In Lufkin, Texas, a significant change is taking place as the elementary schools’ staff gathered somberly in the school board’s chamber, anticipating a decision that would finalize the closure of their schools. This decision was not unexpected, with student numbers plummeting to a level where maintaining the two schools was no longer feasible for the East Texas school district.
The vote on Thursday marked the culmination of several months of discussions and confirmed the closures.
“This is not a cause for celebration. It’s a difficult but necessary step for us to progress towards a brighter future for the district,” stated Kristi Gay, the board chair of Lufkin ISD, addressing the attendees. Thirteen years prior, around 8,500 students were enrolled in Lufkin’s public schools, but this number has fallen to just 6,846 across 17 schools this year.
The main cause cited for this decline is the increased competition faced by traditional school districts in Texas. The recent school board decision is a reflection of the tough decisions that school communities are making due to rising competition from charter schools, home schooling, and potentially private schools.
“We’re competing for the attention of families and students, whether with homeschooling, private schools, charter schools, or public schools,” stated James Hockenberry, Lufkin Superintendent. For years, Texas Republican leaders have pursued the expansion of schooling options for families and are now on the brink of providing another option, with the state Legislature dominated by voucher supporters.
The controversial proposal to let families use tax dollars for private school tuition has previously been resisted by a coalition of Democrats and rural Republicans, who argue that more competition could harm district-run schools.
Lufkin is one such rural community, the largest city between Tyler and Houston, with a population of 34,181. Many districts across the state, both large and small, are dealing with diminishing student numbers. Like Lufkin, other school boards in places like San Antonio, Austin, Lewisville, Edgewood, and San Angelo have either planned or already closed campuses.
According to Campbell Scribner, an associate professor of education at the University of Maryland, various factors contribute to the decline in traditional public school enrollment. He pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has further fueled the ongoing debate regarding the purpose and governance of schools.
Hockenberry, along with other school leaders in Lufkin, asserted that regaining the trust and enrollment of families remains a primary goal. An estimated 9,043 school-aged children reside in the Lufkin district, slightly more than a decade ago, as per the American Community Survey data.
In Angelina County, there are five other independent school districts, a tuition-free charter school, and three religious-based private schools. According to Kristi Gay, in a discussion with The Texas Tribune, Pineywoods Community Academy, which is tuition-free, may have absorbed some former Lufkin ISD students.
During the 2012-13 academic year, about 635 students attended Pineywoods, but as of this year, its enrollment rose to 1,022 from kindergarten to grade 12. The charter institution’s representatives did not respond to requests for comments.
The number of students who have transitioned to homeschooling remains unclear, as Texas does not track this data. The Texas Home School Coalition noted 1,868 withdrawals from Angelina County public schools from 2012-13 to 2022-23, but these figures don’t indicate where those students eventually enrolled. Gay speculated that local private schools haven’t significantly increased in enrollment, yet some institutions may expand if the Legislature approves vouchers or education savings accounts.
St. Patrick Catholic Classical School sees potential growth with the implementation of vouchers, enabling more families to afford tuition. “Discussions around vouchers in Texas promise noteworthy opportunities,” explained Candice Halls, the school’s finance and operations executive. “We anticipate that vouchers will attract more families to our school.”
District leaders believe that emphasizing Lufkin’s educational programs and historic ties to local industries could help reclaim students. The high school has had students participate in world robotics championships, alongside other technical education programs linking students to employment prospects, and notable professional football player alumni.
Kristi Gay hopes consolidating campuses will allow more investment in current students but acknowledged potential challenges if vouchers are approved. Smaller districts, with costs like maintaining sports facilities, may suffer due to financial strain, stated Campbell Scribner.
In Milwaukee, districts engaged in a voucher program for low-income students were compelled to compete for parental preferences, diverting funds from education to marketing efforts, Scribner added. Regardless of the voucher decision, Lufkin needs to better publicize its offerings, Gay noted, with St. Patrick already showcasing its attributes in a professional video project.
“If the voucher system is sanctioned, we’ll reassess marketing efforts to appeal to families seeking vouchers,” Halls mentioned. “We’ll emphasize our unique academic programs, small class sizes, and the personal attention students receive, along with the affordable private education vouchers afford.”
The closing of the two schools is now in motion. Kurth Primary, located in the southeast of town, catered to kindergarten through second grade. Coston Elementary, in a quiet northeastern neighborhood, educated students from third to fifth grade.
These schools served fewer students than others for their age range within the district. The transition poses initial challenges for the 500 affected students and numerous staff members, the board acknowledged. Although unclear on job losses, the board identified vacancies at other campuses for staff relocation.
“The upcoming months will be incredibly challenging,” Gay remarked. Families will visit other district schools to decide on their preferred options by March 3, however, with two fewer choices available.
