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' 2017 Tax Ratification Election Information memo provides information and deadlines for ordering and holding a tax ratification election.
• TASB Legal Services' Adoption of Budget and Tax Rates–Traditional Method is a step-by-step guide to the traditional method of the budget and tax rate adoption process for school districts with a September 1 fiscal year.
• TASB Legal Services' Adoption of Budget and Tax Rates–Early Tax Rate Adoption is a step-by-step guide to the budget and tax rate adoption process for school districts using certified estimates of property values instead of certified appraisal rolls when adopting a tax rate.
• Last month's most viewed eSource page:  Governance—Districts of Innovation.

Read the latest issue

Leave use at the start of the year
Can an employee use state leave at the beginning of the school year? Find out in this month's Q&A!

Recruiting and retaining top tech talent
It's tough to staff schools with quality tech employees, but there are some things a district can do to attract and retain elite tech talent.

T-TESS—A year in review
How did the first year of statewide implementation of T-TESS go? TASB HR Services talked with Texas Education Agency's Linda Johnson to discuss the progress of the new teacher evaluation system.

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.

The gradual buildup and ensuing collapse of many education-related bills made for a disappointing 85^th regular session.

Lawmakers are now back for a special session, and once again, vouchers are on the table. Read about it and more in the August 2017 edition of Texas Lone Star.

 

August 18, 2017

• Here’s what happened to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s agenda during the special session, Texas Tribune
• Gov. Abbott slams House, doesn't rule out second special session, Texas Tribune
• With bathroom bill dead, Pastor Council looks to future fights, Texas Tribune
• Who’s to blame for your rising property taxes? Here’s what Texans think, Texas Tribune
• Editorial: Are state leaders up to challenge of reforming school finance, property taxes in meaningful way?, Waco Tribune-Herald
• Pastor Commentary: Texas Senate doesn't support public education, Longview News-Journal
• Gov. Abbott cites roadblocks, lack of will for items that didn’t pass, KXAN, Austin

More news...

Aug. 25 TASA/TASB Convention
Housing deposits due

Aug. 25 Superintendent Salary Survey 
Deadline to participate

Aug. 29 TASB director nomination candidate endorsements
Submission deadline

Sept. 5 District Personnel Salary Survey
Participation opens

Sept. 8 Delegate Assembly
Delegate and alternate registration deadline

Sept. 22 TASA/TASB Convention
Preregistration deadline

Oct. 6 District Personnel Salary Survey 
Deadline to participate

Culberson County-Allamoore ISD Names Lone Finalist

On July 27, the Culberson County-Allamoore ISD Board of Trustees named Ken Baugh as the lone finalist for the position of superintendent. Baugh currently serves as superintendent in Throckmorton ISD.

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.