In times of challenge and triumph, we look to our leaders for guidance. The school board at Texans Can Academies, a unique network of 14 dropout prevention and recovery schools located in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, has gone above and beyond this year to ensure that the non-profit organization’s staff has all the resources needed to continue to provide excellent and customized academic instruction for its at-risk student population.  

During the pandemic, the board has convened more frequently to ensure the schools are safe environments to teach and learn, reviewing each campus’ physical operations to support social distancing and CDC guidelines. Texans Can Academies would like to extend a special and big thank you to their hard-working and dedicated school board members during School Board Recognition Month. 

Texans Can Academies’ governing Board of Trustees is a group of talented volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to the non-profit school system. As board members, they are expected to provide management, oversight and governance for all Texans Can Academies schools comprising nearly 5,000 students, all on a volunteer basis. The board also oversees America Can! Cars for Kids, the vehicle-donation program that raises much needed funds each year to support the students of Texans Can Academies.

Thanks to the devoted support and resources of these community leaders, Texans Can Academies can fulfill its mission of providing the highest quality education for all students who have struggled in a traditional high school setting in order to ensure their economic independence. 

Many thanks, love and gratitude go to:

• Chairman of the Board, Mr. Rudy Oeftering

• Vice Chairman of the Board, Ms. Regina M. Thompson

• Secretary of the Board, Anna M. Torres 

• Treasurer of the Board, Michael T. Casey

• Board Member, Robert Nelson, MD

• Board Member, Penny Rayfield