Ector County ISD leaders advocate for public education at Texas Capitol
Bowie Middle School Principal Amy Russell and Lauren Tavarez, ECISD's Director of Digital Learning, met with state legislators to share firsthand experiences about the challenges and successes within their district, emphasizing the need for stronger educational policies and funding.
Russell and Tavarez, both alumni of Raise Your Hand Texas initiatives, were selected from a pool of applicants statewide for this advocacy event. The initiative provided two options: delivering public testimony or meeting directly with legislators.
Russell opted to visit legislative offices, where she and her group engaged in discussions with lawmakers about the importance of supporting House Bill 2 (HB 2) and House Bill 26 (HB 26)—key pieces of legislation impacting public school funding and operations.
She met with Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows, Representative Gina Hinojosa, Ector County's Representative Brooks Landgraf, and Senators Royce West and Kevin Sparks.
'It was impressive to see what goes into changing funding, and also rewarding to see non-educators stand up, speak up, and work to make change happen for Texas schools,' Russell said. 'We really enjoyed being a voice for ECISD students, staff, and families and value the impact we felt we made on such an important topic affecting so many of us.'
Tavarez took a different approach, opting to provide testimony before the House Committee on Public Education regarding HB 2, a bill focused on public school finance and funding. She delivered a three-minute testimony before answering questions from committee members. Her testimony can be viewed at this link, beginning at the 17:00 mark.
'It was a great day, we learned a lot and were so proud to have the opportunity for our voices to be heard,' Tavarez said. 'This was a unique platform to gain valuable insight, forge important connections, and contribute meaningfully to the dialogue about public education.'
Their advocacy efforts highlight ECISD's commitment to improving education policy and funding, ensuring that Texas students and educators receive the support they need. By stepping into the legislative arena, Russell and Tavarez demonstrated the power of firsthand experience in shaping policies that impact schools statewide.
'We are proud of their leadership and commitment to the betterment of our educational system,' ECISD Chief Communications, Mike Adkins wrote.
Their participation in this event serves as a reminder of the importance of advocacy in education, reinforcing the need for ongoing engagement with policymakers to address the challenges facing Texas schools.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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