Pocahontas superintendent outlines strategic plan, announces districtwide 'Capturing Kids' Hearts' rollout

Dr. Lance Arbuckle, superintendent of the POCAHONTAS SCHOOL DISTRICT, told the Coffee Club radio program that the district is developing a strategic plan focused on “academic excellence” and strengthening relationships among students, teachers and families.

The interview, aired on Coffee Club, outlined near-term steps and community outreach efforts. Arbuckle said the district plans to use surveys, meetings and a monthly high-school senior advisory group to shape the plan and gauge priorities. “We’re going to be about academic excellence and we’re going to be about relationships and connectedness,” he said.

Arbuckle described the district as operating four school buildings, listed in the interview as an elementary school (noted in the conversation as “K–3”), an upper elementary (“4–6”), a junior high (“7–9”) and a high school (“10–12”). He said new leadership has been installed in several buildings and at the district level as part of the recent changes.

The superintendent gave enrollment figures as part of the context for planning: “Our current enrollment is about 1,885,” he said, adding that enrollment was over 2,000 roughly five years ago. He framed the strategic plan as a tool to guide short-term decisions and planning 10 to 20 years ahead.

Responding to community concern about school climate, Arbuckle announced the district will roll out the Capturing Kids' Hearts program districtwide. He said trainers will be brought in in late July and August to prepare teachers, with classroom practices phased in when the fall semester begins. “We will train all of our teachers … and there are specific things that kids and parents will see that happen in the classroom as a direct result of this training,” he said.

Arbuckle emphasized outreach and transparency, asking residents — including those without school-age children — to participate in surveys and public meetings and to consult the district website and Facebook page for updates. He said he meets regularly with the school board and administrative team and meets monthly with a group of high school seniors to collect feedback.

The superintendent also highlighted extracurricular strengths, praising the pep band and recent game-night performances as examples of student achievement and community pride. He encouraged listeners to follow the district’s updates and to contact his office with questions.

The host closed by announcing that Arbuckle will appear weekly on Coffee Club for ongoing conversations about district priorities and developments.