BRENHAM SCHOOL BOARD LEARNS ABOUT POSSIBLE TASB ALTERNATIVE
The Brenham School Board received information on Monday about a recently formed organization that is labeled as a replacement for the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).
Director Hava Armstrong gives a presentation to
Brenham ISD trustees about her organization, which
bills itself as an alternative to the Texas Association
of School Boards.
Trustees were provided a presentation by Texans for Excellence in Education (TEE) Executive Director Hava Armstrong, who gave details on TEE’s services and why the group was created as an alternative.
Armstrong said TEE launched its offerings after some school boards in Texas expressed dissatisfaction with TASB’s policies and guidelines. A group of Republican state representatives in January called upon school districts to end their ties with TASB after it published guidance on matters relating to transgender students.
Armstrong said TEE’s focus is “education, not indoctrination.”
Armstrong said TEE also believes in respecting the school board’s role as the voice of the people and allowing trustees to retain control of the things that they are held accountable for by the voters. She added that TEE strives to provide services that are not “one size fits all” and are tailored for each district’s needs, while also shopping the free market to offer reduced costs for products. In addition, she said the organization is against taxpayer-funded lobbying of legislators.
Some of TEE’s offerings include energy, fuel and purchasing co-ops; board management tools; accredited board training; guidance and assistance for school policy; legislative updates; insurance; human resources and cash management.
When asked by trustee Archer Archer how TEE’s costs compare to TASB, Armstrong promised prices that are friendlier to school districts.
Carroll ISD in Southlake, a suburb of Dallas/Fort Worth, voted in March to end its membership with TASB. The school district received a presentation from TEE in June and, according to Armstrong, is in the process of transitioning along with three other unnamed school districts.
Should Brenham ISD be interested in switching to TEE, it would provide the organization a list of the services it receives through TASB and its contract terms to determine a timeline to transition. The school board would then vote to terminate its current relationship with TASB and name TEE as its primary service provider. Armstrong said TEE will ensure continuity of services and give training on all new services and platforms.
Monday’s presentation was only for informational purposes, and no vote was taken by trustees.
I don’t see how this policy letter is indoctrination. It doesn’t say anything about teaching or pushing ideas on students or teachers, it just says to respect a student’s wishes if they want to be called a certain name, and how to do bookkeeping. It’s just like asking someone to call you John instead of Johnathan, you just do it out of courtesy. You don’t have to believe in something to just be respectful. It’s like respecting someone’s religious beliefs even though you don’t agree. If this guidance asked for something to be taught in school, or announced to students or employees, I could totally see the issue, but it doesn’t. This is all back-end stuff for paperwork and in general to be a nice person. If there was currently a problem at the district I could see this being a point of contention, but if its just ‘what if we have a problem with sports’ it feels like a solution looking for a problem. If anything I would see that completely dropping TASB because of this feels like a large political statement. The guidance released by TASB is just about respecting people and their beliefs. Replace the gender wording with religion and you get a similar statement. This district is a great place to work, but if you want to drop TASB because of one guidance article that I can guarantee no one looked up to legitimately help a student, but to make a statement, I have some issues. This school district is about helping kids grow and learn, not to instill fear through meetings about a non-issue to actual students and employees. It is fine to bring these concerns, as I understand them, but not on the backs of kids in our district to try and make a point.
You don’t wait until the horse has left the barn before you close the gate. You have to be proactive. TASB is an accident waiting to happen. Our children shouldn’t be lab rats.
I don’t see how this policy letter is indoctrination. It doesn’t say anything about teaching or pushing ideas on students or teachers, it just says to respect a student’s wishes if they want to be called a certain name, and how to do bookkeeping. It’s just like asking someone to call you John instead of Johnathan, you just do it out of courtesy. You don’t have to believe in something to just be respectful. It’s like respecting someone’s religious beliefs even though you don’t agree. If this guidance asked for something to be taught in school, or announced to students or employees, I could totally see the issue, but it doesn’t. This is all back-end stuff for paperwork and in general to be a nice person.
If there was currently a problem at the district I could see this being a point of contention, but if its just ‘what if we have a problem with sports’ it feels like a solution looking for a problem. If anything I would see that completely dropping TASB because of this feels like a large political statement, I don’t think I have seen any news articles on ‘transgender problems’ in the district. If anything a meeting and news article sends more of a message to be afraid to come out if you are transgender in the district.
I personally have never understood or wanted to change genders, and don’t really get it, but I can respect the people that do. That is their choice and I can be a decent person and just be respectful. If this guidance was to teach this in schools, I would have a problem, but it doesn’t. The guidance released by TASB is just about respecting people and their beliefs. Replace the gender wording with religion and you get a similar statement.
This district is a great place to work, but if you want to drop TASB because of one guidance article that I can guarantee no one looked up to legitimately help a student, but to make a statement, I have some issues. This school district is about helping kids grow and learn, not to instill fear through meetings and news articles about a non-issue to actual students and employees. It is fine to bring these concerns, as I understand them, but not on the backs of kids in our district to try and make a point.
All the schools push the agenda for transgenders. Even a blind person can see that. The schools need to be stopped asap, it’s out of control.
I attended TASB meetings, conferences, and seminars for almost 20 years and found their information to helpful and educational structured to help board members do their jobs. Not ONE TIME did I sense I was being indoctrinated. Never.
I have heard about the allegations regarding TSAB’s publishing materials relating to transgeneder students. Each time I have heard it I have asked the person to provide me with the written material relating to their accusation. NOT ONE PERSON has given me any written material to support their claim. Fake news!!
The Texas Association of School Boards published an advisory titled Legal Issues Related to Transgender Students in January 2023. 13 pages, and it is listed on their website. I encourage the readers to read it for themselves. It clearly gives TASB’s advice that transgenders are to be addressed by the name they want, accommodations such as bathrooms be made, and they should be given special protections against bullying.
Ask and you shall receive! https://www.tasb.org/services/legal-services/tasb-school-law-esource/students/documents/legal_issues_related_to_transgender_students.pdf
I see some problems with TASB’s stance on some of these issues.
Should students be able to choose to use lockerrooms and restrooms with students of the opposite sex? What about staff?
Should boys be able to participate in girl’s sports and invade their safe spaces? UIL is clear on this but TASB seems to think schools should do what they want, regardless of what the UIL says.
Do you think a boy should be able to share a room with girls on an overnight field trip? TASB says that’s okay if it’s what the boy prefers.
Do you understand what transgender means? I thought schools were a place where children had the freedom to express themselves as long as it doesn’t harm other children in the school! Someone is watching to much political t.v. Let’s get the school district out of debt yall!