Texas Catholic Voice August 2025

August 7, 2025

In this issue of the Texas Catholic Voice:

  • Special session
  • ESA implementation
  • New superintendents
  • Cowboy nuns of Cuba
  • And more!

A Message from Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director

As summer break draws to a close and back-to-school activities begin, we at the TCCB are in full swing with the legislative special session, the Education Saving Account (ESA) implementation, and early preparation for implementation of the federal tax credit scholarship program, the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA). The ECCA will allow individuals to claim credit on federal income taxes for donations to approved scholarship- granting organizations. 

We are eagerly awaiting the rules posting regarding ESA implementation, so we can share with our schools and Catholic school families. We will be co-hosting ESA implementation workshops with the Texas Private Schools Association (see the upcoming dates and location below). These local lunchtimes sessions will be limited to private and Catholic school leaders.  

Recently, the comptroller announced an updated tentative timeline for ESA implementation. That timeline is as follows: 

Timeline Updates:   

  • RFP proposals due: Aug. 4, 2025   
  • Top proposals present to CPA: Aug. 15, 2025  
  • Contract execution (or as soon as practical): Aug. 31, 2025  
  • Commencement of work (or as soon as practical): Sept. 1, 2025  

The comptroller posted its corrections to the request for proposal document along with answers to submitted questions. Among the corrections is an important clarification that currently enrolled public and private school students are treated equally in the first three levels of prioritization for applications.  To review these answers and updates in full detail follow this link here.  

Special Session. Governor Greg Abbott has called for a special session which began on Monday, July 21. A special session can last up to 30 days, but another session may be added. Governor Abbott has set an 18-item agenda for this special session, and Lt. Governor Patrick released the First Called bills listed here.  

TCCB is supporting SB 10 by Sen. Tan Parker, which relates to an affirmative defense to prosecution for victims of human trafficking or compelling prostitution.  

We are also supporting SB 8 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, to eliminate STAAR testing and replacing the test with more effective student assessments. There are several other bills on which we are likely to take positions as the session develops. Follow the TCCB social media channels for updates on relevant legislative activities. 

Brendan Cassell to manage ESA implementation

This month we welcomed a new staff member, Brendan Cassell, to serve as the ESA Implementation Project Manager. This position has been funded by the Scanlan Foundation for approximately 12 months.

Brendan has served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army with the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, and is in the process of transitioning out of active duty. He recently earned a master's degree in moral theology from Christendom College and has been actively preparing for his new role at the TCCB. 

He has a passion for Catholic education and is looking forward to helping Catholic schools better understand the ESA program. In this position,

Brendan will coordinate with all Texas dioceses to implement the ESA program. This fall, Brendan will be traveling around Texas hosting “Lunch & Learn” events to provide practical information on the ESA program and its implementation.  

Upcoming “Lunch & Learn” events regarding Education Savings Account implementation include:  

  • Harlingen – Aug. 25 
  • Waco/Killeen – Aug. 28 
  • Lubbock – Sept. 3 
  • The Woodlands – Sept. 30 (tentative) 
  • El Paso – Oct. 3   

New superintendents

We are delighted to announce the appointments of our new Catholic school superintendents: Alison Kiker, Beaumont Diocese; Bishop Mario Aviles, Brownsville Diocese; Dr. Rebecca Hammel, Corpus Christi Diocese; Jeannette Lambert, Dallas Diocese; Dr. Blanca Garcia, El Paso Diocese; Frank Perez, Fort Worth Diocese; and Dr. Alexis Kutarna, Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter.  

It is with great joy and gratitude that we celebrate their commitment to advancing the mission of Catholic education. Their dedication to fostering faith, academic excellence, and service in our schools is a profound blessing. 

The Catholic Archives

TCCB Archivist Selena Aleman recently presented a paper on the archives of the “Cowboy Nuns of Cuba,” or better known to us Texans as the Poor Clares of Brenham, Texas.

Selena presented her research at the History of Women Religious Conference in Notre Dame, Indiana in late June. The conference stressed the importance of congregations preserving records, and historians discussed navigating research with archival gaps. To read more about Selena’s presentation and the conference, click here.    

Upcoming executions

  • Blaine Milam, Sept. 25, 2025
  • Robert Roberson, Oct. 16, 2025 

We pray for the victims of violence and their loved ones, for those on death row and for an end to the death penalty. 

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Posted in Texas Catholic Voice