Former Hope High Principal Campbell Releases Statement

By Staff, 01/14/17 5:02 PM

HOPE – Tommie Campbell, former Principal of Hope High School has submitted the following statement:

“I was privilege to serve the students and parents of Hope High School from July 1st, 2014 until my resignation in early March of 2016. I had the opportunity to work with some of the hardest working and caring folks in my career.

While there, we made many improvements in the overall culture of the building including achievement and bringing ill-discipline rates down. I worked many 12-14 hour days dedicating my efforts to the students and staff, visiting many homes and, at times, taking money out of my own pocket and handing it to parents to provide for their child (my student) or their family needs, worked tirelessly into the wee hours with the counselors many nights making sure our student’s and staff’s needs were met, met parents whenever and wherever needed to discuss their child, attended countless after school events during the week and on weekends and lived in the community despite having a family farm 40 miles away.

I say all this to make people aware that all the positive efforts can’t be and shouldn’t be negated by unfounded allegations. I worked wonderfully well with the students, parents, staff and the Board of Education in Hope. I attended many civic meetings and worked with UACCH to bring credit to Hope High School.

i resigned for personal reasons. I was not fired, there was never any investigation into me or my actions by the Arkansas State Police, there were no ethics violations filed with the Arkansas Department of Education nor any legal proceedings whatsoever. The reported information on the Hope-Prescott.com web site was very premature and has been very damaging to what otherwise has been an impeccable 37-year career in military and public education leadership. I simply wish to set the record straight.

Upon my resignation, I remained on contract with the Hope Public Schools through the end of June with full pay and benefits as the High School Principal and Alternative Education Director. I want to close this tumultuous chapter and move forward so I may continue to serve the students of Arkansas.

I currently work with the Henderson State University Teacher’s College as an adjunct professor and supervise/mentor Masters of Arts in Teaching candidates and pre-service teacher interns. I have remained in contact with many wonderful friends and professionals in Hope and at the high school and I certainly wish everyone the absolute best.”