TASA Announces 5 Texas Honor Boards for 2025

Five school boards from across Texas have been selected as Honor School Boards as part of the 2025 TASA School Board Awards. Each year, the program recognizes outstanding Texas school boards for commitment and service that has made a positive impact on Texas public school students.

The five Honor Boards were selected by a committee of Texas school superintendents. The selection committee's decisions were based on criteria that include: support for educational performance, support for educational improvement projects, commitment to a code of ethics, and maintenance of harmonious and supportive relationships among board members.

The five school boards selected as 2025 Texas Honor School Boards are:

Colorado ISD Board of Trustees, Region 14, Larry Polk, nominating superintendent
The School Board Awards Committee was impressed by the Colorado ISD Board of Trustees' strong commitment to governance and to academic improvement for students. "Trustees believe in students having 'a seat at the table' and elevating the student voice in their decision-making process." The committee also noted that the board shows clear strengths in ethics, harmony, and student-centered values. "The board is thoughtful and collaborative, with a visible focus on long-term planning, community relationships, and instructional improvement," the committee said.

Superintendent Larry Polk nominated the board for this honor: "[The board's] unwavering commitment to student performance is evident in their strong support for academic innovation. From celebrating our growing eSports team and STEM programs to backing expanded dual credit and CTE opportunities, our trustees understand that achievement takes many forms and they support them all. … Their leadership has not only restored pride within our district, it has inspired a renewed belief in what public education can achieve."

Galena Park ISD Board of Trustees, Region 4, John Moore, nominating superintendent
The School Board Awards Committee was impressed by the Galena Park ISD board's ability to demonstrate a highly functioning, collaborative, and student-focused board. "It is clear that the Galena Park ISD Board of Trustees values feedback from the field and supports educational improvement." The committee also said that the board has demonstrated academic excellence while meeting the needs of a diverse student population, places a strong emphasis on high-quality professional development and mental health and emotional supports for students, and that the board's activism and engagement with the community was evident with the recent passing of a 2024 bond that had overwhelming voter support.

Superintendent John Moore nominated the board: "Under the board's committed leadership, our Galena Park ISD students have performed higher than the state's target goals in every index, but the achievements of our students go far beyond the walls of the classrooms. Whether in academics, athletics, fine arts, or CTE, Galena Park ISD students have accomplished amazing things under this board's leadership and encouragement. Indeed, our trustees are the students' greatest cheerleaders, in victory and defeat, and it is not uncommon to see them cheering students on at athletic events, academic meets, and other school programs."

Memphis ISD Board of Trustees, Region 16, William Alexander, nominating superintendent
The School Board Awards Committee was impressed with the Memphis ISD board's ability to represent a comprehensive, data-supported case of excellence across all criteria, from strategic governance and instructional leadership to ethics, finance, and community engagement. "This board represents a top-tier example of rural innovation, accountability, and unified leadership," the committee noted, "Memphis ISD is at the forefront of innovation in their region."

Superintendent William Alexander nominated the board: "Our board is deeply involved with the educational community, representing the district's strong values at regional and state levels, which translates directly into improved student outcomes. We consistently strive for excellence for all of our students and staff, encouraging innovation in all aspects of the education system, from instructional practices that best support academic growth to robust community partnerships."

Plano ISD Board of Trustees, Region 10, Theresa Nolan Williams, nominating superintendent
The School Board Awards Committee was impressed with the Plano ISD board's focus on educational improvements and celebrating academic growth, particularly noting an initiative called Powered by Learning, which celebrates outstanding academic growth among students and staff, as well as the board recently engaging in a comprehensive curriculum management audit. "It is evident that the Plano ISD Board operates at a high level of governance excellence," the committee stated. "Programs like the Leadership and Ambassadors Program and Round Tables with the business community demonstrate their strong commitment to community engagement. It is this comprehensive approach to engagement that has led to ongoing progress and community trust to pass a bond and VATRE in the school district."

Superintendent Theresa Nolan Williams nominated the board: "What distinguishes this board is their unity of purpose, mutual respect, and willingness to embrace diverse perspectives. Each trustee brings unique experience, enriching collective decision-making, and ensuring every community voice is valued. Their collaborative approach and high ethical standards foster a culture of trust and transparency throughout Plano ISD."

Temple ISD Board of Trustees, Region 12, Bobby Ott, nominating superintendent
The School Board Awards Committee was impressed by the Temple ISD board's focus on data-informed leadership, student-centered priorities, and ethical governance. The committee noted that trustees successfully integrate strategic goals with community engagement and performance oversight. "The Temple trustees pride themselves on transparency, demonstrated by their Board Self-Evaluation process." The committee also noted that the board demonstrates strong support for their superintendent and implements policy with fidelity. Also of note was that the board engages in quarterly visits to see policy in action at various school sites, helping to inform decision making and keeping stakeholder needs at the forefront.

Superintendent Bobby Ott nominated the board: "In working through a series of high-level decisions that have elevated and continued to unify the community at-large, this Board has fulfilled their role with the highest degree of responsibility, compassion, and diligence. This is a Board of diverse perspectives, varying backgrounds, and mutual respect for one another, with a singular focus on doing what is right for all students and staff of Temple ISD. The progress made in the last 36 months is directly tied to the leadership, direction, and support of this School Board."

While this is the first time in the award program's history that the Colorado or Memphis ISD school boards have been selected as statewide honor boards, Temple's was an Honor Board in 2020, 2001, and 1983, Galena Park's was an Honor Board in 2017, and Plano's was an Honor Board in 2014.

The five boards are now finalists for the program's highest honor: 2025 Outstanding School Board. They will be interviewed September 12 at txEDCON25, the TASA | TASB Convention in Houston, where one board will be named Outstanding School Board the next day. The other Honor Boards, as well as the regional winners, will also be recognized at that time.

The 10 boards to be recognized as 2025 Regional Honor Boards are:

Since 1971, the TASA school board awards program has honored Texas school district boards of trustees that have demonstrated dedication to student achievement and that put students first.