Lufkin, Texas – The Lufkin Independent School District is weighing a major reconfiguration of its elementary schools that would shift the current primary campuses to full K‑5 models. The proposal, which could take effect as early as the 2027‑28 school year, was developed by a 15‑member task force of community volunteers and district administrators.
Task force outlines five scenarios
Over the summer, the group met twice and evaluated five possible realignment scenarios against six district priorities: student opportunity, staffing, facilities, equity, culture and safety, and sustainability. After deliberation, 56 % of the members supported a three‑year phased approach, while the remaining 44 % favored the same timeline with additional clarifications.
Phased rollout plan
Under the preferred plan, Herty Primary would be the first campus to transition to a K‑5 configuration in the 2027‑28 school year. Trout and Anderson elementary schools would follow in 2028‑29. The district would then conduct a comprehensive review in the 2029‑30 school year to assess enrollment trends and program needs, including gifted and talented, dual‑language, special education, and STEM offerings.
“So move one campus in 27‑28 to K‑5 and preserve our programs where needed,” said Jill Gaston, Lufkin ISD deputy superintendent. She added that Herty was selected first because it does not have a sister campus after recent closures, allowing a smoother transition.
Focus on special‑education and staffing
Gaston emphasized that the realignment would keep students together while the district rebalances special‑education pods across campuses. “We’ve identified that that campus needs a little bit of adjustment in terms of numbers in regards to our special education,” she explained.
Board President Matt Knight asked whether third‑graders could remain at their current schools instead of moving again. Gaston responded that the district intends to offer choice when possible and will build three classes per grade to accommodate families.
Implementation timeline and next steps
The district plans to open new teacher applications in January, aiming to staff the reconfigured schools with qualified educators. Herty currently enrolls just over 200 students but has capacity for 400 without resorting to portable classrooms.
“Between now and the Christmas break, we’re going to put together a playbook so that as many details as we know in terms of what this transition is going to be and the steps that will be taken and decisions that will be made, all of that will be published by Christmas,” Gaston said.
The Lufkin ISD Board of Trustees will vote Thursday at 5:15 p.m. to adopt or reject the phased K‑5 realignment plan.
Original reporting: KLTV 7 Tyler (news) — read the source article.
