TAMS NEWS
November 6, 2026
Howdy TAMS Membership, Sponsors, and Supporters!
“Every election is determined by the people who show up.” — Larry J. Sabato
This is one for the history books—a stunning and unexpected outcome that few could have imagined, much less predicted. But the people showed up and made their voices heard!
The November 3 election is bringing significant changes to Texas' political landscape, marking a historic shift in state leadership and setting the stage for a very different conversation about the future of public education.
Democrats swept the major statewide races, including the governor's office, with State Representative Gina Hinojosa defeating incumbent Governor Greg Abbott. Democrats also gained control of the Texas House of Representatives, ending 24 years of Republican control. Republicans, however, retained a majority in the Texas Senate, creating a new dynamic in state leadership as Texas prepares for the 90th Legislative Session in January 2027.
For public education, the election results could signal a significant shift in policy priorities, particularly around school funding, school choice, accountability, and local district governance.
What This Could Mean for Public Education in Texas:
Several issues will likely take center stage as the new administration and Legislature begin establishing their priorities:
- School Finance and Funding Equity: The need for adequate, sustainable public school funding will remain a critical issue. Rising operational costs, teacher compensation, special education, and the financial challenges facing small and midsize districts will be important considerations as lawmakers revisit school finance. While our initial strategy focused on prioritizing increased funding for the ABC Allotment, the recent changes in state leadership may create an opportunity to revisit our approach and consider placing renewed emphasis on increasing the basic allotment, including an inflationary driver. We will engage our TAMS Officers and Board in this discussion as we evaluate the evolving legislative landscape and work together to establish and finalize our legislative priorities.
- School Choice and Vouchers: The future of Texas' education savings account program will likely be one of the most prominent legislative debates. Governor-elect Hinojosa has expressed opposition to the program; however, its future will ultimately depend on legislative action.
- Local Control and Accountability: Changes in state leadership could bring renewed discussion about district takeovers, TEA oversight, accountability ratings, and the relationship between state authority and local decision-making. With the anticipated departure of Commissioner Mike Morath, there may be an opportunity to strengthen local control and provide districts with greater flexibility in making decisions that best serve their students and communities.
- Teacher Recruitment and Retention: Teacher compensation, workforce shortages, and sustainable funding for teacher incentives and professional development will continue to be important priorities. Governor-elect Hinojosa has emphasized commitment to improving teacher compensation statewide, with a focus on ensuring that all Texas teachers benefit from increased pay and greater investment in the teaching profession.
- Curriculum and Instruction: Changes in state leadership and potentially the State Board of Education could influence curriculum standards, instructional materials, and other decisions affecting Texas classrooms. Issues to watch include social studies curriculum, bible-related instruction and classroom requirements, the selection and approval of instructional materials, and the relationship between SBOE policy and local district authority.
What Does This Mean for Small and Midsize Districts?
For small and midsize school districts, this transition presents an important opportunity to ensure our unique needs are part of the statewide school finance conversation. Funding equity, diseconomies of scale, increasing operational costs, and the long-term sustainability of smaller districts must remain at the forefront of legislative discussions.
As the 90th Legislature approaches, it will be important for district leaders and education advocates to communicate the realities facing their communities and make the case for policies that recognize the diverse needs of Texas school districts.
Looking Ahead: The Importance of Advocacy
The election may have changed the political landscape, but one thing remains constant: the responsibility to ensure every Texas student has access to a high-quality public education.
With new leadership in the Governor's Office and Texas House, and a Republican majority remaining in the Senate, building relationships across the political spectrum will be essential. The decisions made during the upcoming legislative session will have lasting implications for school districts, educators, students, and communities across Texas.
As we prepare for the 90th Legislature, TAMS will continue advocating for equitable school funding, recognizing the unique challenges of small and midsize districts, and ensuring their voices are heard in the conversations that will shape the future of public education in Texas.
The election is over, but the work of advocating for Texas public education is just beginning.
Let’s do this!
Greg, Jodi, and Missy
Membership Drive
We have extended the TAMS membership drive through November 15, 2026! If you have not yet joined or renewed your membership for the 2026–27 school year, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible to stay connected, informed, and engaged—especially as we prepare for the 90th Legislative Session and continue our focused advocacy for school finance.
Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, we have been able to keep annual membership dues at an affordable $500.
Join or renew your membership here: Texas Association of Midsize Schools – 2026–27 Renewal Information.
Please note that after November 15, individuals and districts without an active TAMS membership will no longer receive our monthly updates on events and activities or our legislative reports throughout the upcoming session.
As a reminder, TAMS is committed to securing equitable education funding for small and midsize school districts, addressing the disparities in size and diseconomies of scale built into Texas’ school finance system. The small/midsize adjustment currently provides an average benefit of approximately $1 million per district, and we remain committed to protecting and strengthening this critical funding as we look toward the 90th Legislative Session.
If you have questions about the small/midsize adjustment or the benefit your district receives, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to working together to advance the needs of Texas’ midsize schools.
Upcoming Events
Get ready to dust off your boots and add a little bling! The annual TAMS & MoakCasey Legislative Conference is set for December 2–4, 2026, and it’s an event you won’t want to miss. Held after the November elections and ahead of the legislative session, this conference offers a timely opportunity to connect with lawmakers, statewide leaders, and fellow education advocates as we prepare for the 90th Texas Legislative Session.
New this year, we are excited to introduce our inaugural Pre-Legislative School Finance Workshop, led by the MoakCasey School Finance Team. This special workshop, along with our annual conference, will provide timely insights, practical information, and meaningful conversations to help school leaders prepare for the legislative challenges and opportunities ahead.
Conference attire? Diamonds & Denim, of course! Jeans, boots, and a little bling are encouraged—hats are optional!
We also strongly encourage you to bring members of your senior leadership team. Advocacy for public education is becoming an increasingly important responsibility for all of us, and it is critical that our leadership teams are informed, engaged, and ready to help shape the future of Texas public education.
Haven’t registered yet? Now is the time! The deadline to reserve your hotel room at the conference rate is Tuesday, November 15, 2026.
Let’s make sure we have all our boots on the ground as we prepare for the 90th Legislative Session. We look forward to seeing you there!
SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT
Pogue Construction
We are excited to welcome Pogue Construction as our newest Platinum Sponsor!
Based in Texas, Pogue Construction is a 100% employee-owned construction firm with offices in McKinney, Fort Worth, and Houston. With more than 45 years of experience, Pogue is dedicated to building spaces that strengthen schools and communities. Recognized as the nation’s No. 2 education builder, the company partners with school districts across Texas to create facilities that support student success, empower educators, and serve communities for generations to come.
What makes Pogue such a great partner is their commitment to the relationships behind every project. They understand that building schools is about more than bricks and mortar—it’s about investing in the people, students, and communities that make each district special.
Please join us in welcoming Pogue Construction to the TAMS family!
Diamond Business Solutions/Evolv
Safety Has a Price Tag. And one of our sponsors has a plan to help districts find the funding they need to protect their schools.
Join Grant Wave and Diamond Business Solutions, with guest speaker Jill Lemond from Evolv, for an informative webinar exploring funding opportunities, grant resources, and strategies to support school safety initiatives. Register here to reserve your spot.
Welcome to new Silver Sponsors: ACCEL Schools and SitelogIQ.
Welcome to new Bronze Sponsors: Stifel and Structured Technology Solutions!
Structured Technology Solutions
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
Connect with us
Jodi Duron, Assistant Executive Director 210-862-3597, jduron@midsizeschools.org
Missy Dvorak, Executive Assistant, 512-247-8469, midsizeschools@gmail.com
Website: www.midsizeschools.org
Location: PO Box 1371, Graham, TX 76450
Phone: 210-865-6132
Twitter: @TAMSTEXAS