The Hope Public Schools Board met on Wednesday as the school district prepares for a busy year.

Indeed, the Board completed its back to school duties in a special session Wednesday dealing with the beginning of year personnel placements.

HPS Superintendent Dr. Bobby Hart told the board the district’s teacher complement was substantially complete for the 2019-2020 academic year, with some shifts in assignments necessary.

The board adopted personnel recommendations as presented by Dr. Hart.

Dr. Hart said the district will, again, host Alternative Learning Environment services for the Prescott Public Schools under a specific agreement between the districts. HPSD will receive pro-rata funding for services rendered to other districts in the Southwest Arkansas Educational Cooperative region under such contracts.

Hart also discussed the implementation of a state-mandated base teacher pay increase adopted by the 2019 Arkansas General Assembly. 

While the changes begin in the 2019-2020 academic year, the mandated increase will not affect the district until the 2021-2022 school year; and, will become complete in the 2022-2023 school year, he said.