Abbott appoints new SBOE chair
Curriculum | Instruction TEA | Commissioner | SBOE Privatization | Vouchers Deregulation | Charter Schools
Date Posted: 12/18/2023
Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Aaron Kinsey (R–Midland) chair of the State Board of Education (SBOE) Monday in a term set to expire Dec. 17, 2025.
Kinsey replaces Dr. Keven Ellis (R–Lufkin), who will continue to serve on the SBOE. Ellis has previously been endorsed by the pro-public education group Texas Parent PAC. In contrast, Kinsey was elected in November 2022 with support from the Freedom Foundation of Texas (FFOT) PAC, funded by staunch proponents of private school vouchers and expansion of charter schools.
Kinsey, an Air Force veteran, is the CEO of an aviation oilfield services company. He is a member of the Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation Committee on School Finance/Permanent School Fund and chair of the Committee on Strategic Planning and Policy. In addition, Kinsey is also a member of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) Liberty Leadership Council. TPPF is a far-right think tank backing private school voucher initiatives.
CONVERSATION
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
09/15/2025
SBOE continues work on social studies framework
The State Board of Education’s Sept. 8–12 meeting also included TEA Commissioner Mike Morath’s review of the 2025 A-F accountability ratings and a discussion of HB 8.
09/12/2025
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Sept. 12, 2025
ATPE takes a deep dive into the biggest question about HB 8, the testing bill passed by the Texas Legislature during its second special session of 2025.
09/11/2025
What’s really in HB 8, the testing bill passed by the Texas Legislature this summer?
HB 8 has some positive, some potentially positive, and some negative aspects. We take a deeper look and answer the question: Does HB 8 increase the number of tests?