BENTONVILLE — Construction happening in the Bentonville School District is expected to relieve some overcrowding.
A new junior high school is in the works along with 20 classrooms at four elementary schools.
Brad Reed, district student services director, said the new junior high school will provide 825 more seats in the district.
“It means we will make a big dent in the overcrowding at the junior high level,” Reed said. “The junior high level has been overcrowded for a number of years. This will allow us to breathe at that level.”
At A Glance
Rogers Construction
The Rogers School District also is working on several projects, including construction of a new 700 student capacity elementary school, said Ashley Kelly Siwiec, district communications director. The district is also renovating the district annex building as a New Technology High School. The school will open for up to 300 students. Ninth- and 10th-graders will attend the school next year. A grade will be added the years following.
Source: Staff Report
Paul Wallace, district facilities director, said construction is moving along at the 140,453-square-foot building to be named Fulbright Junior High School. The school is on Southwest Bright Road near Bright Field Middle School and Willowbrook Elementary School.
“We have had good weather so far through the summer and the fall,” Wallace said. “That has helped.”
Wallace said 65 percent of the construction has been completed on the building that will open next school year.
The construction of 20 rooms at Cooper, Centerton, Willowbrook and Central Park elementary schools will provide 500 more seats, Reed said.
“Hopefully what it means at the K through four level is that by doing the room additions we will have rooms for all kids to go to the school they are zoned for,” Reed said. “Nothing is 100 percent, but we are hoping to get closer to 100 percent.”
The district also is renovating and adding on 3,093 square feet to a technology building behind Lincoln Junior High School. The remodel will include a new server room, office and training room, Wallace said.
Superintendent Michael Poore said the classroom additions and the technology renovation are things the district has been able to accomplish without asking tax payers for more money.
“These are positive steps to impact what we are going to be able to do next year,” Poore said.