Space for Everyone Tipton Multipurpose Facility

04/07/2025

Tomorrow is the day! Vote yes for Tipton School April 8

04/06/2025

03/30/2025

Vote yes for Tipton School April 8

03/23/2025

There’s a saying that I often quote after elections. It’s a sentiment meant to comfort those who fell short and give encouragement to those who succeeded. It’s “election days come and go, but for those who wish for a better tomorrow, the fight never ends.” However, in this moment for Tipton, I cannot remember a more important election to participate in.

In my view, the teacher tax levy is a must pass. The increasing pressures from the state and the strength it gives in retention requires an affirmative vote. To be clear though, even with passage, this funding for teachers will not be a cure all. Our teachers will not become wealthy overnight. It’s just enough resources to place our district back on a firm foundation to weather an uncertain future.

Given the retirement of Dr. Robinson, the board members we choose will be a vote for his successor. Our next superintendent will inherit the increasing state pressure, the struggles to attract and retain teachers, and an aging campus that hasn’t seen a major renovation or new construction in over a decade coupled with a bond levy set to expire in roughly 10 years.

The next superintendent will also inherit us. I would encourage support for whomever is elected and whomever they choose as our next district leader. Their impending tasks are not easy ones and I applaud those who have sought this role.

Which brings us to the final matter our voters will decide regarding our school district, the proposed multi purpose facility. I will reiterate the same sentiment I expressed at the recent community forum. The proudest moment I’ve been granted as mayor of Tipton was not an exciting announcement. It was a simple sentence in the Tipton Times that even an avid reader may have overlooked. It stated “after the audit, the city of Tipton increased its net position by over a million dollars year over year.

The increase in value to our city is one of the largest on record, but it didn’t come because we hoarded tax revenue. Quite the opposite, we increased our value because we invested heavily back into our city by acquiring property and investing back into direct resources for our city.

The same principle applies to our school district. Whenever we invest into it, our collective value grows. The passage of this multi purpose structure will keep our bond levy alive. It allows us to invest now and in the near future, as the debt is paid down, we can increase our value again in another project our district deserves. In fair warning, if we allow that to bond levy to expire. We won’t become richer due to decreased taxes. We will become poorer because we won’t be able to afford the roof over our tommorow’s heads.

The April 8th vote will be one of the most consequential ballots for our school in recent memory. Please participate and encourage others to as well.

Mark Hampton

https://youtu.be/2suP6EHi3WE?si=kLZzvA5pw2F17bPA

03/19/2025

“I don’t care if we don’t practice in a new facility. Let the other activities. I’m fine with it. I just want the ability to have practice and still eat dinner with my wife.” Coach Cooper

Even with increased salaries, we will never be able to repay the investment in our tomorrows by our teachers and coaches. With this space, we can give them the most valuable resource of all. Time.

Vote Yes April 8th for Tipton School

03/15/2025

Vote Yes for Tipton School April 8

Statement of Support Coach Duke

As a community member and coach I can confidently respond without hesitation or delay that this space has zero negatives in my opinion and is a need not a want. We have unfortunately dealt with space limitations for decades. I have spoken to students from the 90's who also dealt with 5:30am practices or very late evening practices. The lack of space and difficult timing creates challenges for athletes and coaches when it comes to family time, education and much more.

Additionally, I can cite multiple instances when teams and activities can not practice outdoor due to weather (heat, cold and precipitation). This facility helps solve that issue as well. Space for all activities is a must. This facility has that. Over 90% of our students are in extra and co-curricular activities that need additional space. When a school district is blessed to have such incredible participation why not support and feed it to create additional opportunities. I am sure that some will ask is it big enough. Well, my answer would be that is solves a great deal of concerns and issues and can be expanded but if we wait to only create space and opportunities until it is a certain size it is unlikely we will ever see it built and it will certainly cost more to build.

11/06/2024

Thank you to those who supported this proposal and to everyone that took the time to participate in the election. Every voice is given the same value and the results are respected, whether it succeeds or fails. The ability alone, to have the opportunity to chart our collective future, is something very special. Though the proposal fell short, it’s imperative that we keep seeking progress for our school. Our tomorrows and our community deserve this level of positive engagement. Election days come and go, but for those that want to build a better future, the fight never ends.

10/30/2024

“I don’t care if we don’t practice in a new facility. Let the other activities. I’m fine with it. I just want the ability to have practice and still eat dinner with my wife.” Coach Cooper

Even with increased salaries, we will never be able to repay the investment in our tomorrows by our teachers and coaches. With this space, we can give them the most valuable resource of all. Time.

Vote Yes Nov. 5 for Tipton School

10/25/2024

Vote Yes for Tipton School Nov. 5

Click on page for more information and statements of support

10/24/2024

Vote Yes Tipton School Nov. 5

Statement of Support: Aaron Long

Tipton has always been home to me and my family. Born and raised here, I was fortunate enough to spend my college years in Springfield, MO, where my wife and I almost called home. We didn't call Springfield home because we knew we wanted to move back and raise our family within our roots. We knew that our small hometown provided for our needs and desires at the time, and we wanted the same for our children. And at that time, it was enough, but time moves on and things change.

Todays world is very different than that of 5, 10, 20 or 50 years ago. With that needs to come change. Our roots have provided for us as a family and we want the same for our children. But to provide, a school district must adapt and have support from its community. Our community has a real opportunity to take a major step forward with the addition of this building.

It was just announced that Martin Energy will be adding 225 jobs to it's Tipton facility. This number is huge for our small town. With this announcement comes additional needs for our school. Our student population should grow, which means more involvement, more teams for youth, middle and high school extracurricular activities. But where can these student athletes refine their craft if more space is needed and we are already past capacity? This building can make new families looking to move here see that we, as a community, are invested in our students and athletes. This is called a multi-purpose building for a reason. Band, archery, wrestling, basketball, baseball, softball, football, and volleyball, among other groups, would be able to use this building. I can also see the building used for FFA, DECA, and FBLA district contests. The possibilities are nearly endless, but nearly every student would be able to use this building if they are involved in an extracurricular activity.

I have coached several different sports for my children, and space is always an obstacle. This building would enable practices to end earlier, allowing for families to have more quality time. I hope that we can move forward as a united community and show that Tipton will indeed support the school district.