Statements
The day after the November 5th election, Governor Greg Abbott said there was growing support for school choice across Texas. “With last night’s election results, Texas will finally be able to provide school choice for every Texan, while continuing to support our public schools and enhancing job training education to ensure our students are going to be successful in their future careers,” said Abbott. The Governor’s office in the press release also noted the Governor outlined the next steps the Texas Legislature should consider, “including continuing to fully fund public education, increase teacher pay and incentives, and enhance job training opportunities in schools.”
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick also announced school choice is his top priority in a statement last week. He stated SB 2 will be the Senate’s school choice legislation while also noting it’s the Senate’s turn to introduce a state budget which will be SB 1. Patrick noted that, “Texas can have school choice without undermining the public school system,” hoping that school choice will be declared an emergency item for the legislative session so it can be passed within the first 60 days of session.
Bill filing starts for the 89th Legislative session today. You can follow the process here.
TRE/Bonds
When combining bond, VATRE, and bond/VATRE elections, there were a total of 86 districts that held elections on November 5th. 36 schools held bond elections and the success rate was approximately 30%. The VATRE average pass rate was approximately 49%.
Leadership Loss
- Rep. Steve Allison – defeated in Republican Primary Election
- House Public Education member
- Rep. Matt Schaefer – did not seek re-election
- House Public Education member
- Rep. John Kuempel – defeated in Republican Primary Election
- Chair of House Higher Education
- Rep. DeWayne Burns – defeated in Republican Primary Election
- House Higher Education member
- Rep. Travis Clardy – defeated in Republican Primary Election
- House Higher Education member
- Rep. John Raney – did not seek re-election
- House Higher Education member
- Rep. Geanie Morrison – did not seek re-election
- House Appropriations – Article III
- Rep. Evelina “Lina” Ortega – did not seek re-election
- House Appropriations – Article III
- Rep. Kronda Thimesch – defeated in Republican Primary
- House Appropriations – Article III
- Sen. Morgan LaMantia – defeated in General Election
- Senate Education member
- Sen. Drew Springer – not seeking re-election
- Senate Education & S/C on Higher Education member
New Faces for the 89th
Of the new faces coming into the 89th Session many of them have a background or family familiar with public education.
HD 12 Trey Wharton – Huntsville ISD Trustee
HD 18 Janis Holt (R) – Silsbee ISD Trustee & former school teacher
HD 29 Jeff Barry (R) – Pearland ISD Trustee
HD 62 Shelley Luther (R) – Former school teacher
HD 109 Aicha Davis (D) – State Board of Education Member District 13
HD 139 Charlene Ward Johnson (D) – HCC Board of Trustees
SBOE
The Texas State Board of Education has 15 members who serve four-year terms. Eight seats were on this year’s ballot. Three Republican incumbents seeking re-election successfully won their bid and two Democratic incumbents ran unopposed. Three new members were also elected to the SBOE in open seats (Districts 1, 11, and 13)
District 1 – Gustavo Reveles (D)
District 3 – Marisa Perez-Diaz (D)
District 4 – Staci Childs (D)
District 10 – Tom Maynard (R)
District 11 – Brandon Hall (R)
District 12 – Pam Little (R)
District 13 – Tiffany Clark (D)
District 15 – Aaron Kinsey (R)
