Media Advisory: Education Leaders Stand Up for Texas Public Schools

What:

A coalition of education leaders will host a press conference at the TASA | TASB Convention in Dallas to stand up for Texas public schools ahead of an expected special session on private school vouchers this fall.  

“We’re calling on our state lawmakers to fully fund our public schools during the special session in October,” said President of TASA and Aldine ISD Superintendent LaTonya M. Goffney. “The focus of lawmakers should be directed to what matters the most: an investment into the future of our state by supporting public schools.”

The press conference is being held during the TASA | TASB Convention, the largest annual gathering of school board trustees and superintendents in the state with nearly 5,000 in attendance including K-12 public education leaders, partners, and supporters.  

Across the state, public schools are struggling with inflation, rising costs, new safety and security mandates, and teacher shortages. Yet, despite a $33 billion budget surplus, lawmakers closed the regular session in May with no significant increase in the basic allotment — the minimum amount schools get per student, which has been stagnant since 2019. 

“We need everyone to stand up for Texas public schools,” said Nederland ISD School Board Trustee and TASB Director Nicholas Phillips, who is also a principal in Beaumont ISD. “There are 5.4 million schoolchildren counting on us to get this right and there’s no better time than now to show our unity and support for public education.”  

Who:

Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde; TASA President and Aldine ISD Superintendent LaTonya Goffney; TASA Vice President and Whitehouse ISD Superintendent Chris Moran; Texas PTA Vice President of Leadership Kelley Thomas; and Nederland ISD School Board Trustee, Beaumont ISD Principal and TASB Director Nicholas Phillips, as well as representatives from the Texas Association of School Boards, the Texas Association of School Administrators, and other public education leaders and supporters from across the state.   

Supporters include Pastors for Texas Children; Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA); Texas AFT; Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA); Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE); and the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education.

When: 

Friday, Sept. 29, 10:45–11:15 a.m.  
Individual school leaders will be available after the event for interviews.  

Where: 

Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center  
650 S. Griffin St., Dallas, 75202 
Upper D Meeting Rooms, Room D-226  

Press parking details:   
From Lamar Street, take a right on Ceremonial Drive toward Lower D/E Lobby.  
Parking begins at 10:15 a.m. and all press should depart by 11:30 a.m.  
Show credentials to the traffic control officer, who will direct media to available parking. Check-in with staff at the press table located in the lobby.