Hope Public Schools announces millage election to address critical facility needs and student safety
Hope School District has released this information sheet with graphics asking voters for approval.
HOPE FORWARD. CHILDREN FIRST!
HOPE — Hope Public Schools has announced plans to seek voter approval for a
millage increase in an upcoming election to address critical facility needs across the district.
At its core, this proposal is about one essential responsibility: it is a student-centered effort to protect instruction by ensuring they learn in warm, safe, and dry school buildings—not classrooms disrupted by system failures or emergency repairs. This is not simply a facilities plan or a list of projects. To prevent learning disruptions caused by building failures and emergency repairs. Many district systems are nearing or beyond end-of-life, and deferred maintenance is no longer sustainable.
A Long-Overdue Investment
Hope Public Schools has not had a millage increase in more than 40 years — going back to at least 1985 — and our current millage rate ranks 207th out of 235 school districts in Arkansas.
A Clear Focus: Warm • Safe • Dry
Informed by input from staff, families, and community members, Hope Public Schools is leading with a clear message that reflects what people have consistently said matters most:
This is about keeping schools warm, safe, and dry — for children, every day.
District leaders emphasize that all priorities and projects connect back to this essential responsibility.
Proof of Responsible Stewardship
Hope Public Schools recognizes that voters expect evidence of responsible stewardship before being asked to approve an increase. As part of this effort, here is what’s already been done to reduce costs, balance needs, and secure outside funding, including:
● We’ve cut $700k in our annual spending.
● We secured $20 million in grants.
● We’ve stretched resources — and now facilities are reaching end-of-life
Focused Priorities Centered on Student Safety and Learning
The millage proposal is organized around three priorities that address immediate facility risks and expand student opportunity.
Priority 1: Safety & Security
Projects include secure entrances and security vestibules, improved traffic flow and drop-off areas, and districtwide HVAC and air-quality improvements. These upgrades directly impact student health, daily safety, and the continuity of instruction. This serves our district -wide warm, safe and dry requirements.
Priority 2: Renovations & Modernization
This priority focuses on renovating student restrooms, updating classrooms and learning spaces, and modernizing facilities that students and staff use every day. These improvements are critical to maintaining environments where students can focus, feel comfortable, and succeed academically.
While future-ready projects remain part of the long-term vision, the district’s immediate emphasis is stabilizing and protecting core learning environments.
Priority 3: Competitive & Future-Ready
This priority supports future-ready learning pathways by strengthening and expanding programs that prepare students for college, careers, and the workforce long-term. It includes expanding the Collegiate Academy, strengthening workforce and skilled trades opportunities, and making STEM investments that increase career readiness and competitiveness. Priority 3 also supports program continuity (ensuring critical opportunities remain strong even after temporary grants
end) and student wellness through improvements such as all-weather physical education and outdoor PE/wellness spaces, helping students stay active even when rainy weather impacts campus grounds.
If additional state funding becomes available, the District will also pursue smaller campus- and classroom-level improvements identified through ongoing staff input. Long-term planning may also include future athletic facility needs; however, athletics are not the central focus of Priority 3.
Who This Investment Serves
The primary focus of this proposal is students — the children of Hope. Safe buildings, dependable climate control, and functional learning spaces are foundational to attendance, concentration, and overall student success. The proposal also supports teachers and staff, ensuring they can work in environments that allow them to serve students effectively, and it benefits the community as a whole by preserving public assets, strengthening local schools, and protecting long-term property values.
What could happen if it doesn’t pass…
If the millage is not approved, Hope Public Schools will continue operating with systems that are increasingly unreliable. HVAC failures are not a matter of if, but when, and emergency repairs often divert resources away from classrooms and student services. Additionally, without approval, the district risks losing access to approximately $2.4 million in facilities partnership funding, dollars that could significantly offset local costs but are contingent on meeting funding and readiness requirements.
Across Arkansas, districts facing similar conditions have had to delay safety upgrades, redirect instructional funds to emergency repairs, or reduce programming when infrastructure fails. Hope Public Schools is working to avoid those outcomes by planning ahead rather than reacting to
crises.
Taxes and Homestead
Hope Public Schools will provide an ultra-clear assessment value impact explanation in plain language across all communication materials — and will include the 65+ homestead freeze line where applicable — so that older residents and households on fixed incomes have clarity and confidence in how the proposal affects them.
For example, of the clear assessment value messaging you will see in our materials: If approved, the 5-mill proposal would cost an estimated $6.83/month for a home valued at $82,000 (district average property value). Important: If you are 65+ and qualify for the Arkansas Homestead Tax Freeze, your school
property assessment value may NOT increase.
We want every resident — especially those on fixed incomes — to have clarity and confidence in what this means for them.
Transparency the Community Can See
In addition to sharing handouts and FAQs, Hope Public Schools will prioritize transparency tools that residents can easily understand and verify. The district will provide clear, public-facing resources such as a public ticker/dashboard that shares spending updates and progress over time, and simplified visuals with one-page summaries designed for clarity and accessibility.
These transparency measures are intended to build trust and provide visible accountability for how funds are allocated and used.
Ready to Move Forward Immediately
If approved, the district is prepared to act quickly. Planning and prioritization work is already underway, allowing projects to begin as early as spring break, with some work starting within weeks following approval. “This proposal reflects our care for students and our responsibility to the community,” district leaders said. “We are ready to move forward and address these needs the moment voters give
approval.”
Election Information
Early Voting: Monday, February 16 – Monday, March 2, 2026
Election Day: Tuesday, March 3, 2026