Hoxie, Ark. — Students in Hoxie Public Schools began their first day of classes at a new $20 million elementary school, marking a major upgrade for the district. The modern facility, paid for by a millage increase, offers upgrades that replace the original elementary school, which was built in 1951.
Among the improvements is central air conditioning, an amenity the previous building lacked. The new school also includes a separate cafeteria, automatic locking doors, and a FEMA-approved tornado safe room, according to Superintendent Kelly Gillham. She emphasized that the upgrades will better serve the district's younger students.
“We can have lunch and breakfast at, you know, normal times for [these] students,” Gillham said, highlighting the benefit of a separate cafeteria no longer shared with high school students.
Located across the street from the original building, the new campus spans approximately 65,000 square feet. It includes a dedicated gym and a library, although work on these spaces remains ongoing. Gillham noted that the district plans to complete construction while ensuring a safe environment for students.
“The teachers, I mean, you can see from this classroom, they’ve worked very hard to make it welcoming for students,” Gillham said. “But give us grace and realize that if there’s an issue, we want to address those and fix those.”
Kyle Gardner, the school's principal, acknowledged typical challenges with transitioning to a new building, such as adjusting traffic patterns, pick-up and drop-off lanes, and unfamiliar hallways. Despite these issues, Gardner expressed confidence in his staff’s dedication to student safety and education.
“Your kids are in great hands,” Gardner said. “We’re going to do what we can. We’re going to treat them as if they were our own. We want them safe and sound, and ready to learn.”
While some construction tasks are still underway, both district leaders and staff are optimistic as they begin the school year in a facility designed to support both learning and safety for decades to come.