The month of February is considered Black History Month in the United States. We all realize that Black History is actually World History, and we should consider it as such. From the beginning of time to the present, contributions of Black people are recorded and let's continue to document. Continue to discuss and teach our history to the young people and celebrate what has been accomplished throughout history by our ancestors. Let February be the start of the year-round acknowledgement of Black history of the world.

It is most vital that we continue to teach and discuss our past, regardless of how repressive and terrible some of it has been. We cannot forget, change or lessen the impact of racism and hate that has affected people of color around the globe throughout all of history. Learn and remember our past, but continue making contributions as we have since before arriving at Jamestown, Virginia in 1619. We are strong and chosen warriors and people! Happy Black History month!

Take some time to let your loved ones know you are thinking of them. Valentine's Day is February 14th, and only one day in the year, but the spirit of Valentine's Day can be celebrated every day. Share your feelings with your loved ones while they can receive and enjoy your expressions of love and care.

Dr. Mary L. Thomas is originally from Dallas, Texas and has been in Austin, Texas for over 50 years. She is the original Family Life International Fellowship’s (FLIF) Clerk and currently, the Operation’s Director. As an active member of FLIF, she serves in numerous capacities at the Greater Calvary Bible Church. As a Trustee, Deaconess, Church Clerk, and Pastor’s Aid Coordinator, she volunteers in serving youth and the community. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from East Texas State University. She earned a doctorate degree from Texas A&M University, College Station. She is Director of the Servant Warrior Leader Rites of Passage process. As the founding President/CEO of Starr Consulting Firm, she conducts professional educational training for students, teachers, parents, administrators, agencies and community members.

As the founding President of the Austin Area Alliance of Black School Educators (Austin AABSE) over 30 years ago, she served as the inaugural President. She is the current president after expanding her leadership on the state and national levels. She is the seventh past president of the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) from 2006 - 2008. Under her leadership, the Faith Based and Aspiring Superintendent’s Symposiums were founded. She also served on the NABSE Board and Foundation Board. She was creator of the Ethics Policy.

She lends her gifts, skills, and talents to uplift all children, especially African American children. Dr. Thomas volunteers on numerous boards with causes that uplift mankind. Dr. Thomas has been in the field of education since 1975 in the roles of Early Childhood- Doctorate level teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, and central office administrator. She currently serves as Executive Director of State, Federal and Private Accountability in the Austin Independent School District where she oversees over one billion grant fund dollars and compliance. She is a trainer of trainers and certified in fourteen areas in education. Recently, Dr. Thomas was elected as Board of Trustees to the Manor ISD.

Recently, she was recognized and awarded as one of 100 Top Leaders and two Top Outstanding Leadership Awards in 2022 recognition to her contributions to the Fields of Education and Learning by Education 2.0. She is committed to doing the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons to benefit God and the scholars, employees, parents, and the community. She is passionate as a servant leader and gives her time to grow and develop others to reach their potential. She is family oriented and loves spending time traveling with her two children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Dr. Michael McFarland to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) for a term until February 1, 2027. The Board develops certification and continuing education requirements and standards of conduct for public school teachers. Dr. McFarland is the current superintendent of Crowley Independent School District. Congratulations to Dr. McFarland on his selection by Governor Abbott.

“I am honored to receive this appointment and excited to have a seat at the table,” Dr. McFarland said. “I recognize this appointment comes as a result of the significant impact that the Crowley ISD team has had on improving student outcomes in spite of challenging conditions. Strengthening the educator pipeline is critical to ensuring sustainable success of our public school system, and I am excited to be a part of the team that is charged with identifying solutions. Thank you to Commissioner of Education Mike Morath and Governor Greg Abbott for their confidence and trust. I am ready, willing and excited to serve.”

Dr. McFarland was the eleventh TABSE past president from 2014-2016 and the NABSE twenty-second past president from 2018-2021.

Voting is currently open for the election of TABSE Executive Board members for two-year terms. The positions of President-Elect, Financial Secretary, Correspondence Secretary, Historian and Chaplain will be filled by your votes. Elections are electronic and have been sent to all current dues paid TABSE members. Voting will conclude at the Annual State Conference this month and elected officers will be sworn into office at the conclusion of the State Conference. Candidates for the various offices are as listed below:

The Texas Education Association (TEA) has been laying the ground work for the state takeover of the largest school district in the state of Texas. The Houston ISD has since 2017, been under the microscope of TEA as a result of reports that some (3) schools performed unsuccessfully in state testing. During that early period of time, there was a situation where a dysfunctional HISD school board was fighting among themselves, and as a result, failing to meet the total needs of the district students.

Despite a new school board being elected, a new superintendent being named in June 2021, and some campus administrative changes, the school district has addressed and made numerous improvements amongst some campuses in question. Because Houston has elected new school board members and a new superintendent being named to lead the district in making improvements throughout the district, the question arises, how can the state takeover the district and remove the elected school board members and replace the superintendent with a conservator?

In a decision released Jan. 13, the Texas Supreme Court threw out a previous temporary injunction upheld by the Third Court of Appeals, siding with the TEA and its ability to move forward with taking over the district under the current law. The Texas Supreme Court cleared the way for the state to potentially take control of the Houston Independent School District, which state education officials say has been plagued by mismanagement and low academic performance at one of its high schools.

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath first moved to take over the district’s school board in 2019 in response to allegations of misconduct by trustees and years of low performance at one of its high schools. Houston ISD sued and, in 2020, a Travis County district judge halted Morath’s plan by granting a temporary injunction. The injunction was upheld by an appeals court, but the TEA took the case to the state’s highest court, where the agency’s lawyers argued last year that a 2021 law — which went into effect after the case was first taken to court — allows for a state takeover.

A final decision has not been determined at this time, however, the states largest school district will be impacted severely if a take over is allowed and will have ramifications for other school districts throughout Texas.

The 38th Annual TABSE State Conference will convene February 15-19, 2023 at the Horseshoe Bay Resort in Horseshoe Bay, Texas.

2023 TABSE Annual State Conference Registration Now Open

tabse.net

TABSE 38th Annual State Conference provides excellent learning opportunities designed to meet the needs of every educator. Register Today!

On January 11, 2023, Dr. Juli Ann Mazachek submitted a letter of resignation as President of Midwestern State University, in Wichita Falls, Texas. Dr. Mazachek resigned to accept a position as President of Washburn University, in Topeka, Kansas, where she had served for 30 years prior to accepting the position of President at Midwestern State in March 2022.

Accoding to Dr. Tedd Mitchell, Texas Tech University Chancellor, while this news may be unexpected, we are fortunate to have a strong leadership team and university community at MSU Texas. To assist during the transition, I have asked Keith Lamb, Ph.D., vice president for enrollment management and student affairs and chief strategy officer at MSU Texas, to serve as interim president. Dr. Lamb has accepted the role, effective today, and will continue to serve the university in a dual appointment at this time.

In the coming weeks, I will be working closely with MSU Texas leadership and our Board of Regents to formalize the next steps for our presidential search process. MSU Texas is a thriving institution with incredible momentum and talented and dedicated faculty, staff, students and supporters. There is no doubt we can find the best talent – from near and far, with the qualifications and leadership attributes the Mustangs family desires and deserves – to lead MSU Texas.

I will share those details and timing with you once that information becomes available, and if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me.

Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D.

Texas Tech University System Chancellor

Texas Tech University System

1508 Knoxville Avenue, Lubbock, TX 79409

806.742.2011

For the past several months NABSE has been collecting information to incorporate into a National NABSE Affiliate souvenir brochure. Through the efforts of Dr. Betty Howell Gray, Immediate Past South East Region Representative and several other affiliate contributors, a brochure has been prepared which highlights all aspects of NABSE from our early past to the present.

You are receiving this 146 page booklet for your personal perusal and enjoyment. It is my belief that a hard copy should be printed for each local affiliate to keep in your local files for future reference. It cannot be said that all NABSE members will receive this booklet, however, it is being provided to all TABSE members at this time. Thank you to the TABSE members who contributed to the brochure including Ms Rhonda Williams, which highlights some of our South West TABSE accomplishments.

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The Sweeny Independent School District, in partnership with parents and community, will provide a quality education for all students, empowering them to pursue their full intellectual, physical, and social potential and developing them to become productive citizens in an ever-changing, interdependent world.

Sweeny ISD is an open enrollment school district, welcoming students who live outside its boundaries to take advantage of small schools and personalized learning without paying tuition.