Plano ISD Board Named Top Five Texas Honor Board and H-E-B Excellence in Education Award Finalist

Plano ISD Board of Trustees pictured at the 2025 Plano Senior High Graduation.

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Plano ISD celebrates a remarkable achievement: the Plano Independent School District Board of Trustees has been named one of five Honor School Boards in Texas by the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) as part of the 2025 School Board Awards Program. This prestigious recognition highlights the Board’s commitment, dedicated service and profound impact on public education within the district and across the state. Named Region 10's 2025 Outstanding School Board in June, these Trustees stand among the very best, leading with vision and integrity.

This award-winning seven-member team includes Board President Dr. Lauren Tyra, Board Vice President Nancy Humphrey, Board Secretary Tarrah Lantz, Trustee Michael Cook, Trustee Katherine Goodwin, Trustee Sam Johnson and Trustee Elisa Klein. 

Plano ISD was selected by a committee of Texas school superintendents based on the following criteria:

• Support for educational performance
• Support for educational improvement projects
• Commitment to a code of ethics
• Maintenance of harmonious and supportive relationships among board members

“It is evident that the Plano ISD Board operates at a high level of governance excellence,” the selection committee stated. “Programs like the Leadership and Ambassadors Program and Round Tables with the business community demonstrate their strong commitment to community engagement. It is this comprehensive approach to engagement that has led to ongoing progress and community trust to pass a bond and VATRE in the school district.”

Colorado ISD, Galena Park ISD, Memphis ISD and Temple ISD were announced as the other finalists. The Plano ISD Board of trustees was named a top five Honor Board in 2014.

These five boards were finalists for the program’s highest honor: 2025 Outstanding School Board. Each board was interviewed on September 12 at txEDCON25, hosted by TASA and the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX. Colorado City ISD was selected as the 2025 Outstanding School Board.

In January of 2025, the Board was also named a Top 5 Finalist for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Award. The award honors school boards that have exhibited exceptional leadership measured by three criteria:

● Academic and student progress within the district
● Identification of community needs and implementation of specific actions addressing them
● Innovative approaches to community engagement

“This nomination reflects the commitment of our entire school board, educators, staff and community to provide an outstanding educational experience for every student,” said Plano ISD Superintendent Dr. Theresa Williams. “Our board invests countless hours, leveraging their expertise and passion to create opportunities for every student in Plano ISD. Their dedication transforms our district's mission of 'educating, inspiring and empowering every student to activate their unique potential' from a statement into reality.”

Plano ISD received $5,000 for being named a finalist. Joining Plano ISD in the School Board category are:
● Clear Creek ISD
● Gregory-Portland ISD
● Lamar CISD
● New Braunfels ISD