Hope Public Schools headquarters at 601 West Sixth Street in Hope.

Hope Public Schools Superintendent Jonathan Crossley issued a statement today that follows Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin's filing of motions April 10 with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas. If the motions are granted, they would do away with federal consent decrees that require continued monitoring of three Arkansas school districts, including Hope Public Schools, for their compliance with de-segregation standards.

According to Griffin, the existence of the consent decrees disallows school choice for parents and children living within the three districts. Schools considered in compliance with these standards would be considered "unitary." Griffin said in his motion filing that Hope Public Schools has met the qualification for being "unitary."

Crossley said today, "We are talking about this as a school board on Monday. We want to have unitary status in the near future and have taken steps in that direction, including participation in the Magnet Grant to provide equitable outcomes for all students. Hope School District does already take part in school choice and is excited to be an educational destination for all students in the ArkLaTex."

The other school districts that received notice of motions by Griffin were El Dorado and Lafayette County.

The Hope Public Schools Board of Education meeting will take place Monday, April 17 at 6:00 p.m. following a five-year plan update that will occur starting at 5:00 p.m. Both events will take place at UAHT's Hempstead Hall.