On September 22, the board of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) voted to make former State Rep. Gary VanDeaver of New Boston the organization’s next executive director, effective Oct. 1. VanDeaver resigned his House District 1 seat the day before the appointment was announced.
Board praises VanDeaver’s experience
TASB President Tony Hopkins called VanDeaver “a leading voice in policy discussions on public education” and said his twelve‑year tenure in the Texas House, representing a rural district, was a key reason for the hire.
Critics point to legislative record
Opponents note that VanDeaver’s voting history aligns closely with the interests TASB traditionally defends. He earned an “F” on the Fiscal Responsibility Index for every biennium from 2015 through 2023, and received another “F” in 2025 with a score of 59, only marginally above the House average of 58.
During his time in office, VanDeaver voted against Senate Bill 29 in 2019, a proposal that would have banned taxpayer‑funded lobbying by local subdivisions. He also accepted campaign contributions from firms that represent clients who benefit from such lobbying, including HillCo Partners and Focused Advocacy.
From 2020 to 2022, while serving on education‑related committees, VanDeaver worked as a paid consultant for Powell Law Group, a firm that markets government‑affairs services to school‑district leaders seeking legislative influence.
School‑choice controversy
In April 2025, VanDeaver was one of only two House Republicans to vote against Senate Bill 2, the education savings account legislation that created a statewide school‑choice option for parents. The other Republican who voted “no” was former Speaker Dade Phelan; every Democrat on the floor also voted “no.” The Republican Party of Texas later censured VanDeaver for that vote.
Financial context of lobbying
Statewide, local governments have spent increasing sums on contract lobbying: about $41 million in 2017, roughly $75 million in 2021, $98.6 million in 2023, and an estimated $111.5 million in the most recent session, according to a Texas Public Policy Foundation analysis. Critics argue that those dollars could be redirected to infrastructure, public safety or classroom resources.
What the hire means for TASB
The appointment places a former legislator who supported taxpayer‑funded lobbying and opposed the state’s first school‑choice program at the helm of an organization that collects dues from more than a thousand school districts. Supporters say VanDeaver’s experience will help TASB navigate Capitol policy battles, while detractors warn that the move signals a continuation of the status quo rather than a shift toward reform.
As the 90th Legislature prepares to convene, the TASB leadership’s decision will likely influence how the association approaches upcoming debates on school funding, lobbying reform and parental‑choice initiatives.
Original reporting: Texans for Fiscal Responsibility — read the source article.
