Tomball ISD School Board Named 2026 Region 4 Board of the Year Amid Continued District Growth
The Tomball ISD Board of Trustees has been named the 2026 Region 4 School Board of the Year, a recognition that highlights the board’s leadership during one of the most significant growth periods in the district’s history.
For families across Tomball, northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County, the honor reflects more than a title. It points to years of planning, bond decisions, campus openings and governance choices that have shaped how the district serves students in a community that continues to grow.
The award recognizes school boards that demonstrate strong leadership, ethical governance, service to students and a clear commitment to their local communities. As the Region 4 winner, the Tomball ISD Board of Trustees will now advance as the region’s nominee for the Texas Association of School Administrators Outstanding School Board Award. The statewide winner is scheduled to be announced Oct. 9 during txEDCON 2026, the TASA/TASB Convention, in Houston.
Leading Through Growth in Tomball ISD
Tomball ISD has changed dramatically over the past decade, growing alongside new neighborhoods, expanding business corridors and steady residential development across the region. Founded in 1908, the district now covers 83 square miles about 30 miles from downtown Houston and serves more than 23,300 students across 25 campuses.
That growth has required local school leaders to make long-term decisions about campuses, staffing, facilities, finances and student programs. Over the past 10 years, the Tomball ISD Board of Trustees has overseen the opening of seven campuses, a District Stadium and voter approval of the district’s three largest bond referendums.
The district’s 26th campus is scheduled to open this fall, continuing a pattern of expansion intended to keep pace with enrollment growth while preserving the district’s focus on academic achievement and student opportunity.
“Strong school boards create opportunities for students to succeed,” said Dr. Rodney Watson, executive director of Region 4 Education Service Center. “The Tomball ISD Board of Trustees has led with integrity through a period of significant growth while keeping students at the center of its decisions. Region 4 is proud to recognize a Board that serves its schools and community with purpose and collaboration.”
A Board With Local Roots
One of the details noted in the district’s announcement is the personal connection each current trustee has to Tomball ISD. Every member of the board has children or grandchildren who are current or former district students.
For a fast-growing district, that connection matters. It gives the board’s work a local lens, tying decisions about budgets, construction, academics and student support back to the families who experience those choices every day.
The current Tomball ISD Board of Trustees includes President Mark Lewandowski, Vice President John E. McStravick, Secretary Dr. Michael J. Pratt, Assistant Secretary Amanda Bass, Trustee Patrick Beecher, Trustee Coco White and Trustee Jennifer Kratky.
Together with Superintendent Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora, the board operates as what the district describes as a unified “Team of Eight,” a model centered on collaboration between the elected board and superintendent.
Superintendent Credits Steady, Student-Driven Governance
Tomball ISD leaders said the board was selected for its work during a period marked by enrollment growth, long-range planning and complex financial decisions.
“Since becoming Superintendent in 2017, I have been supported by a cohesive, student-driven Board of Trustees,” said Dr. Salazar-Zamora. “The longevity and intentional focus of our School Board truly makes a difference. Regardless of the challenges public education has faced in recent years, the Board has remained steadfast in its focus and led our District to continued success. Their passion for advocating for students and dedication to our community set them apart as a model for school boards across Texas.”
The recognition comes at a time when many Texas school districts are navigating rising costs, shifting enrollment patterns, facility needs and questions about how to best support students and staff. In Tomball ISD, district leaders said the board’s approach has remained centered on responsible stewardship, innovation and expanding educational opportunities.
Why the Region 4 Recognition Matters Locally
For Tomball ISD families, the Region 4 Board of the Year honor brings attention to the district’s role as one of the area’s major community anchors. Schools influence where families choose to live, how neighborhoods grow and how communities maintain a shared sense of identity during periods of change.
Tomball ISD’s stated mission is to educate students to become responsible, productive citizens by providing innovative, individually rigorous and personally valuable educational experiences. That mission has taken on added importance as the district continues to add students, campuses and programs.
The regional award also places Tomball ISD in consideration for statewide recognition through TASA’s Outstanding School Board Award. The statewide announcement in Houston this October will put the district alongside other top-performing boards from across Texas.
What Happens Next
With the Region 4 honor secured, the Tomball ISD Board of Trustees will represent the region as a nominee for the TASA Outstanding School Board Award. The statewide winner will be announced Oct. 9 at txEDCON 2026, the TASA/TASB Convention, in Houston.
As Tomball ISD prepares to open its 26th campus this fall, the recognition adds another marker to a period of growth that continues to shape the district and the broader Tomball community.
Residents can stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more updates on Tomball ISD schools, local education news, campus openings and community developments.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.