Pine Bluff School District prepares for a new era with high school construction

Pine Bluff, Arkansas – The Pine Bluff School District is gearing up to construct a new high school, marking a monumental step forward for the community. This comes after voters, demonstrating their commitment to educational advancement, approved a millage increase back in August.

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Pine Bluff School District has not seen a new campus since the construction of elementary schools, Broadmoor and 34th, in the early 2000s. “Maybe 1986 was when Jack Roby was a whole new school built,” reflected Pine Bluff Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree, indicating the considerable gap since the last major educational infrastructure project.

The new high school will rise on the grounds of the current campus. “Monday, we had our school board meeting, and our school board voted to go ahead and move onto the construction documents,” Barbaree shared. This marks the transition from design to the tangible stages of construction planning.

The district is now in the process of finalizing construction documents and getting them approved, a vital step before the groundbreaking. “That bid package will go out so that we can receive bids on the subcontractors that will come in and do the building of the building,” Barbaree explained. By April, once the pricing is determined, actual construction is slated to begin.

The vision for the new building is not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about shaping an innovative and modern educational environment. Barbaree emphasized the importance of incorporating inputs from students and staff, ensuring that the new structure reflects the needs and aspirations of the 21st century.

Barbaree, a Pine Bluff native herself, sees this project as a new era for the city. Recalling the former glory of Pine Bluff High, she expressed her desire to help the city and its students regain that sense of pride in their educational facilities.

With construction set to occur during the school year, the district is putting plans in place for temporary classrooms to ensure that learning continues uninterrupted. Furthermore, any remaining funds from the project will be channeled towards upgrading other facilities within the district, indicating a holistic approach to educational infrastructure development.

In this ambitious endeavor, Pine Bluff School District is not just building a new high school; it’s laying the foundation for future generations, fostering pride, and driving educational excellence in the community.