Special to The Leader

AUSTIN — Rebecca Rutledge of Bridge City ISD was one of 95 school board members who is developing the legislative program of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).  Rutledge was elected to the TASB Legislative Advisory Council during a regional grassroots meeting of public school board members earlier this year. 

The Council met in Austin on April 16 to consider the regional legislative priorities identified by school board members across the state and develop one statewide list of priorities to guide the Association. The TASB Advocacy Agenda, created through direct input from Texas school board members, guides the legislative and advocacy efforts of the Association on behalf of public school students.

The Council discussed issues related to school finance, governance, and accountability during its meeting, which is the first of three. The priority statements finalized by the Council during its next meeting on June 16 will go to TASB’s Legislative Committee and Board of Directors for review before they are sent to TASB’s Delegate Assembly for final adoption in September.

TASB is a voluntary, non-profit association established in 1949 to serve local Texas School districts. Its membership includes every public school district in the state, as well as county school boards, junior colleges, tax appraisal districts, cooperatives and education service centers.  TASB represents the largest group of publicly elected officials in the state.