TASB Talks

TASB Talks is a regular podcast produced by the Texas Association of School Boards. Each episode we talk with subject-matter experts on important education-related issues.

Strong Parent Conversations 07/11/2023

Strong Parent Conversations 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, "." The toolkit provides practical tips that board members can use to implement parent-friendly strategies in their districts. Don't miss the pre-conference focused on building parent relationships. Registration opens July 25. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/27435822

Recap of the 88th Texas Legislature 06/02/2023

Recap of the 88th Texas Legislature 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 . © 2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/27029040

TASB Talks: Lege Update May 25, 2023 05/25/2023

TASB Talks: Lege Update May 25, 2023 "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 . Get advocacy action alerts in your inbox by signing up for . © 2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/26949018

TASB Talks: Lege Update May 17, 2023 05/17/2023

TASB Talks: Lege Update May 17, 2023 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 . Get advocacy action alerts in your inbox by signing up for . © 2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/26867274

TASB Talks: Lege Update May 8, 2023 05/08/2023

TASB Talks: Lege Update May 8, 2023 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 . Get advocacy action alerts in your inbox by signing up for . © 2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/26776581

TASB Talks: Lege Update April 24, 2023 04/24/2023

TASB Talks: Lege Update April 24, 2023 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 . Get advocacy action alerts in your inbox by signing up for . © 2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/26633319

TASB Talks: Lege Update April 17, 2023 04/17/2023

TASB Talks: Lege Update April 17, 2023 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: © 2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/26564904

TASB Talks: Lege Update April 11, 2023 04/11/2023

TASB Talks: Lege Update April 11, 2023 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 . Sign up for TASB's Texans for Strong Public Schools to get advocacy action alerts in your email inbox at . ©2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/26507397

TASB Talks: Lege Update April 3, 2023 04/03/2023

TASB Talks: Lege Update April 3, 2023 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 . Sign up for TASB's Texans for Strong Public Schools to get advocacy action alerts in your email inbox at . ©2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/26426667

TASB Talks: Lege Update March 27, 2023 03/27/2023

TASB Talks: Lege Update March 27, 2023 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. 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 . ©2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/26352492

TASB Talks: Lege Update March 20, 2023 03/20/2023

TASB Talks: Lege Update March 20, 2023 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 . ©2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/26284170

TASB Talks: Lege Update March 13, 2023 03/13/2023

TASB Talks: Lege Update March 13, 2023 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 . ©2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/26214738

TASB Talks: Lege Update March 6, 2023 03/06/2023

TASB Talks: Lege Update March 6, 2023 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. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/26140458

TASB Talks: Lege Update Feb. 27, 2023 02/27/2023

TASB Talks: Lege Update Feb. 27, 2023 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 /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/26060028

TASB Talks: Lege Update January 2023 01/18/2023

TASB Talks: Lege Update January 2023 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: Sign up for Texans for Strong Public Schools: /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/25645077

Preview of the 88th Texas Legislature 12/12/2022

Preview of the 88th Texas Legislature 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: 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: /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/25298751

Ravi Hutheesing, SLI preview 05/19/2022

Ravi Hutheesing, SLI preview 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. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/23166098

Family Engagement, SLI Preview 05/06/2022

Family Engagement, SLI Preview "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 . /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/23030429

Lege Update April 2022 04/04/2022

Lege Update April 2022 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 . /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/22673543

Interview with Lizzie Velasquez 02/02/2022

Interview with Lizzie Velasquez 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: ©2022 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/22001045

Interview with Victor Rios 01/19/2022

Interview with Victor Rios 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. ©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/21828437

Interview with TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell 12/17/2021

Interview with TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell 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 . ©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/21522113

2021 Advocate of the Year 12/08/2021

2021 Advocate of the Year 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: Subscribe to Texans for Strong Public Schools: ©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/21419480

2021 Superintendent of the Year 11/11/2021

2021 Superintendent of the Year 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. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/21134846

2021 Outstanding School Board 10/22/2021

2021 Outstanding School Board Aledo ISD's Board President Hoyt Harris and VP Jessica Brown join Kay for a conversation on what makes them the top school board in the state. They share advice on working well with the superintendent and improvements they've made in the past few years. ©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/20908520

Lege Update: Recap of the Second Special Session 09/15/2021

Lege Update: Recap of the Second Special Session We are pleased to welcome the new host of TASB Talks, Kay Douglas! You may know her already from her many years training school boards across Texas. We chat with Dax for a recap of the second special legislative session of 2021. Get details on bills that were passed, like virtual learning and critical race theory. We also chat about what's happening with mask mandates in schools and the upcoming special session (yes, another one). Sign up to receive TASB's Legislative Report: https://bit.ly/31q1fyK /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/20487998

Recap of the 87th Texas Legislature 06/07/2021

Recap of the 87th Texas Legislature Dax may have Post-Legislative Stress Syndrome, but he's moving forward. In our legislative session wrap-up episode, we chat about: The death of the virtual learning bill and what it means for next school year. The final version of the HB 3 (2019) cleanup bill. HB 999, individual graduation committees. HB 547, districts may allow homeschool kids to participate in UIL activities. And yes, it's coming…a special session. When? Will there be more than one? Dax and Roger discuss. Finally, Dax gives his overall grade for this session when it comes to public ed. Don't miss the virtual Post-Legislative Conference June 26: Sign up for action alerts from Texans for Strong Public Schools: ©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/19389848

Lege Update: May 25, 2021 05/25/2021

Lege Update: May 25, 2021 "This is the session of zombie bills." Sine die is Monday and legislators are working overtime (Dax, too). Get updates on: Virtual instruction HB 3 cleanup bill SB 10, transparency in lobbying And, we bid a special farewell to TASB Talks host Amanda Quraishi. Sign up for alerts from Texans for Strong Public Schools: https://bit.ly/39g1qS0 Sign up for the TASB Legislative Report email updates: https://bit.ly/31q1fyK /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/19233434

Lege Update: May 18, 2021 05/19/2021

Lege Update: May 18, 2021 We have a special episode this week! Dax is joined by his fellow TASB Governmental Relations staff members Marisha, Whitney, and Ruben. The roundtable discussion includes updates on virtual instruction bills, changes to the accountability system, and how the permitless carry bill would affect education. Sign up for alerts from Texans for Strong Public Schools: /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/19161446

Lege Update: May 10, 2021 05/10/2021

Lege Update: May 10, 2021 Dax is staying hydrated during these final weeks of the 87th Texas Legislature, where time is of the essence for any bills hoping to get passed. Texas trustees will return to the Capitol Wednesday. Our hosts talk about some public ed-related bills that died this week. Follow TASB on social media. Facebook: Twitter: /episode/index/show/tasbtalks/id/19045883

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