Missy Bender, a former school board President and a trusted advocate for public education in Texas, has been named the new Executive Director of the Texas School Coalition.
The Coalition, which represents school districts that pay recapture to the state, advocates for lasting, meaningful investments in Texas public schools. Christy Rome, the Coalition’s Executive Director since 2012, announced in January that she was departing the role.
Bender has been Raise Your Hand Texas’ Regional Advocacy Director for Collin and Denton counties since 2019 and, in 2021, became the group’s Trustee in Residence. Before joining Raise Your Hand Texas, she served on the Plano ISD Board of Trustees for 13 years, including three years as Board President. As a trustee, she testified on behalf of the Coalition and worked closely with leaders from other Coalition districts to build support for the group’s legislative priorities.
“Missy brings the leadership, experience, and fundamental belief in public education that our Coalition needs at this pivotal moment in history,” said Kyle Lynch, the Superintendent of Seminole ISD and the President of the Texas School Coalition. “As a longtime trustee in one of the state’s largest recapture-paying districts, she understands the unique challenges facing our members and sees the importance of investing in all students. She has further developed and proven her leadership talents during her time with Raise Your Hand Texas, which is one of the state’s most widely respected education advocacy organizations. “. We look forward to working with Missy to build upon the Coalition’s successes as we begin a new chapter in the organization’s service to Texas students.”
During her time as a trustee, Bender received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Texas Association of School Boards, was recognized as a Girl Boss by Plano Magazine, received the Distinguished Leadership Award by Leadership Plano, and was named Citizen of the Year by the Plano Chamber of Commerce. She is also a former management consultant at IBM, where she specialized in developing strategic planning and technology solutions with manufacturing clients and earned the Golden Circle designation.
“I am eager on behalf of Coalition districts and all Texas students,” Bender said. “The Texas School Coalition is a trusted voice for public education with a strong, diverse network of member districts throughout the state. I look forward to building upon my existing relationships with the Coalition and working with our Executive Committee to prepare for the 2025 legislative session.”
###
;
