Troy ISD is pleased to welcome Randy Hicks as the district's new Truancy Prevention Officer. With 33 years of educational experience, including 20 years of service within the district, Hicks is well-prepared to step into his new position.

Hicks brings a wealth of experience working with students, parents, teachers, and administrators, which he sees as a significant advantage in addressing student attendance. "Whenever students miss school, it directly impacts the funding and accountability that schools receive. More importantly, excessive absences mean students miss out on vital instruction, making it difficult to keep up," Hicks explained. He noted that falling behind academically can lead to issues like lowered self-esteem and social-emotional challenges due to the stress of catching up.

In his new role, Hicks aims to provide support and assistance to all stakeholders in the educational process. "Education is crucial, regardless of the path students choose after graduation. When students enjoy what they do and where they are, they tend to do better and even excel. My hope in this new position is to help create an environment where students not only succeed but have fun doing it."

Reflecting on the transition from his former role as a principal to the new truancy officer, Hicks shared some similarities and differences. "Like my previous role, this position underscores the importance of daily attendance. However, I can now narrow my focus, dedicating my efforts to assisting students and families who face attendance challenges."

Looking ahead, Hicks has set clear goals for the upcoming year. His primary objective is to support campus personnel in enforcing compulsory attendance laws. Additionally, he aims to work closely with students to address attendance issues before they escalate into legal matters.

Welcome, Mr. Hicks, to your new position!