Rising construction costs at Arkansas school districts during inflation

Jacksonville, Arkansas – School districts in Arkansas continue to see the long-term impacts of inflation.

According to one superintendent, some construction projects cost millions more than intended.

Federal money will take care of Phase Two of the district’s middle school expansion, Dr. Jeremy Owoh of Jacksonville/North Pulaski said.

Two elementary school projects will be next in line, and the budget for those continues to increase because of rising construction costs. “Inflation has definitely hit us hard,” Owoh said. “A building that would’ve cost $19 million is now costing upward, of $23-$24 million.”

This is an issue impacting several districts in the state, Owoh said. He said he hopes legislators take this into account when convening for the next general session. “We hope that the legislative body will address the inflation, the rising costs,” Owoh said.

Owoh thinks teacher pay and other issues should also be looked at.

According to legislators, they plan to make education a key focus of the next session.