Texas Rural Education Association

Bill Tarleton of TREA was proud to be a part of recognizing Thrall as TREA 2026 Board of the Year as well as Superintendent Tommy Ho**er and his family for 15 years of service to Thrall.

Happy Labor Day from TREA! 🇺🇸

Today, we celebrate the hardworking people who make our communities stronger. Thank you for all you do!

Wishing everyone a safe and restful Labor Day.

📣 TREA’s updated 2026–2027 Annual Sponsorship packages are now available!

TREA Annual Sponsorships provide organizations with year-round opportunities to build visibility, engage with rural Texas school leaders, and support rural schools and students—along with valuable access to the TREA Annual Conference.

Every sponsorship package has been updated, and we are excited to introduce our new Platinum Annual Sponsorship level.

Annual Sponsorship levels include:
🔹 Diamond — $15,000
🔹 Platinum — $9,000
🔹 Gold — $6,000
🔹 Silver — $3,000
🔹 Bronze — $1,000

Where Rural Matters. Partner With Rural Texas.

Explore the updated Annual Sponsorship packages:�https://www.txrea.com/sponsorship-benefits

Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

Rural schools deserve a strong voice in the conversations shaping public education across Texas.

TREA works year-round to ensure the needs, challenges, and successes of rural districts are represented at the Capitol and in statewide discussions. Together, our members strengthen the collective voice of rural education.

Join or renew your district’s membership for the 2026–2027 membership year beginning September 1—and help us continue championing rural schools across Texas.

Patti Everitt – Rural Impact Award

Recognizing a Lasting Impact on Rural Education

During the 2026 TREA Annual Conference, TREA was honored to present Patti Everitt with the TREA Rural Impact Award.

The Rural Impact Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to rural schools and communities. Patti Everitt is an independent consultant who provides factual information regarding the history of charter schools in Texas, as well as the impact the charter school system has on public school districts in Texas. Patti assists districts in providing Impact statements when a charter system is being proposed in their rural community.

Her dedication to equipping school leaders with the information they need to advocate for their students and communities has made a meaningful difference for rural education across Texas.

Congratulations, Patti, and thank you for your continued commitment to strengthening rural schools and the communities they serve.

Your rural voice starts here.

The 2026–2027 TREA membership year begins September 1, and now is the time to join the statewide network built specifically for rural Texas schools.

TREA membership connects your district with year-round advocacy, access to the TREA Legal Services Program, rural education leaders across Texas, and an annual conference designed around the needs of rural schools. Your membership also includes membership with the National Rural Education Association, extending your district’s connections and representation beyond Texas.

Join TREA today and make sure your district has a voice at the table.

Learn more and join: https://www.txrea.com/join-today-

During the 2026 TREA Annual Conference, we were proud to present State Representative Drew Darby with the TREA Distinguished Service Award.

Representative Darby has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to rural public education through his leadership, accessibility, and dedication to serving Texas schools. His willingness to listen to educators, understand the unique challenges facing rural districts, and take meaningful legislative action has made a lasting impact on students, educators, and communities across our state.

Congratulations, Representative Darby, and thank you for your distinguished service to Texas rural schools!

Drew Darby for Texas

Rural voices are being heard at the Texas Capitol.

Dr. Brandon Enos, Chair of the TREA Legislative Committee, recently provided invited testimony before the Texas House Committee on Public Education during its discussion of special education.

Dr. Enos shared the challenges school districts are experiencing with special education evaluations and testing requirements, including the financial and administrative burdens these mandates can place on rural districts. He also discussed potential solutions to help ensure districts have the resources necessary to provide these services effectively.

During the hearing, Dr. Enos provided committee members with TREA’s legislative brief, “89th Legislative Session: Impacts on Rural Texas Schools.” Developed from survey responses submitted by TREA member superintendents, the brief outlines the top five concerns facing rural districts following the legislative session, with each issue broken down by the reality, the rural impact, and the ask.

While holding up the brief, Representative Helen Kerwin told Dr. Enos, “This is amazing, by the way. Thank you!”

This moment demonstrates the value of listening to our member districts and placing their concerns directly in the hands of policymakers. The TREA Legislative Committee brings rural perspectives to the forefront of critical legislative conversations at the Texas Capitol.

📄 Read the TREA Legislative Brief
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-N4ge3mFwQgpqGDaBYEhJGwBVZ4e6WI9/view?usp=sharing

🎥 Watch Representative Kerwin’s Response
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v9uIuBCGP9ag9_0hU7bow_QZ7cYMw8kK/view?usp=sharing