Abbott “Temporarily” Appoints New SBOE Member

Gov. Greg Abbott announced he has appointed Tammie Nielsen to the State Board of Education (SBOE) to temporarily fill the vacancy caused by the recent resignation of SBOE District 4 board member Staci Childs, D-Houston.

The governor appointed Nielsen for a term expiring December 31, 2026, or “until her successor shall be duly elected and qualified.”

Nielsen, of Pasadena, is the advancement director for Sarah’s House.

Childs, a Democrat, is running for a Texas House seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election, and would have had to vacate her SBOE seat as of Jan. 1, 2027, if she won her House race. (The District 4 SBOE seat expires on Jan. 1, 2029.)

Childs’ early resignation sets the stage for a District 4 board member to be elected in November to serve for the rest of the unexpired term, thus blocking the governor from being able to appoint someone to serve through the end of the term, starting Jan. 1, 2027.

According to Texas AFT, Texas Democratic Party precinct chairs within SBOE District 4 recently chose former Houston ISD teacher Dr. Coretta Mallet-Fontenot to be placed as the party’s candidate for the election.

The SBOE next meets Monday, Aug. 31 through Friday, Sept. 4 (agenda).