Tomball ISD trustees describe Raise Your Hand Texas visits, plan April advocacy trip to Austin

Trustall ISD board members received an update Feb. 3 on recent advocacy work from district staff and Raise Your Hand Texas, and discussed planning for legislative outreach in Austin in April.

District staff and trustees said they attended advocacy training (testimony practice and meetings with legislative staff) and met with several offices to deliver the district’s legislative priorities. Tina and Mark (staff) and others participated in meetings with congressional or legislative offices and staffers while in Austin, administration said.

The board discussed two upcoming opportunities: a February 18 TASA/TASB legislative conference in Austin with an informational morning session and the option to visit the Capitol, and a larger Raise Your Hand Texas coordinated visit on April 10. Administration and trustees outlined a proposed "core 10" for the April visit — a group large enough to provide a strong Tomball presence but small enough to remain effective in individual office meetings. Trustees suggested the district’s grassroots volunteers and listening‑circle participants lead many of the conversations, with board members present as hosts and supporters.

Administration emphasized the value of building relationships with members' staff and chiefs of staff between sessions. Trustees asked staff to organize logistics (transportation and scheduling) for the April day trip and to coordinate who will be part of the core delegation. Administration said it would propose a roster and logistics, including district transportation, and would work with the advocacy committee to finalize participants.

Ending: trustees asked staff to return with a proposed delegation list and schedule; no formal board vote occurred on travel or expenditures during the meeting.