As demand grows for school districts to leave the embattled Texas Association of School Boards, a new alternative aims to challenge their monopoly.
Texans for Excellence in Education, led by Executive Director Hava Armstrong, says they are prepared to replace TASB as parents increasingly become frustrated with the organization.
“For years, school boards and trustees across Texas have grown increasingly frustrated with TASB, but they haven’t had an alternative in the marketplace until now,” said Armstrong.
Currently, local taxpayer dollars are used to fund TASB membership fees and services that include training, legal advice, and insurance.
The association has also been criticized for lobbying against parents.
In January, the association advised its members to allow gender-confused students to use the restroom designated for the opposite sex and obscure a student’s preferred name and pronouns if their parents object to their “gender identity.” Last summer, TASB sponsored a conference promoting critical race theory. And in 2021, TASB declined to take any action regarding explicit books in school libraries after Gov. Greg Abbott sent them a public letter calling on them to do so.
Earlier this year, Carroll ISD became the first school district to leave TASB. Now, they say, they are glad to have an alternative.
“I am extremely proud of our local public school system and our mission to continue to provide the best for our students, families, and taxpayers,” said Cameron Bryan, Carroll ISD school board president. “We believe competition is helpful and will result in lower prices and better services for all. With TEE, we now have an alternative for our board to consider.”
According to TEE, they are ready to provide the following services to member districts:
- Model Policy Drafting
- Legal Guidance and Advisory
- Group Insurance
- Electric Co-Op & Energy Savings
- Purchasing Co-Op
- TEA-Approved Board Training
- Model Board Book
Additionally, they say they will be able to assist with cash management and fuel co-op in the next 60 days.
“School boards are tired of the poor service, low return on investment of taxpayer dollars, and the far-left politics masquerading as so-called ‘model policies’ and ‘legal guidance,’” said Armstrong. “The truth is TASB is a bad deal for Texas public schools and has used its position of influence to push a political agenda into our kids’ classrooms.”
