Brookland Elementary School

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SUBJECT: Brookland School Board Identifies New Safety and Facility Projects; Sets March 3 Election Date
BROOKLAND, AR – The Brookland School District continues to experience significant expansion, having added over 1,000 students to its enrollment since 2013. Monday night, the Brookland School Board took steps to address the next phase of facility needs resulting from this growth.

Over the past decade, the district has managed this population increase through a series of capital improvements, including:
• Construction of a new Middle School.
• A 20-classroom addition to the Primary School.
• A 2-classroom addition to the Elementary School.
• A High School addition.
• Construction of Bearcat Arena.
• A new track and field facility.
• Improvements to baseball and softball facilities.
• Construction of a press box at the football stadium.
• Current construction of a new Intermediate School for 3rd and 4th-grade students (scheduled for the 2026-27 school year).
• Purchase of 103 acres planning for future growth, added a FFA facility area and the site of the new Brookland Intermediate School.
• 3 lots with houses on School Street
• 1 lot with a house on Hickory Street.
• One 2-acre lot behind Brookland Baptist Church.

Proposed New Projects: The Board has now identified two specific projects necessary to address student safety and athletic facility needs:
1. Junior High Cafeteria and Community Tornado Safe Room Funds would be used to construct a new Junior High cafeteria designed to function as a tornado safe room. The specifications for this facility include capacity to shelter the student populations of both the Junior High and Senior High buildings simultaneously. This tornado safe room would also be made available to the general community after school hours during severe weather.
2. Bearcat Training Center The plan includes funding for a new Bearcat Training Center, to be located at the south end of the current stadium. The facility would consist of locker rooms, staff offices, and dedicated weight and health training rooms and will be available to multiple school groups and clubs, including, but not limited to, Cheer/Dance, Athletics, ROTC, Band.

Election Information: To finance these projects, the Board of Directors has passed a resolution calling for a millage election to be held on Tuesday, March 3. Voters will be asked to consider a proposed 3.95 millage increase. The district last requested a millage increase in 2013. The district will provide further factual information regarding project specifics and financial details leading up to the election on March 3.