TASB Talks

Host Matt Mitchell is joined by TASB Governmental Relations' Kelly Rasti to discuss key developments affecting Texas public schools, including recent Legislative Advisory Council trustee training and highlights from the latest State Board of Education meeting.

Host Matt Mitchell is joined by Denise Carter and Mary McFarlin to discuss TASB's Student Solutions team and the services it offers to members supporting special populations. 

Host Matt Mitchell and TASB Governmental Relations' Dax Gonzalez discuss TASB advocacy events, takeaways from the latest SBOE meeting, a new online tool for trustees, and more.

In this special episode, learn more about new TASB President Tony Hopkins. He discusses his goals and hopes for the future, his background as a trustee, how to advocate in the interim, and upcoming TASB events in the new year. 

Host Matt Mitchell is joined by Kelly Rasti from TASB Governmental Relations to break down recent state and federal public education news.

Host Matt Mitchell is joined by Amanda Bigbee, division director, for an update from TASB Policy Service.  

Host Matt Mitchell and TASB Director of Federal Affairs Ruben Longoria discuss the federal government shutdown and what it could mean for public education.

Host Matt Mitchell is joined by TASB Governmental Relations' Kelly Rasti and Legal Services' Mark Tilley to discuss legislative and policy updates from the 89th Texas Legislature.

TASB Governmental Relations' Kelly Rasti joins host Matt Mitchell to recap the 89th Texas Legislature's second special session and preview txEDCON 2025 in Houston.

Host Matt Mitchell is joined by Dax Gonzalez and Ruben Longoria from TASB Governmental Relations for a federal update + what's next for public education in the special session.

Dax Gonzalez and Kelly Rasti from TASB Governmental Relations join the show to preview the upcoming special legislative session. 

Host Matt Mitchell is joined by Dax Gonzalez and Kelly Rasti from TASB Governmental Relations to recap the 89th Texas Legislature. They break down important bills impacting Texas public education, discuss ways trustees and advocates can stay involved in the interim, and recount their favorite moments from the session.

Matt and Dax give a quick update on House Bill 2 and other public education bills from the past week at the 89th Texas Legislature. 

Matt is joined by Dax to recap Texas House debates and votes on HB 2 (school funding) and SB 2 (vouchers) + other updates from this week at the Texas Legislature.   

Matt and Dax discuss the latest updates on ESA vouchers and school funding bills (SB 2 and HB 2) + budget day in the Texas House.

Matt is joined by Dax for a 'State of the Legislature' update + information about TASB Spring Workshops. 

Matt and Dax discuss new public education developments from the 89th Texas Legislature, including recent hearings for House Bills 2 and 3.

Matt and Dax recap a busy week at the 89th Texas Legislature and provide updates on public education bills.

Matt and Dax discuss the newly announced Texas House committee assignments in this special mini episode. 

Matt and Dax discuss the latest news from the 89th Texas Legislature, including Gov. Greg Abbott's State of the State address and update on Senate Bill 2. 

Host Matt Mitchell is joined by Kelly Rasti, associate executive director of TASB Governmental Relations, to recap the first week of the 89th legislative session and preview what's next. 

Matt Mitchell is joined by Dax Gonzalez and Whitney Broughton from TASB Governmental Relations to recap the latest from the Texas Legislature, including recent SBOE discussions. 

Matt Mitchell and Dax Gonzalez recap a busy txEDCON24, including the SBAN luncheon and Delegate Assembly. Then, they discuss what other advocacy events are around the corner.

TASB Talks returns from hiatus, as host Matt Mitchell is joined by Dax Gonzalez, Division Director of TASB Governmental Relations. Dax provides an update on what's been going on in the legislative interim, and what trustees can be doing in the last few months leading up to the session. He also discusses recent meetings held by the Senate Finance Committee and the State Board of Education. Finally, Dax looks ahead to what's coming up in the next few weeks. Get TASB's Legislative Report for regular updates on the legislative session. Sign up at gr.tasb.org. Get advocacy action alerts in your inbox by signing up for Texans for Strong Public Schools.  © 2024 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode, Kay is joined by Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield, TASB deputy executive director and Esperanza Orosco, TASB board development consultant and Hays CISD board member, to discuss building strong relationships between trustees and parents. Get practical advice and strategies to effectively engage with parents, leading to improved collaboration, trust, and educational outcomes. We also discuss TASB's new resource on the subject, "A Toolkit for Strong Parent Conversations." The toolkit provides practical tips that board members can use to implement parent-friendly strategies in their districts.  Don't miss the TASA | TASB Convention pre-conference focused on building parent relationships. Registration opens July 25.   

The Legislature has adjourned, but a special session is already underway. We're here to recap some of the public-education-related bills that passed during the regular session.  First, we note that despite a $33 billion budget surplus, there was no increase in the basic allotment.  HB 3, school safety, includes several new requirements for school districts. It does include a small per-student allotment increase and some new per-campus money.  SB 10 gives retired educators a cost-of-living raise and a 13th check.  HB 1707 requires municipalities to treat charters as they would ISDs for the purposes of permitting and zoning. It includes increased transparency that will help provide more information to communities when a new charter school is opening.  Thank you to all the public school advocates who took the time to write letters, call their lawmakers, and support public education this session!  Get advocacy action alerts in your inbox by signing up for Texans for Strong Public Schools.  © 2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"The last train out of Dodge" for vouchers this session is House Bill 100. The bill was passed in the House as a school finance bill. Earlier this week though, the Senate added a voucher program to the bill and made other changes. In its current form in the Senate, HB 100: Includes a $1.8 billion voucher/education savings account program. Increases the basic allotment by $50. Includes additional funding for charter facilities. Eradicates school district attendance zones. We discuss more on HB 100, property tax relief, and the budget as the days left in the session dwindle. Get TASB's Legislative Report for regular updates on the legislative session. Sign up at gr.tasb.org. Get advocacy action alerts in your inbox by signing up for Texans for Strong Public Schools.  © 2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Kay and Dax discuss the House Public Education Committee's discussion and vote on Senate Bill 8 (vouchers and testing.)  Get TASB's Legislative Report for regular updates on the legislative session. Sign up at gr.tasb.org. Get advocacy action alerts in your inbox by signing up for Texans for Strong Public Schools.  © 2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The House passed HB 100, school finance. Kay and Dax discuss what's in the bill, including changes to the basic allotments and other allotments. We also cover updates to budget negotiations and property tax relief.  Get TASB's Legislative Report for daily updates on the legislative session. Sign up at gr.tasb.org. Get advocacy action alerts in your inbox by signing up for Texans for Strong Public Schools.  © 2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.  

This week, we discuss the happenings in the Texas Legislature: Dueling property tax relief proposals Both chambers have passed their budget proposals and will now begin negotiations  Voucher bills are still pending in the House Public Education Committee and could be voted on at any time The Senate passed SB 11, school safety Get TASB's Legislative Report for daily updates on the legislative session. Sign up at gr.tasb.org. Get advocacy action alerts in your inbox by signing up for Texans for Strong Public Schools.  © 2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

On this week's TASB Talks, Kay and Dax discuss: The House Public Education Committee's discussion last week on several voucher bills The difference between the House and Senate's property tax relief plans The budget proposals from each chamber and what they include for public education Library book bills  Sign up for TASB's Legislative Report to get updates on the session: https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1353789/1352967/  © 2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Last week was a busy one in the Texas Legislature. The Senate passed: SB 8, a voucher bill SB 9, the "teacher bill of rights" SB 175, community censorship Meanwhile, the House rejected vouchers during its budget debate. Get the details and learn what you need to know for next week.  Sign up for TASB's Legislative Report at gr.tasb.org.  Sign up for TASB's Texans for Strong Public Schools to get advocacy action alerts in your email inbox at StrongTexasSchools.org.   ©2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Last week, the Senate Education Committee passed SB 8 (vouchers) and SB 9 (teacher bill of rights). The bills have not yet gone to the full Senate.  The House Public Education Committee took up several bills last week, including HB 2890, which would change the number of votes needed for the State Board of Education to veto a charter application from a majority to two-thirds.  State Senate Affairs discussed SB 946, which would require all school district bond and tax elections to be held in November.  This week, we are awaiting HB 1, the state budget bill. An amendment is expected to be filed that would prohibit the use of state tax dollars for vouchers.  Sign up for TASB's Legislative Report at gr.tasb.org.  Sign up for TASB's Texans for Strong Public Schools to get advocacy action alerts in your email inbox at StrongTexasSchools.org.   ©2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Last week, the Senate Education Committee heard several voucher/education savings account (ESA) bills, including SB 8. This bill is estimated to cost Texans $1 billion.  TASB commissioned a poll on ESAs and found that 55% of Texans reported being less likely to support vouchers knowing that these proposals would give private schools, not parents, the right to choose.  We also share updates on the House budget, Senate property tax relief, and school safety proposals.  Sign up for TASB's Texans for Strong Public Schools to get advocacy action alerts in your email inbox at StrongTexasSchools.org.   ©2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Kay and Dax journey through last week's happenings and talk about what's to come this week. Learn more about: Senate Bill 175 on "taxpayer funded lobbying" a.k.a. community censorship was discussed last week Conversations on property tax reduction continue Legislation related to teachers, including an across-the-board pay raise, will be heard in Senate Ed this week Senate Ed will also be focused on vouchers Wednesday, hearing SB 8 and other voucher bills. SB 8 would create education savings accounts that would give out up to $8,000 in taxpayer money, per student, to pay for private school.  Sign up for TASB's Texans for Strong Public Schools to get advocacy action alerts in your email inbox at StrongTexasSchools.org.   ©2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.  

Things are starting to pick up in the Legislature with House and Senate committees meeting regularly. Kay and Dax discuss: Enrollment vs. attendance-based school funding House priority bills School safety The legislative process Accountability of voucher (education savings account) programs Sign up for TASB's Texans for Strong Public Schools to get advocacy action alerts in your email inbox at StrongTexasSchools.org.   ©2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This week we've seen Gov. Abbott travel around the state to promote education savings accounts. Kay and Dax discuss: What is an education savings account and is it any different from a voucher? Can public schools really be fully funded if vouchers are implemented? House and Senate education committee meetings  The Teacher Vacancy Taskforce recommendations ©2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Get all the info you need on public ed and the 88th Texas Legislature with our weekly Lege Update episodes! Our first weekly update covers: House and Senate Education Committees Gov. Abbott's emergency items (and what that means) Texas school leaders at the Capitol Sign up for TASB's Texans for Strong Public Schools to get advocacy action alerts in your email inbox! https://bit.ly/3cxTKME 

We discuss the happenings from the first few days of the 88th Texas Legislature, how trustees can stay informed, and upcoming TASB advocacy conferences.  Register for the Texas Federal Advocacy Conference and the TASA/TASB Legislative Conference: https://events.tasb.org/?type=GOVR&view=list  Sign up for Texans for Strong Public Schools: https://www.texansforstrongpublicschools.org/subscribe.aspx 

The next legislative session begins Jan. 10. Here's what school board members, administrators, and public school advocates need to know before it begins.  Sign up for Texans for Strong Public Schools action alerts: https://bit.ly/39g1qS0  Register to attend the Texas Federal Advocacy Conference, Feb. 6-7 in Washington, D.C., and the TASA/TASB Legislative Conference, Feb. 21 in Austin: https://bit.ly/3V5sSXn 

Political family to rock star to pilot to cultural diplomat isn't your typical career trajectory. But Ravi Hutheesing, whose great uncle was the first prime minister of India, knows the importance of being able to pivot in life. On this episode, he shares some of his experiences with us, and talks about how we can nurture talent and curiosity in students, giving them the skills to become lifelong learners.  Ravi will be a general session speaker at Summer Leadership Institute, taking place June 15-18 in San Antonio and June 29-July 2 in Fort Worth. Register now at tasb.org/sli. 

"What if you just listen to each other?" J. Michael Hall is the founder of Strong Fathers Strong Families and facilitates workshops between schools and parents across the state and country. He talks with Kay about the importance of transparency and communication. Mike will be the preconference speaker at Summer Leadership Institute, taking place June 15-18 in San Antonio and June 29-July 2 in Fort Worth. Register now at tasb.org/sli. 

Dax Gonzalez, TASB Governmental Relations division director, joins us to discuss the issues public schools are facing right now and headed into the next legislative session.  TASB just wrapped up its Grassroots Meetings, one of the first steps in determing the Association's Advocacy Agenda. The meetings are held across the state and all public school leaders have a chance to participate and let their voices be heard.  Sign up for advocacy action alerts at StrongTexasSchools.org. 

Lizzie Velasquez was born with a rare congenital disease—very rare, in fact. She's now a global motivational speaker, anti-bullying activist, and author.  Lizzie joins Kay to talk about being bullied in school, overcoming obstacles, and her advice to educators about dealing with bullying (it may surprise you). She'll be a general session speaker at TASB's Governance Camp, happening March 2-5 in Galveston. Registration is open: https://bit.ly/33d2nqD  ©2022 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

As a kid, Victor Rios was a dropout who lived on the streets. Now he's a MacArthur Foundation chair and professor of sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, researching how educators can empower young people from marginalized groups. His TED Talk, "Help for Kids the Education System Ignores," has more than 1.4 million views.  Dr. Rios joins TASB Talks to share some of his personal experiences growing up, including how a teacher changed the course of his life. He also discusses learning loss, celebrating the stories of all students, and giving kids the skills they need to succeed. Rios will be a general session speaker at TASB's Governance Camp, happening March 2-5 in Galveston. Registration for Governance Camp opens January 24. https://bit.ly/33d2nqD  ©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Kay chats with Dr. Dan Troxell, TASB's executive director, about his first 100 days on the job and his plans looking forward. He discusses: What he's learned about school board service TASB's grassroots advocacy process Words of wisdom for educators Follow Dan on Twitter @DanTroxellTASB.  ©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Tracy Fisher, Coppell ISD school board member, was named TASB's first-ever Advocate of the Year. She talks with host Kay Douglas about steps any trustee can take to speak up for Texas public schools.  Find your regional Grassroots Meeting: https://bit.ly/3oxjKh2 Subscribe to Texans for Strong Public Schools: https://bit.ly/39g1qS0  ©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

H.T. Sanchez, Plainview ISD, was recently named the 2021 Superintendent of the Year. He joins Kay to talk about: How to hire and retain good teachers How Plainview ISD makes college readiness systemic His advice to boards on working well with a superintendent ©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.