Five school boards from across Texas have been selected as Honor School Boards as part of the 2026 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.
The five Honor Boards were selected by a committee of Texas school superintendents. The selection committee’s decisions were based on criteria that include: 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.
The five school boards selected as 2026 Texas Honor School Boards are:
Alice ISD Board of Trustees, Region 2, Anysia Treviño, nominating superintendent
The School Board Awards Committee praised the Alice ISD Board of Trustees for its unified leadership, strong community engagement, and clear focus on student success. The committee highlighted the district’s dramatic gains in college, career, and military readiness, sound financial stewardship, community support for facility improvements, inclusive student programs, and effective communication strategies. Members also commended the board for providing meaningful civic and educational opportunities for students and achieving strong outcomes despite significant economic challenges.
Alice ISD’s nomination by Superintendent Anysia Treviño describes a board that governs with professionalism, transparency, and unity of purpose, keeping decisions focused on student success and community trust. The nomination also notes that trustees bring a valuable mix of legal, law enforcement, financial, educational and community engagement experience and maintain a strong, collaborative relationship with the superintendent.
Boerne ISD Board of Trustees, Region 20, Kristin Craft, nominating superintendent
The committee praised the Boerne ISD Board of Trustees for its strategic leadership, strong community partnerships, and sustained focus on student achievement. The committee highlighted the district’s 99% graduation rate, 95% college, career and military readiness rate, expansion of P-TECH and other career pathways, and strong community support for district priorities. Members also commended the board’s advocacy for public education, investment in high-quality staff, and proactive engagement with the community.
Boerne ISD’s nomination points to the board’s strong advocacy for the district and its staff, its efforts to safeguard the district’s financial future, and the “unmatched level of stability” board members provide. The nomination also credits the board’s commitment to training, collaboration and building a strong, unified leadership team.
Denver City ISD Board of Trustees, Region 17, Rick Martinez, nominating superintendent
The committee praised the Denver City ISD Board of Trustees for expanding student opportunities while guiding the district through a significant financial crisis. The committee highlighted the board’s work to improve the district’s FIRST rating from an F to an A, strengthen financial oversight, build robust CTE and healthcare pathways, and expand offerings in UIL academics, robotics, fine arts, and postsecondary preparation. Members also commended the board’s community engagement and partnerships with local and regional organizations.
Superintendent Rick Martinez nominated the board for this honor, noting trustees’ continued engagement during deficit budgeting, organizational rebuilding, and increased operational demands. He praised the board members’ ability to remain student-focused when facing difficult decisions and competing viewpoints, as well as their professionalism, accountability, and sustained commitment to students, staff, and the community.
Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees, Region 10, Katie Kordel, nominating superintendent
The committee praised the Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees for strong governance, close alignment with district leadership and a sustained focus on student achievement. The committee highlighted the district’s 100% graduation rate, high percentage of students earning the Distinguished Level of Achievement, rigorous AP, dual-credit and CTE offerings, and extensive opportunities in STEM, fine arts, athletics and extracurricular programs. Members also commended the board for strengthening its operating procedures, building community trust and supporting successful long-term planning.
Superintendent Katie Kordel nominated the board, describing it as a cohesive, collaborative group committed to student-centered governance and the support of academic excellence, innovation, and expanded student opportunities. She wrote that trustees’ professionalism, humility, ethical leadership, and willingness to put children above personal or political interests have created a strong culture of trust, unity, and constructive collaboration with district leadership.
Tomball ISD Board of Trustees, Region 4, Martha Salazar-Zamora, nominating superintendent
The committee praised the Tomball ISD Board of Trustees for its strategic leadership, support of innovation, and commitment to sustaining strong student performance amid rapid growth. The committee highlighted the board’s approval and support of the Exceeding Excellence 2030 Strategic Plan, a revised curriculum management system, responsible integration of artificial intelligence, expansion of the district’s two-way dual-language program, and development of educator pipeline and mentoring initiatives. Members also commended the board’s strong community engagement and focus on college, career, and workforce readiness.
Superintendent Martha Salazar-Zamora nominated the board, praising trustees’ dedication and servant and ethical leadership. She lauded the board for investing in the district’s continued growth and managing a complex budget amid limited funding and rapid enrollment growth. She also highlighted trustees’ ability to navigate state and national politics while setting policies aligned with community standards, as well as their advocacy for students and dedication to the Tomball community.
While this is the first time in the award program’s history that the Alice ISD school board has have been selected as a statewide honor board, the other districts’ boards have been chosen as Honor Boards in the past: Boerne (2003); Denver City (2016); Lovejoy (1982); and Tomball (2021).
The five boards are now finalists for the program’s highest honor: 2026 Outstanding School Board. They will be interviewed October 9 at txEDCON 2026 (the annual TASA/TASB Convention) in Houston, where one board will be named Outstanding School Board later that afternoon. The other Honor Boards, as well as the regional winners, will also be recognized at that time.
The seven boards to be recognized as 2026 Regional Honor Boards are:
| Region | Nominee | Nominating Superintendent |
| 5 | Bridge City ISD Board of Trustees | Mike Kelly |
| 6 | Goodrich ISD Board of Trustees | Daniel Barton |
| 7 | Alba-Golden ISD Board of Trustees | Shelby Davidson |
| 9 | Henrietta ISD Board of Trustees | Jaime Clark |
| 11 | Alvarado ISD Board of Trustees | Kenneth Estes |
| 13 | Jarrell ISD Board of Trustees | Toni Hicks |
| 16 | Dumas ISD Board of Trustees | Monty Hysinger |
Since 1971, the TASA school board awards program has honored Texas school district boards of trustees that have demonstrated dedication to student achievement and that put students first.
