TASB Plans January 2026 School Board Recognition Month
Each January, school districts across the state recognize and celebrate the dedication and service of their local school trustees. For 2026, the theme for School Board Recognition Month (SBRM) is Our Future Is Public. This theme emphasizes the critical role school board members play in shaping the future of our state.
As trustees volunteer their time and expertise to guide the direction of school districts, they are investing in the future workforce, their communities, and the Texas economy. Our Future Is Public is a year-round campaign focused on highlighting and elevating success stories from districts around the state. Learn more about Our Future Is Public.
How Can Your District Celebrate?
In the coming weeks, review the TASB SBRM toolkit. The toolkit provides downloadable content for districts to recognize and celebrate their local trustees. The kit is full of ideas for honoring board members and letting the community know about their valuable contributions.
In addition to content in the toolkit, here are recognition opportunities districts can also consider:
Recognize Trustees at Public Event
At district events in January, including the school board meeting, carve out time to publicly recognize and thank school board members. Let the community be aware that the district is celebrating SBRM. Another opportunity to publicly recognize trustees includes encouraging your city council, chamber of commerce, and PTA to pass a local SBMR proclamation. You can find a sample proclamation in our School Board Recognition Month planning kit.
Display Student Artwork
Have students create artwork that represents the theme of Our Future Is Public and display it at the January board meeting.
Create Video and Written Testimonies from Students
Collect heartfelt messages from students expressing how the school board’s leadership has positively impacted their educational experience. To align with this year’s theme, high school students share their aspirations for their future. These testimonies can be shared during a board meeting or on social media with the theme tied into the future of Texas.
Get Media Coverage
Media may not know about SBRM, so send them a press release. Provide your local media with information about what the board does, major decisions and actions your board is facing, and the amount of time trustees spend supporting your district. Offer to coordinate interviews with trustees.
Other Creative Ideas
Include students and highlight great programs in your district:
- Ask culinary students to bake a cake or cupcakes to share with trustees at a January event.
- Include other CTE programs in the recognition by having students from a carpentry or welding program create personalized or custom-made gifts to give to each trustee.
- Give trustees coupons for a free lunch
- Invite trustees to athletic or fine arts events
- Visit trustees at their place of employment to thank them for their service
TASB cautions staff and community members to only provide gifts of minimal value (under $50) to keep clear of state bribery laws and laws that prevent school board members from being compensated by their district. Read about the latest guidelines on gifts.
Brianna Garcia
Brianna Vela Garcia joined the Communications, Marketing, and Events team in 2024 as a department director. She assists with TASB's communication efforts and other related projects. Before TASB, Garcia spent eight years working in public education communications. Most recently, she was the media and public relations director for a Texas public school district.
Garcia holds a bachelor's degree in mass communications from the University of Texas-Pan American and a master's in journalism from the University of North Texas.
