November 2020 Donna Bahorich Retirement Resolution

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS Donna Bahorich may represent the geographically smallest State Board of Education District, serving part of Harris County, yet she has had a Texas-sized impact on the board and the state’s education system; and

WHEREAS since first elected in 2012, she has served on all three board standing committees and many ad hoc committees, including as chair of the Committee on School Initiatives, and twice appointed as chair of the State Board of Education by Governor Abbott; and

WHEREAS during her tenure as board chair from June 2015 to September 2019, Donna Bahorich led changes to the process that involved more Texans in the curriculum standards review and revision process, created an annual free education conference, increased the public's access to instructional materials, and spearheaded efforts to produce a new Long-Range Plan for Public Education; and

WHEREAS she steadfastly worked to make sure the board retained an active role in the charter school selection process; and

WHEREAS this active Republican proved to be an inclusive leader who worked tirelessly to bring together diverse groups of board members and education advocates to produce bipartisan results that were in the best interest of the students; and

WHEREAS Donna Bahorich became a role model for board members as she spent long hours studying issues and crafting amendments before each board meeting; and

WHEREAS her efforts have been widely recognized as she has received numerous “champion” and a “friend of education” awards now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education thanks this dedicated leader for her service to the board and her adopted state; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Donna Bahorich and that a copy be included in the permanent records of the State Board of Education.

WITNESS our signatures this twentieth day of November, two thousand and twenty, in Austin, Texas.


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Keven Ellis, Chair

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Georgina C. Pérez, Secretary