Outline:
Budget Cuts and School Consolidation in Hickman Mills
At a packed meeting on Thursday, the Hickman Mills School Board approved two significant recommendations aimed at addressing a $14 million deficit. The decision sparked a mix of concerns, questions, and appreciation for taking action to stabilize the district’s financial situation.
Julie Pierce, a library media specialist at Hickman Mills Middle School, expressed her feelings about the uncertainty facing the district. “This whole year has felt cloudy. It’s felt heavy,” she said before the vote. “We all kind of know what is coming next year is more kids and fewer adults in the buildings that remain. I think we’re all feeling either we are losing our jobs or that going into next year is going to be rough. That makes it tough to retain and attract high-quality teachers as well as give the high-quality world-class education that all of us here are dedicated to keep giving our kids and our community.”
The first recommendation approved by the board involves staff cuts, which will trim nearly $10 million from the budget. These cuts include custodial staff, high school teachers, and all math and reading literacy specialists. The second recommendation would cut an additional $3 million through school consolidation.
Under the consolidation plan, all sixth graders will attend Santa Fe Elementary, which will be repurposed as a sixth-grade center. Hickman Mills Middle School will become a hub for seventh and eighth-grade students. Additionally, Truman Elementary will close, with its students moving to Alvin Brooks Middle School, which will be converted into an elementary school building.
These changes are set to take effect during the 2026-2027 school year. During the meeting, Superintendent Dennis Carpenter presented the recommendations, which he referred to as the “Road to Sustainability Destiny.”
Following the vote, several board members and audience members shared their reactions. Debra McGill, a retired teacher who returned to work as a reading interventionist, voiced her concern about the impact on students. “My concern is after being a classroom teacher, those teachers need support. They need the support of reading intervention teachers to fulfill Senate Bill 681,” she said. “Senate Bill 681 states students need to have a reading success rate plan that needs to be detailed. A classroom teacher doesn’t have the opportunity to do that in a classroom setting. I am about the students at Hickman Mills. I am about their reading program and reading success. In order for that to happen, they have to have a support system and that support system is not going to be there.”
Gloria Dooley, another audience member, expressed her gratitude to the board and superintendent. “To the board, Dr. Carpenter, the directors, everyone, I just thank you. I was just so concerned about the state coming in and taking over,” she said. “Where I used to work, I had a manager who used to say don’t come with complaints unless you have suggestions. I hear so many people complaining, but no one has suggestions. No one wants to be in either of your shoes. We have to stop doing that. This is our district. From what I have been hearing and seeing, the plan for the reconfiguration, the budget, I think you’re on point. So I am thankful for you guys taking this challenge. I have lost my job to, but I am more concerned about these kids.”
Superintendent Carpenter emphasized the importance of unity moving forward. “We made some tough decisions this evening, but I think when the dust settles, we’re going to come back together and do what’s right by the boys and girls in this community,” he said.
The board has scheduled a community engagement meeting for January 27 at 6 p.m. in the Real-World Learning Center. This event aims to continue the dialogue with residents and ensure transparency in the district’s future plans.