Randall Hoyer Randall Hoyer's philosophy is simple: He wants every student to have the opportunity to get an education that will get them in either a college or university of their choice or provide them with a job so they don't become a burden to society.

"And I want to do that in a safe, clean and friendly environment where the children are treated with respect and dignity," said the new Lampasas Independent School District superintendent.

Officially on board July 1, Hoyer seems ready for the challenge that leading a Class 4A school district can bring.

For the past 19 years, he was at Columbus ISD, where he moved through the ranks from teacher to principal then assistant superintendent and finally superintendent for the past five years.

But opportunity knocked, and Hoyer answered.

Though the challenges of a Class 3A district are many, Hoyer said he always aspired to lead a Class 4A school district. "It was a good career opportunity to head up a larger school system. Lampasas ISD is twice as big as Columbus, and I felt I was ready for that challenge."

Columbus is a great district and community, he said. "But I felt I had done everything there I could do. I identified three or four school districts that I felt were the kind of districts I was looking for when I was specifically looking for Class 4A schools."

As positions came open, Hoyer would look to see if they had the right "fit."

While studying for his doctorate in education at Lamar University in Beaumont when the Lampasas ISD post came open, the Columbus superintendent was torn between applying or waiting to finish his doctorate. "But I was afraid the superintendency in Lampasas wouldn't be open again when I wanted it."

Hoyer said he became familiar with Lampasas on drives from Columbus to Goldthwaite, where his parents have resided since 1999. "We would stop in Lampasas to get gas, eat and buy groceries. And we developed a comfort level with the community."

He applied for the job because he has a lot of knowledge to bring to the LISD, he said. Hoyer has been through bond issues and school renovations (though none as large as Lampasas'), and his 28 years in education will serve him well here, he added.

"Lampasas is a lot like Columbus in that there is a tradition and established customs here. But there also is an influx of newness. I felt this would be a good fit for my family and me."

Since he arrived in Lampasas, Hoyer has been spending time getting to know the campuses and the leadership at each facility, as well as district administrators, department heads, directors and school board members.

"The biggest challenges we face right now are getting the two new campuses up and running -- equipment, furnishings and staffing. Right behind that is running three elementary schools cohesively, because that's never been done before. It's a lot of new territory, not only for me but for Lampasas and the school district," Hoyer said.

Meanwhile, the new superintendent will be familiarizing himself with the district's budget and financial picture.

"I will have to closely monitor the budget, expenditures and payroll because payroll is about 80 percent of a district's budget," he said. "What makes the challenge so great is it's not the number of students that drive the need for personnel, it's the number of programs that are mandated and not funded by the state."

Also on the agenda are Hoyer's plans to meet with board members and district administrators. "I want the opportunity to sit down with them one on one and get to know each other. For me, it's an opportunity to learn what is important to them and what their philosophy is, and it will give them an opportunity to get to know me and my philosophy and what's important to me."

Hoyer, a Moulton native, graduated with 27 other seniors in his class prior to attending Blinn Junior College. From there, he attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State) and graduated in 1981.

He started his career at Class 4A Rockport-Fulton, where he taught and coached junior high for three years.

The superintendent then moved to Class 1A Nueces-Canyon Consolidated School District to take the head boys' basketball coaching position. He remained there two years.

Hoyer headed to Class 2A Lexington, where he taught and coached boys' basketball for four years before his most recent stop in Columbus, a Class 3A district.

There, Hoyer coached boys' sports before switching to coach girls in basketball, track and volleyball for four years.

He then accepted a junior high school principal's job for six years before taking the principal's post at the high school for three years.

From there, Hoyer transitioned to the assistant superintendent's job for a year before taking the top spot in the district.

"Career-wise, advancing to administration was a good decision," he said, likening it to "a calling." Hoyer said if he intended to make a career in education, moving up the ladder was a natural progression.

"I also took a cue from my father, who was a school superintendent. He spent his entire career (37 years) at Moulton; he never left. He was a teacher, a coach, a principal and a superintendent there for 18 years. I patterned my career after him."

Hoyer's mother spent 22 years as a high school English teacher. She even taught her son for three years -- as happens in small school districts.

Hoyer's wife, Mary K, plans to finish her 30th year as a high school English teacher and retire at Columbus ISD before joining her husband in Lampasas next May. That will give the couple time to ready their house for sale before she makes her move to Lampasas.

Though his wife plans to leave education, Hoyer said that is not his plan. "I'm only 50 years old, and I have about 10 years of work left, at least. If it works out that I can retire in Lampasas, that would be wonderful," he said.

Hoyer also noted that just because he was seeking a post at a larger school than where he was doesn't mean he plans to do that again. "I'm not looking for a Class 5A job. I like the 4A school districts.

"My goal here is to try to grow personally while helping Lampasas grow to the next level. I would like to buck the trend and stay longer than the previous superintendents did," he said.

"I know in the nature of this job, I will make some people happy and other people mad. But I have come here with no hidden agenda and no prejudice.

"I have 28 years of educational experience I want to share," he continued. "My background and experience affords me the opportunity to look at how things can be done in the best way possible for the district and for the community. And every day I do this job, I learn something new."

Hoyer said he appreciates the opportunity the board of trustees is giving him to be in Lampasas.

"They are a very dedicated group of individuals. They want the students to receive a quality education and are very committed to that," he said. "They have spent countless hours on the building projects and superintendent search, and people don't give that kind of time to something unless they are dedicated to a cause. Their cause is the educa- tion and success of every child in this district."

The superintendent also said he appreciates LISD Business Manager Shane Jones for his dedication and commitment.

"I applaud him. I don't know what the LISD would do without him. He is a really sharp individual who has had his plate running over for the past year," said Hoyer. "His job as a business manager is full time, and then when you add the building projects into the mix and the superintendent leaving, everything has fallen on him.

"Nothing would be running as smoothly if not for the hours, time and effort Shane puts in."

Hoyer said his long-term plan is to create an era of stability and continuity, starting at the top with himself, principals and the administrative team.

"I want to develop a trust and confidence, and get the lines of communication open and have us all on the same page.

"Then, I want to target the instructional program and look at curriculum alignment to make sure all of our students are getting the best bang for the buck."

Hoyer said things are not going to change overnight. But he knows what direction he wishes to head.

The superintendent likens his situation to that of a head football coach.

"It takes about three years for a coach to make the team 'his team,'" he said. "He may know the philosophy and the offense and defense, but it takes time to get everyone to have the same mindset, and then you can start targeting the details."

And Hoyer is ready to move his team forward.