It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Mercer Street Historical Marker in Dripping Springs, TX gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Dripping Springs, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Veterans Memorial Park in Dripping Springs, TX with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Epicure or visit Charro Ranch Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Dripping Springs, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Dripping Springs, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Dripping Springs, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Lake Travis (TX) at Dripping Springs (TX)District 26-6A has three of the best teams in the state — Austin Westlake, Dripping Springs and Lake Travis.Westlake is No. 12 in The Sporting News Texas top 25 rankings this week, while Dripping Springs is No. 19 and Lake Travis is No. 20.The Tigers and Cavaliers will settle things on the field tonight as both teams come in with unblemished records. Dripping Springs is 7-0, while Lake Travis is 6-0.The Cavs have been playing their home games at Dripping Springs thi...
District 26-6A has three of the best teams in the state — Austin Westlake, Dripping Springs and Lake Travis.
Westlake is No. 12 in The Sporting News Texas top 25 rankings this week, while Dripping Springs is No. 19 and Lake Travis is No. 20.
The Tigers and Cavaliers will settle things on the field tonight as both teams come in with unblemished records. Dripping Springs is 7-0, while Lake Travis is 6-0.
The Cavs have been playing their home games at Dripping Springs this season while their stadium is being renovated, so the game will essentially be a home game for both teams.
Dripping Springs junior quarterback Chase Ames has thrown for 1,720 yards with 25 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also has three rushing touchdowns.
Lake Travis senior running back Vann Hopping has rushed for 682 yards and six touchdowns this season.
WATCH: Watch football all season long, live on NFHS Network
Here's what you need to know about Friday's matchup between Lake Travis and Dripping Springs, including broadcast information and start time.
• Live stream: Lake Travis at Dripping Springs live on NFHS Network
Lake Travis at Dripping Springs will not be broadcast on traditional television, but it will be streamed live by NFHS Network.
NFHS Network is the leader in streaming live and on-demand high school sports from across the country. Sign up today to watch the game live or on demand.
• Date: Friday, Oct. 17• Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Lake Travis and Dripping Springs are slated to kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT Friday, Oct. 17, at Tiger Stadium in Dripping Springs, Texas.
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Dripping Springs (7–1) hosts Del Valle (1–6) Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in Dripping SpringsThe Del Valle vs Dripping Springs Live matchup features the Dripping Springs Tigers hosting the Del Valle Cardinals at Dripping Springs High School in Dripping Springs, TX. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, with live streaming and digital tickets available for fans.The Dripping Springs Tigers enter ...
The Del Valle vs Dripping Springs Live matchup features the Dripping Springs Tigers hosting the Del Valle Cardinals at Dripping Springs High School in Dripping Springs, TX. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, with live streaming and digital tickets available for fans.
The Dripping Springs Tigers enter with a 7–1 overall record, including a 3–0 home record, averaging 41.6 points per game while allowing 88 points. Dripping Springs has been dominant offensively, particularly in the first three quarters (12.0, 12.7, and 12.0 points on average), giving them a strong mid-game advantage. Their 3–1 district record highlights their position as one of Texas’ top programs.
The Del Valle Cardinals come in at 1–6 overall, including a 0–4 road record, averaging 18.7 points per game while conceding 268 points. Del Valle has struggled to generate consistent scoring, with most production coming in the third and fourth quarters (10.0 and 7.0 points on average), making this a challenging matchup against a high-powered Tigers offense.
This contest features Dripping Springs’ high-scoring offense and undefeated home record against Del Valle’s Cardinals, creating a compelling conference matchup with playoff implications and district standings on the line.
How to Watch and Get TicketsFans can stream Del Valle @ Dripping Springs Live on GoFan, accessible on computers, tablets, and mobile devices starting at 7:30 p.m. for full coverage.
Tickets are available via GoFan—early purchase is recommended for guaranteed entry and smoother stadium access. Don’t miss the chance to see the Tigers take on the Cardinals in this key Texas conference matchup.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Dripping Springs, TX.
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DRIPPING SPRINGS — Lake Travis rover Teddy Lofgren figured it would take a critical defensive play to beat upset-minded Dripping Springs.With both teams struggling to move the football, Friday night's outcome would be determined by Lofgren's interception with just over 2 minutes remaining in a District 26-6A clash of unbeatens.The Cavaliers took advantage of the turnover and running back Vann Hopping scored on a short plunge with 1:34 to go to give the Cavaliers a 14-7 victory at Tiger Stadium. And when Lake Travis lineba...
DRIPPING SPRINGS — Lake Travis rover Teddy Lofgren figured it would take a critical defensive play to beat upset-minded Dripping Springs.
With both teams struggling to move the football, Friday night's outcome would be determined by Lofgren's interception with just over 2 minutes remaining in a District 26-6A clash of unbeatens.
The Cavaliers took advantage of the turnover and running back Vann Hopping scored on a short plunge with 1:34 to go to give the Cavaliers a 14-7 victory at Tiger Stadium. And when Lake Travis linebacker Owen Aird recovered a fumble on Dripping Springs' ensuing drive, that sealed the deal in a game that was nothing short of a defensive struggle.
Lake Travis coach Hank Carter said he wasn't surprised Lofgren was part of the game's decisive play.
"Teddy's a former quarterback," Carter said. "He played quarterback growing up, he's a basketball player. He's just a super dynamic, athletic kid."
Lake Travis (7-0, 3-0 in 26-6A) and Westlake (6-1, 3-0) are tied for first place heading into their rivalry showdown Friday night at Chaparral Stadium.
Here are some takeaways from the Lake Travis-Dripping Springs game.
Lake Travis hardly resembled the offensive unit that had averaged 51.5 points heading into the Dripping Springs. The Cavaliers finished with a meager 189 total yards but scratched for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to win it.
No one played any better than Cavaliers end Carter Buck, a TCU pledge who has been one of the area's best defensive players for two years. Along with fellow linemen Ben Duncum and Pierce Atkins, Lake Travis limited Dripping Springs to 221 yards. Nevertheless, the Tigers carried a 7-0 lead into the fourth quarter after running back Lawson Attaway capped a 75-yard drive with a short touchdown run late in the third.
"Honestly, we should have held them zero points, but it was a great win, for sure," Buck said. "We've got a lot of stuff to fix, but this game was good for us."
The game seemed destined to go into overtime until Lofgren intercepted his pass at the Tigers' 35 and returned it to the 15. With a large Cavaliers crowd roaring with approval, Lofgren said the game was over after he made the play.
"Oh yeah, I could feel it," he said. "The momentum shifted just like that. The game was was so fulfilling, it felt like a movie. I can't even explain it. It was so surreal."
Across the field, Dripping Springs coach Galen Zimmerman's team was handicapped before kickoff. Arizona State-bound receiver Cooper Reid (separated shoulder) and fellow receiver James Montgomery (illness) did not play. When you consider those receivers have combined for 18 receiving touchdowns this season, it might have been a different outcome of they had played.
"No moral victories, but I'm proud of my guys," Zimmerman said.
"Thank God for football!" Carter shouted to his players when they broke their team huddle after the game. His weekly catchphrase will have even more meaning if the Cavs can knock off Westlake on the night that Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees will have his Westlake jersey retired.
The coach correctly pointed out that his team will have to clean up a few mistakes. The Cavs were held scoreless through three quarters, partly because they had three first-half turnovers.
"I love the fact that we had to battle right here," Carter said. "We didn't do a lot of stuff right in the first half and still found a way to win. It's awesome."
Lake Travis, which won a state championship in 2016, hasn't had much success against the champs over the past eight years, going 1-7 in that span. At least two Cavaliers believe their team is due to beat Westlake and become district champions, though.
Buck said it should be "a close game." But ...
"If we fix these mistakes, we should have them," he said. "On paper we have a way better team than them."
The man of the hour had the final word: "They better be ready for us because we're coming," Lofgren said.
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DRIPPING SPRINGS — Dripping Springs ISD received its highest score on the Texas Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) this year, according to a presentation by chief financial officer Randy Rau at the board’s Oct. 27 meeting.The state's school financial accountability rating system is designed to ensure that Texas public schools are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices and that they improve these practices, according to the Texas Education Agency. The system...
DRIPPING SPRINGS — Dripping Springs ISD received its highest score on the Texas Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) this year, according to a presentation by chief financial officer Randy Rau at the board’s Oct. 27 meeting.
The state's school financial accountability rating system is designed to ensure that Texas public schools are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices and that they improve these practices, according to the Texas Education Agency. The system is designed to encourage Texas public schools to better manage their financial resources to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes.
FIRST originated with Senate Bill 875 of the 76th Texas Legislature in 2009 and was later revised by House Bill 5 of the 83rd Legislature in 2013 to include a process for anticipating future financial solvency of the district, Rau said. School districts are required to prepare a FIRST Financial Management Report, as well as advertise and hold a public meeting to discuss the rating.
The FIRST rating system consists of 21 base indicators — four are deemed critical, 10 relate to solvency and seven relate to financial competence. The indicators measure the following: compliance with audit reporting; timely debt and employee benefit related payments; healthy fund balance levels and activity; relationship of district revenues to expenditures; and accuracy of student attendance estimates and consistency of staff ratios.
For the 2024-25 rating, which is based on 2023-24 data, DSISD scored 100 out of a possible 100 points and received an “A” rating, surpassing last year’s numerical score of 98. This shows that the district is financially strong, explained Rau.
“That’s a rating of Superior. It’s an improvement over last year’s [score],” Rau said. “It highlights the district’s continued focus on responsible management and strong financial oversight. The district maintains a healthy fund balance of approximately $49.6 million; it’s more than five months of operating costs and there are no questioned costs or findings in the daily operations.”
Trustee Rob McClelland pointed out that the district’s total assets are outpacing the liabilities, even with the construction that is happening, which, he said, is "extremely positive.”
“Five-percent increase in our total assets [and] only 1% increase in liabilities. Our net position in millions has increased by … 21%. These are all extremely healthy signs of a strong financial district,” he said. “It’s reflected in our FIRST rating, but also, it’s reflected in the actual financials in which we are operating. I think our charge going forward is to maintain that.”
According to trustee Kim Cousins, getting this high score is exciting, “like you passed your test and you got a 100,” adding recognition to the district’s finance team for the hard work that they do every day.
“This speaks for the job that you’ve done and I guess, as our board, the decisions that we’ve had to make,” Cousins explained, “but your guidance and your knowledge to help us make these decisions together, I think helped us in the long-run to get this 100 and you guys are great.”
Director of technology
Following closed session, the board also unanimously approved the appointment of Greg Hubanek as the new director of technology.
Hubenak joins DSISD from San Marcos CISD, where he served for 18 years as executive director of technology. Before his time in public education, he held positions at Time Warner Telecom, Cisco Systems and Verizon.
A retired Army National Guard officer, Hubenak spent two years as chief communications officer for the United States Army in Kosovo, overseeing communications, computing and information systems for a 2,800-person multinational task force, Kosovo Force, according to DSISD.
As DSISD’s director of technology, Hubenak will lead the district’s Technology Department, oversee strategic planning for technology systems and guide the development, implementation and use of technology across the district.
Hubenak is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in electronics engineering technology.
He will begin his duties Dec. 1.
To see DSISD’s full FIRST report, along with those from other school districts, as well as learn more about the rating system, visit bit.ly/4oc3JJH.
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