LUFKIN, Texas — Lufkin ISD trustees on Thursday set eight goals for the 2024-25 academic year, including improving academic performance, stabilizing the district's finances and getting more students ready for life after high school.
The goals were set as the district began the new year last week with new Superintendent Dr. James Hockenberry leading Lufkin ISD. Hockenberry, who was the Longview ISD assistant superintendent for district services, started in the role in April of this year.
Goals one through four all center around bettering academic performance among students, such as in English language arts/reading and math subjects.
Goal five seeks to increase the number of students who are considered ready for college, career or the military service.
Goal six wants to see the implementation of financial procedures and processes to make the district’s finances stable. Goal seven seeks to begin the process for developing a three to five-year strategic plan for the district.
Goal eight wants to begin the implementation of an employee childcare that would be available to staff no later than the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year. Children starting at 6 weeks old would be eligible for the program.
“When you see it work and see employees at peace, it just makes sense. It will be simple and affordable for our staff," Hockenberry said of the childcare goal. " It can be deducted from payroll to eliminate the hassle on our staff. It is a genuine and meaningful benefit. When you create a benefit like this, you expand your reach to improve morale, recruit and retain staff, and build a sense of family. I appreciate the board’s consideration, recognition, and support of this important district goal.”