Texas Association of Rural Schools

A Legacy of Excellence

A Legacy of Excellence

“A Voice for Rural Schools Since 1990” Since 1990, the Texas Association of Rural Schools (TARS) has proudly served as the oldest and most enduring rural school association in Texas. Born from a shared vision of superintendents at the Mid-Winter Conference, TARS emerged to fill a vital need: a unified and powerful voice for rural schools at the state level. From the beginning, our focus has been on small rural districts rooted in and essential to the small communities they serve. Over the decades, TARS has grown into the voice for rural schools, shaping policy and securing resources to ensure that rural students and educators are never left behind.

This ground-breaking initiative was the brainchild of Superintendents Bill Grusendorf (San Saba ISD), Wayne Pierce (Rosebud-Lott ISD), and Jim Payne (Bruceville-Eddy ISD). With over 100 small school superintendents supporting this transformative idea, Grusendorf was appointed as the inaugural president of TARS. Their mission was clear - to safeguard the future of small schools by upholding the "small school formulas/adjustment" and advocating for the valuation of agricultural land based on its productivity alone.

Historic Legislative Victories

The "small school formulas/adjustment" became a reality in 1975, thanks to the tireless work of Dr. Richard Hooker of the University of Houston. Then serving as the Director of the Governor's Office of Education and Research under Governor Dolph Brisco, Dr. Hooker was instrumental in incorporating a small school adjustment into law through HB 1126.

ln 1984, Representative Stan Schlueter played a pivotal role 'in the debate on HB 72, steadfastly advocating for fair treatment of small rural schools. His insistence on the involvement of Bill Grusendorf, then Chairman of Rural Affairs for the Equity Center, led to the preservation of the "small school formulas/adjustment”.

TARS: A Driving Force for Change

Over the years, TARS has grown into a respected voice among state leadership. Through testifying before committees and directly interacting with legislators, the association has been at the forefront of representing the interests of rural schools.

Our Present and Future: Transforming Rural Education Through Advocacy

The Texas Association of Rural Schools (TARS) has long championed one defining mission—equitable funding and support for rural and small schools. This year, we proudly celebrate one of the most significant victories in our history: securing transformative resources for the students, educators, and the rural communities we serve.

During 2025 in the 89th Texas Legislative Session, TARS Executive Director Randy Willis maintained an unwavering focus on increasing the Small and Mid-Sized School Allotment, a goal our organization has pursued for decades. Thanks to the dedication of our officers, regional directors, and members across the state, this long-awaited priority is now reality.

With the passage and signing of House Bill 2 by Governor Gregg Abbott, we achieved a landmark milestone for public education in Texas. HB 2 invests $8.5 billion in schools statewide, including teacher raises, support for special education, student safety funding, and new resources for operational costs. Most importantly for our mission, HB 2 made an investment of an annual increase of $8,000 for experience rural teachers and dedicated $318 million specifically to strengthen small and rural schools—the very heartbeat of our local communities.

TARS worked alongside legislators through every step of the process, helping to shape this transformative policy from introduction to final negotiations. In recognition of our leadership, Governor Greg Abbott extended a special invitation to TARS representatives to attend the ceremonial signing of HB 2 at Salado ISD—a testament to the vital role we played in securing this historic achievement.

This moment stands as proof of what is possible when rural voices remain united. It represents not just progress for today, but a foundation for the future of every student who calls a rural Texas classroom home.

Our Commitment

At the heart of TARS lies the unwavering goal of enhancing the fiscal capacity of rural school districts, while narrowing the fiscal disparity between rural districts and their counterparts. We invite you to join us as we continue to champion the cause of rural education in Texas.

Vision, Mission & Executive Director

Our Vision

TARS Vision Statement: What we aspire to achieve

To empower rural education in Texas by advocating for the success of every student. Our commitment is to preserve the unique identity of rural communities while highlighting small schools indispensable role in shaping the future of Texas.

TARS Mission

TARS Mission Statement: What we do

The mission of TARS is to champion the interests of rural schools in Texas. We advocate for equitable funding that addresses the challenges of diseconomies of scale and size, while emphasizing the importance of local self-governance. TARS actively engages with federal, state, and local leaders to shape education policy and provides research-based solutions to support our advocacy.

A man in a blue suit and pink tie smiles warmly at the camera.

Executive Director

More about Randy Willis

TARS Mission

TARS Mission Statement: (What we do) TARS’ mission is to champion the interests of rural schools in Texas, strongly advocating for equitable distribution of financial resources and emphasizing the significance for the self-governing principle of local authority. We will actively engage with federal, state, and local entities to influence education policy while providing research to support our recommendations.

Goals & TARS Officers

Our Goals

TARS Goals: How we achieve our mission

Equitable Funding
Secure fair funding mechanisms that account for economies of scale and the unique challenges of rural schools, enabling them to build strong fiscal capacity and serve every student effectively.
Local Governance
Protect the authority of locally elected school boards as the primary decision-makers for their communities, ensuring education policies respect rural values and priorities.
Tailored Education
Advance education policies that reflect the distinct characteristics of rural communities, rejecting one-size-fits-all approaches in favor of student-centered, locally responsive solutions.
Consolidation Resistance
Oppose forced consolidation of small and rural districts to preserve community identity, culture, and autonomy as vital parts of Texas’ heritage.
Research & Education
Conduct and share research that demonstrates the efficiency and necessity of rural schools, providing policymakers and the public with evidence-based insights.
Advocacy & Collaboration
Strengthen partnerships with educators, associations, and legislators to advance policies that protect the rights, resources, and recognition of rural schools and their students.