

• TASB Legal Services' memo Hurricane Harvey and Related Legal Issues answers current questions about board meetings, budget and tax rate adoption, and procurement for repairs.
• TASB Legal Services' November 2017 Election Memo answers frequently asked questions about the November 2016 trustee elections, including joint elections, cancellation of elections, canvassing, and more.
• TASB Legal Services’ article Compulsory Attendance and Truancy discusses best practices and legal requirements in addressing student truancy.
• TASB Legal Services 2017-2018 Seminar Series locations and registration.
• Last month's most viewed eSource page: Governance—Districts of Innovation.

Read the latest issue

ESSA and highly qualified standards
Does the Every Student Succeeds Act require newly hired paraprofessionals to be highly qualified? Find out in this issue's Q&A!

The state of staffing in school districts
Learn about the causes of teacher shortages today and some of the staffing challenges districts are facing.

Impact of DACA repeal on district staffing
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) workers currently holding valid work permits may not be eligible for continued employment when the permit expires.

We have compiled a list of helpful Hurricane Harvey resources, which will continue to grow as we identify other ways we can help our members in the affected areas. We stand ready to support you. (Updated on September 6, 2017.)

Did you receive a letter pertaining to TASB's data security incident?

Be the Voice of Texas Public Schools!
Texas schools are facing long-term legislative challenges, and it is more important than ever for Texas trustees to stand up and advocate for our schools. Your next step in advocating is the 2017 Delegate Assembly, scheduled for October 7 in Dallas.

• Register your board's delegate and alternate today!
• Learn more about TASB's Delegate Assembly.
• Follow Board of Directors nominations.

LAST CALL for 2016-17: Recognize businesses and organizations that support local public schools in your district. Make your submissions here.

The votes have been tallied, and it's time to announce the winners of the 2016-17 Student Video Contest! Thanks to all of the amazing schools who took the time to show us why their school and Texas public schools in general ROCK! The winning videos are now featured on the video gallery page, and all of the other fantastic videos are still accessible, so be sure to check them out.

Set for October 6-8 in Dallas, this year’s TASA/TASB Convention—the state’s largest annual gathering of local public school board members and school district administrators—features many new and exciting opportunities, as well as the time-honored lineup of General Sessions, In-depth Training Sessions, Thought Leaders, exhibits, displays, and more. 

Read about it and more in the September/October 2017 edition of Texas Lone Star.

 

September 25, 2017

• Harvey won’t hurt state revenue, but could harm schools, Austin American-Statesman
• Straus welcomes challengers: I don’t own this job, Texas Tribune
• High school student among 14 running for school board, Waco Tribune-Herald
• Viewpoints: Young voters should learn value of their ballots, Austin American-Statesman
• Out of school, but still on track—students not letting Harvey ruin studies, KSAT, San Antonio
• Tarrant county schools lose $7 million in federal funding, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
• Assistance from a distance: Districts adopt schools in Texas, Joplin Globe
• District donating buses after another loses entire fleet, KENS 5, San Antonio
• Texas’ political class says Harvey changed everything, Houston Chronicle

More news...

Sept. 22 TASA/TASB Convention
Preregistration deadline

Sept. 26 National School Boards Association Advocacy Institute
Registration opens

Oct. 3 National School Boards Association Advocacy Institute
Deadline for stipend nominations

Oct. 6 District Personnel Salary Survey
Deadline to participate

Oct. 12 Texas School HR Administrators Academy
Early registration deadline

Oct. 13 Community College Salary Survey
Deadline to participate

Oct. 13 TASB Conference for Administrative Professionals
Regular registration deadline

Oct. 18 National School Boards Association Annual Conference
Registration and housing open

Oct. 24 Extra-Duty Stipend Survey
Survey opens

Cedar Hill ISD Hires Executive Search Services
On September 6, the Cedar Hill ISD Board of Trustees voted to hire TASB Executive Search Services (ESS) to conduct a search for a new superintendent. 

Further details can be found on the ESS website.

The National School Boards’ National Connection program is designed to build school board excellence. Get connected.