Thanks to the support of our community, the Gentry Public Schools millage restoration has passed. This is an exciting step forward in our plan to manage enrollment growth, expand student opportunities, and improve facilities. This vote restores our millage rate to 46 mills—the same level it was before the rollback in 2024.

What This Will Help Fund

The restoration allows us to begin an initial phase of a strategic facility plan by funding two key projects:

• Middle School Classroom Addition + Storm Shelter

  
  A much-needed expansion designed to relieve overcrowding and provide space for academic growth. This addition will also serve as a storm shelter for up to 750 people, improving safety districtwide. The current plan is to construct the addition on the southwest side of the middle school, where an expansion port was originally built to accommodate future growth.

• New Pioneer Arena
  A modern facility to support wrestling, volleyball, and school events—creating space for growth in programs and freeing up the existing gym for other needs. The current plan is to build it next to the PAC, on the southwest corner of the practice field, with the front facing east toward Pioneer Lane. We aim to preserve enough space for our teams to continue using the field for practice, but we’ll explore alternative solutions if the construction impacts too much of the area.

Please note that the final details will be guided by the construction bidding process and available funding.

Meeting Growth Now, While Planning for the Future

This is just the beginning. While a new high school remains a long-term goal, we are not pursuing it just yet because:

• We must seek eligibility for future state partnership funding;

• We are focused on maximizing existing space through smart, immediate improvements;

• We are committed to ensuring financial responsibility and readiness for when the time is right.

By expanding the middle school now, we address current needs and free up space at the high school, which helps both campuses function better without triggering major new construction costs.

Facilities Support the Big Picture: Student Success

This vote complements our continued investment in academics and student opportunity.

From career tech and college credit to new instructional materials and growing fine arts support, Gentry is making real progress in the classroom. Facility improvements like these help us keep pace with regional growth while reinforcing the educational excellence already happening in our classrooms every day.

What’s Next?

Now that the restoration has passed:

• We'll move forward with final design and bid processes;

• We’ll continue engaging the community as plans take shape;

• And we’ll stay focused on delivering high-quality spaces that support both learning and student life.

Planning for the project will begin immediately, with the goal of completing final designs, securing permits, and going out to bid later this year. While we aim to break ground by this time next year, please note that this timeline is an estimate and depends on factors like market conditions and other variables. Exciting meetings and planning will be underway in the meantime to help bring this vision closer to reality.

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who voted, asked questions, or shared feedback during this process. Gentry’s future is bright—and this restoration gives us the momentum to keep moving forward.