The Texas Legislature’s 2023 regular session adjourned without tapping the state’s historic budget surplus to raise educator salaries, invest in student success programs and technology, or help Texas schools balance their books. While another special session this fall could deliver increased state support of public education, concerns abound regarding where our public schools go from here.
Join us online and in person in Austin on July 25 at 9 a.m. as we talk with a Texas school superintendent, a teacher and a Texas lawmaker about how public schools are faring post-session. We’ll discuss how the debate on property tax cuts is impacting their work, what they’re expecting to shake out of a forthcoming special session, and what moves we’ll need to make as a state to educate Texas’ next generation. We'll also be joined by a private schools advocate for a conversation dedicated to education savings accounts and the larger "school choice” debate.
The moderator for this event is Texas Tribune public education reporter Brian Lopez.
Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. at the Tribune’s Studio 919, located at 919 Congress Ave., Sixth Floor, in Austin. The hourlong conversation will begin at 9 a.m. Parking will not be provided; street and garage parking as well as ride-sharing are recommended.
This in-person event will be livestreamed for virtual attendees and will be available to watch on demand afterward at texastribune.org/events.
State Senator Brandon Creighton, serving District 4, leads both the Senate Committees on Public Education and Higher Education, joining two consequential committees to advance bold reforms for the future of Texas and ensuring the next generation is prepared for a 21st century economy. He also serves as a key member of Senate Finance, and as a member of numerous committees including Business and Commerce, and Jurisprudence.
Stephanie Elizalde was elected by the Board of Trustees in June 2022 to serve as Superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District. She is a third-generation public school educator, following in the footsteps of her grandmother and father. She earned a bachelor of Science degree in biology and a master of arts degree in educational leadership from UT-San Antonio, and holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy from UT-Austin. Elizalde previously served as superintendent of the Austin Independent School District.
Laura Herrera, a pre-K teacher at Harmony Hills Elementary School in the North East Independent School District, is a native of San Antonio and a Baylor University graduate. She has served 20 years in the same district, and at the same campus of her community. She is heavily involved with her teachers association, ATPE, and has been a member since 2004.
Laura Colangelo is the executive director of the Texas Private Schools Association, an advocacy organization representing over 900 private, accredited schools in Texas in the state Legislature and in D.C. In this role, she is the “public voice of private schools in Texas."
Program note: Colangelo will join the July 25 event mid-program for a dedicated panel conversation on education savings accounts and the larger "school choice" debate.
Brian Lopez is the public education reporter for The Texas Tribune. He joined the Tribune in August 2021 after a covering local government at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for a little over a year. The Star-Telegram was his first gig after graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington in May 2020, where he worked for the student-run newspaper The Shorthorn.
The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism.
Find a complete list of them here.
Email us at events@texastribune.org
Sab Pell is senior director of product marketing at Openform, where her goal is to help people unlock the power of in-person events. Prior to Openform, she led global product marketing teams. Sab Pell is senior director of product marketing at Openform, where her goal is to help people unlock the power of in-person events. Prior to Openform, she led global product marketing teams.
