TASA Announces Five Texas Honor Boards for 2024

Five school boards from across Texas have been selected as Honor School Boards as part of the 2024 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 2024 Texas Honor School Boards are:

Burkburnett ISD Board of Trustees, Region 9, Brad Owen, nominating superintendent
The School Board Awards Committee was impressed that five out of seven trustees on the Burkburnett ISD board are master trustees, an indication of their commitment to governance. The committee also noted the board's high level of engagement with and strong connection to their community. With Burkburnett's proximity to Sheppard Air Force Base, the district serves many military-connected students and their families, and all six district campuses have been recognized with the Purple Star designation for the support and commitment shown to those students.

Superintendent Brad Owen nominated the board for this honor: "The BISD school board is progressive and courageous in their view and belief of true student learning. The board challenges the district to find customizable ways to educate ALL students and to assess that learning through various avenues that reflect a true measure of student knowledge and abilities."

Corpus Christi ISD Board of Trustees, Region 2, Roland Hernandez, nominating superintendent
The School Board Awards Committee was impressed by the Corpus Christi ISD board's legislative advocacy on behalf of the district's students and its annual "Keeping Every Youth in School" (KEYS) walk. Every September, the board launches the walk with community volunteers, elected officials, clergy, and CCISD employees, who walk door-to-door to meet the families of students who did not enroll in the district or any other by the start of the school year. It allows the district to reconnect with families and dropouts to promote a stay-in-school attitude and show support to help them overcome their barriers.

Superintendent Roland Hernandez nominated the board: "Our board is steadfast in its focus on student outcomes. They are intentional in their actions and truly listen to staff, families, and the community to do what is right for our students, district, and our city. We are grateful that our board's diversity helps us ensure our work includes the perspectives of all sectors of our community. In addition to ethnic diversity, our trustees' range of professional, educational and life experience ensures our policies reflect our vibrant, growing South Texas community."

Donna ISD Board of Trustees, Region 1, Angela Dominguez, nominating superintendent
The School Board Awards Committee was impressed by the early childhood initiatives instituted by the Donna ISD Board of Trustees and the district's focus and sense of urgency regarding educational improvement. The committee noted how fiscally responsible the board is and how well board members maximize opportunities despite limited resources.

Superintendent Angela Dominguez nominated the board: "Donna ISD board members see their role as an act of service and advocacy. We are incredibly fortunate to have seven trustees who are relentless in their efforts to do what is best for students. There is no doubt that our board members believe in the mission of Donna ISD and they are fully invested in our number-one outcome of graduating all students per their expected graduation date ready for college, career, or the military. They routinely engage with students, staff, and community in positive ways."

Grand Prairie ISD Board of Trustees, Region 10, Linda Ellis, nominating (former) superintendent
The School Board Awards Committee was impressed by the customer service focus of the Grand Prairie ISD board and the diversified programming offered to students. The committee also noted the board's focuses on innovation, systems, and safety.

Former superintendent Linda Ellis nominated the board: "Regardless of the challenge - a global pandemic, a once-in-a-lifetime winter storm, deep concerns about school safety, or the recent need to consolidate schools - these leaders have never forgotten that their priority is doing what is best for students, families, and community. Despite varied backgrounds, constituent groups, and interests, they understand their highest value is having a united 'Team of Eight.'"

Klein ISD Board of Trustees, Region 4, Jenny McGown, nominating superintendent
The School Board Awards Committee was impressed by the Klein ISD board's focus on student achievement as well as how trustees work through an open forum process that helps keep the business of the school district moving forward. The committee also noted the board's community engagement and involvement in public relations for the district.

Superintendent Jenny McGown nominated the board: "By establishing policies and enacting a shared vision dedicated to knowing and serving every student by name, strength, and need, our Klein ISD Board empowers and encourages us to ensure every student - regardless of the initial or inherited circumstances of that student's birth - discovers a mighty purpose for life that ultimately strengthens our Klein community well beyond their time spent with us."

While this is the first time in the award program's history that the Donna ISD school board has been selected as a statewide honor board, Burkburnett's board was an Honor Board in 2010, Corpus Christi's was the 1982 Outstanding School Board, Grand Prairie's was an Honor Board in 1976, and Klein's was an Honor Board in 2012 and 1996.

The five boards are now finalists for the program's highest honor: 2024 Outstanding School Board. They will be interviewed September 27 at txEDCON24, the the TASA | TASB Convention in San Antonio, where one board will be named Outstanding School Board the same day. The other Honor Boards, as well as the regional winners, will also be recognized at that time.

The nine boards to be recognized as 2024 Regional Honor Boards are:

Region	Nominee	Nominating Superintendent
2 (small district category)	Ricardo ISD Board of Trustees	Gina Garza
5	Nederland ISD Board of Trustees	Stuart Kieschnick
6	Bellville ISD Board of Trustees	Nicole Poenitzsch
7	Marshall ISD Board of Trustees	Richele Langley
8	Como-Pickton CISD Board of Trustees	Greg Bower
11	Mansfield ISD Board of Trustees	Kimberley Cantu
13	Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees	Steven Snell
16	Wellington ISD Board of Trustees	Kurt Ashmore
20	Marion ISD Board of Trustees	Don Beck

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.

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