AMARILLO, TEXAS – Region 16 Education Service Center is proud to announce the Dumas Independent School District Board of Trustees has been named the 2026 Outstanding School Board of the Year for our region.
Education service centers across the state nominate school boards in their region for this honor. The award is presented by the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA).
“The leadership team at Dumas ISD has truly earned the distinction of 2026 School Board of the Year,” said Tanya Larkin, Ed.D., Region 16 Executive Director. “With forward-thinking guidance and an unwavering devotion to high standards, this board serves as a model of excellence for our region. Their relentless drive to advance student achievement and build strong community ties is evident in everything they do to empower students for future success.”
The following criteria was considered when selecting the regional winner:
- Function as a policy-making body
- Adherence to adopted board policies
- Support for educational performance
- Support for education improvement projects and school transformation
- Commitment to a code of ethics
- Provision of financial support for the school system
- Participation in workshops and improvement programs
- Placement of the welfare of children above personal or political motives
- Public relations efforts
- Maintenance of harmonious and supportive relationships among board members
TASA created the School Board Awards Program in 1971 to recognize those school boards that have demonstrated outstanding dedication and rendered ethical service to the children of Texas. The criteria emphasize evidence of support for educational performance improvement.
School boards nominated to represent their regions are in the running to be named one of five Texas Honor Boards, one of which is chosen as Texas' Outstanding School Board. The Dumas ISD Board of Trustees will represent Region 16 at the txEDCON26 TASA | TASB Convention in October.
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Located in Amarillo, Texas, Region 16 Education Service Center serves 60 school districts and three charter schools with 226 campuses in a 26,000 square mile area. Region 16 school districts have an average daily attendance of over 80,000 students, with individual districts ranging from fewer than 30 to more than 29,000 students and the total regional school staff numbering more than 11,400.
Media Contact:
Michelle Macha
Marketing Coordinator, Region 16 ESC