Five school boards from across Texas have been selected as Honor School Boards as part of the 2018 TASA School Board Awards. Each year, the program recognizes outstanding Texas school boards for commitment and service that has made a positive impact on Texas public school students.
Since 1971, the TASA program has honored Texas school district boards of trustees that have demonstrated dedication to student achievement and that put students first.
The five school boards selected as 2018 Texas Honor School Boards are:
Brenham ISD Board of Trustees, nominated by Superintendent Walter Jackson
“The Brenham ISD Board of Trustees demonstrates a continuing dedication and commitment to the district by making Brenham public schools their highest service priority. Board members act as ambassadors for the district by helping to manage the district’s brand and public trust. Trustees come from varying backgrounds and experiences but have one single focus as a group: If it is good for kids and is going to make their education better, they focus on accomplishing whatever task they are up against.”
—2018 TASA School Board Awards Committee
Community ISD Board of Trustees, nominated by Superintendent Roosevelt Nivens
“The members of the Community ISD Board of Trustees are humble and passionate servant leaders. They are fiercely dedicated to promoting and supporting their district’s students, faculty and staff, volunteers, programs and campuses in all that they do.”
—2018 TASA School Board Awards Committee
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Board of Trustees, nominated by Superintendent Robin Ryan
“The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Board of Trustees has a shared vision that embraces diversity and strives for excellence for all. They encourage district staff to step out of their comfort zones and personalize education for every student.”
—2018 TASA School Board Awards Committee
Lamar Consolidated ISD Board of Trustees, nominated by Superintendent Thomas Randle
“The Lamar CISD Board of Trustees has an unwavering commitment to a clear vision. When faced with challenges, the trustees look within themselves and do ‘whatever it takes to yield positive outcomes for students.’ Their focus includes leadership development and specific programs aligned to areas of need.”
—2018 TASA School Board Awards Committee
Medina Valley ISD Board of Trustees, nominated by Superintendent Kenneth Rohrbach
“The Medina Valley ISD Board of Trustees embraces a collective responsibility for academic achievement. They care about students and building supportive relationships. They place students at the forefront of every decision.”
—2018 TASA School Board Awards Committee
The five boards are now finalists for the program’s highest honor: 2018 Outstanding School Board. They will be interviewed at the TASA/TASB Convention in Austin, then one board will be named Outstanding School Board during the convention’s second general session at 10:30 a.m., September 29. The other Honor Boards, as well as the regional winners, will also be recognized at that time.
The 16 boards to be recognized as 2018 Regional Honor Boards are:
- Valley View ISD, Region 1, Rolando Ramirez, superintendent
- Banquete ISD, Region 2, Max Thompson, superintendent
- Corpus Christi ISD, Region 2, Roland Hernandez, superintendent
- Rice Consolidated ISD, Region 3, Bill Hefner, superintendent
- Burkeville ISD, Region 5, Brant Graham, superintendent
- Port Arthur ISD, Region 5, Mark Porterie, superintendent
- Lindale ISD, Region 7, Stan Surratt, superintendent
- Mount Pleasant ISD, Region 8, Judd Marshall, superintendent
- Burkburnett ISD, Region 9, Tylor Chaplin, superintendent
- West ISD, Region 12, David Truitt, superintendent
- Dripping Springs ISD, Region 13, Bruce Gearing, superintendent
- Olfen ISD, Region 15, Gabriel Zamora, superintendent
- Brownwood ISD, Region 15, Joe Young, superintendent
- Dimmitt ISD, Region 16, Bryan Davis, superintendent
- Kermit ISD, Region 18, Denise Shetter, superintendent
- Ysleta ISD, Region 19, Xavier De La Torre, superintendent
The five Honor Boards were selected by a committee of Texas school superintendents, chaired by Coahoma ISD Superintendent Amy Jacobs, whose school board was named the Outstanding School Board for 2017. The selection committee’s decisions were based on specific criteria, including support for educational performance, support for educational improvement projects, commitment to a code of ethics, and maintenance of harmonious and supportive relationships among board members.
