Candidates for the Texas State Board of Education are on the ballot in several Houston-area counties. Here is what you need to know about their role in Texas Legislation.

What do SBOE members do?

Texas' SBOE is in charge of setting policies and standards for all public schools in the state. According to the Texas Education Agency, responsibilities of SBOE members include:

  • Setting curriculum standards

  • Reviewing and adopting instructional materials

  • Establishing graduation requirements

  • Overseeing the Texas Permanent School Fund, which uses proceeds from certain land sales to fund public schools

  • Appointing board members to military reservation and special school districts

  • Providing final review of rules proposed by the State Board for Educator Certification

  • Reviewing the commissioner's proposed award of new charter schools, with authority to veto a recommended applicant


How are SBOE members elected?

There are 15 SBOE districts in Texas. Each district contains one elected representative, and the governor appoints one member to serve as the chair of the board.

To view a map of Texas' districts, visit www.tea.texas.gov/communications/sboe-districts

When does the SBOE meet?

The next SBOE meeting will be Nov. 15-18.

2017 meeting dates will be:

Jan. 31-Feb. 3
April 18-21
June 20-23
Sept. 12-15
Nov. 7-10

Who will be on the ballot?

The Houston area contains six SBOE districts. The following candidates will be on the ballot in their respective counties Nov. 8.

District 6 (includes Harris County)

Donna Bahorich*, R (current board chair)
www.donna4texas.com

Dakota Carter, D
www.dakotafortx.com

Whitney Bilyeu, L
www.whitneybilyeu.com

District 8 (includes Montgomery County)

Barbara Cargill*, R
www.barbaracargill.com

District 10 (includes Waller County)

Judy Jennings, D

Tom Maynard*, R
www.maynardfortexas.com

* indicates incumbent