1975-2000: Professional Growth & Expansion
If TASA began building a foundation from 1950 to 1975, the next 25 years was about strengthening that foundation. From 1975 to 2000, under the leadership of the association’s second and third executive directors, TASA developed its first legislatiive program independent of TSTA and successfully advocated for school funding. TASA also built its first headquarters building, then later moved into its current home. Many new member services and programs were added and partnerships begun. TASA also elected its first Hispanic and female presidents.
Charles F. Mathews
Charles F. Mathews became TASA’s second executive director upon the retirement of R.E. “Emmett” Harris. Mathews was a former superintendent who had been a part of TASA since 1953 and had served in every office of the association, including the presidency (1959-60). Mathews said that one of the most important functions of the executive director was to be “connected in an effective, creditable way with the decision-makers in the legislative process and with other associations and business groups.”
TASA developed its first legislative program independent of TSTA in time for the 65th Texas Legislature to convene. The program was themed “Toward Equally Effective Education for All Texas Children.” TASA also conducted a survey of superintendents in preparation to advocate for additional school funding during the 65th session (report cover featured).
The signing of Senate Bill 1 by Gov. Dolph Briscoe in July 1977 was the culmination of several years of advocacy by TASA and other education organizations to get legislative support for comprehensive school finance legislation. The 65th Legislature passed the $945.4 million school funding bill in a July special session on a vote of 119-24.
TASA broke ground on its first headquarters building at the corner of 11th and Trinity streets in downtown Austin (next door to TASA’s current HQ). The building was constructed on property leased from the Texas Association of School Boards.
Johnny L. Veselka
Johnny L. Veselka became TASA’s third executive director upon the retirement of Charles Mathews. Veselka was a former teacher who joined the TASA staff as an intern in 1974 while pursuing his administrator certification and second master’s degree. He had served as TASA’s assistant executive director since 1975. Veselka remained at TASA’s helm for 32 more years, until his retirement in 2018, giving a total of 43 years of service to the association.
TASA partnered with the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA) and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) to establish the Texas LEAD Center, now the Texas Leadership Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. The Center started with federal funding provided to advance leadership development opportunities for school leaders in each state. Since that time, the Center has acquired multiple grants to support significant training opportunities for TASA members and other school leaders. Today, TASA has sole responsibility for the Center. It is governed by a nine-member board of directors, including the TASA president, president-elect, and vice president, and six other directors appointed by the TASA president. The TASA executive director serves as executive director of the Leadership Center.
In 1988, TASA established the 21st Century Task Force, which included subcommittees charged with making recommendations on TASA’s future in the following areas: Facilities, Finance, Organizational Structure & Member Services, and Mission, Goals & Objectives. Then, as TASA prepared for a new decade, the association unveiled a new logo.
TASA purchased the association’s current headquarters at 406 E. 11th Street in Austin, just east of the Capitol, from the Texas Association of School Boards. It is next door to TASA’s original headquarters building, which now houses TASB Governmental Relations staff.
TASA finalized a formal partnership with the Texas Council of Women School Executives (TCWSE) to provide management services to the group, founded six years earlier. Today, TASA continues to provide services to TCWSE, managing the group’s membership, event planning and registration, website, and more.
TASA launched the association’s first website. It’s changed a lot since then!
Stan Paz, superintendent of El Paso ISD, became TASA’s first Hispanic president. He was honored as the Texas Superintendent of the Year in 1994. In 2016, Paz went on to serve as executive director of the Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (TALAS), an organization with which TASA partners today.
Virginia L. Collier, superintendent of Brenham ISD, became TASA’s first female president. Collier had served as president of the Texas Council of Women School Executives in 1990-91 when TASA formalized a partnership with TCWSE (see 1990 entry). An educator for 35 years, she was appointed by the governor to the State Board for Educator Certification and went on to work in higher education in principal and superintendent preparation.