Ground breaks on new Pine Bluff High School

Ground was broken Wednesday on a new $74 million Pine Bluff High School, a brick and mortar structure — but one that, as several speakers emphasized, will mean so much more to the community.

“This groundbreaking ceremony not only symbolizes (the) physical construction of a new building,” said superintendent Jennifer Barbaree. “But it represents limitless possibilities that lie ahead for our students. It is a testament to our unwavering belief in the power of education and our commitment to providing our students with the best opportunities to succeed.”

A festive atmosphere of music and fellowship pervaded the scene in front of the current high school, which was last renovated in 1975 using a design that looks like a small college campus, with separate buildings connected by sidewalks and an elevated walkway.

Now, however, at a time in the country when school shootings are almost routine occurrences, the new campus will be self-contained, allowing only one way in and out to enhance safety.

Mayor Shirley Washington said the enclosed space will be a point of pride for teachers and students, adding that in all of her 38 years in education, she had never worked on such a convenient and protected campus.

“This is a historic day,” Washington said. “We now have a new era of possibilities, and it is a testament to our commitment to inspire, learn and grow — and all under one roof.”

The new high school, which will be 172,500 square feet and is scheduled for completion almost two years to the day from the groundbreaking, will put an exclamation point on what is hoped to be a rejuvenation of the city’s hallmark school district.

The district was placed under state control and then had to absorb the Dollarway School District — also under state control, but unable to be released because of continued financial struggles and loss of enrollment. Now, the Pine Bluff School District has been released, and over the next few years it will be in full charge of its own destiny as school board seats become elected positions again.

Through it all, the Zebra faithful did not give up on the district, and they took that enthusiasm to the polls last summer to pass a millage, the proceeds from which will pay for the new high school construction.

Barbaree, decked out in the school colors — a red blazer and black slacks — and wearing zebra-print pumps, said the new school will foster innovation, collaboration and critical thinking.

“We envision a high school that not only prepares students for college and careers but also nurtures their social and emotional well-being,” said Barbaree. “With state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge technology, storm shelter and modern classrooms, we will provide our students with the resources they need to excel academically and personally in a safe environment.”

Lisa Hunter, a Pine Bluff graduate and member of the state Board of Education, said the new high school will be a “beacon of hope and opportunity,” going on to say that the school will spur economic development and jobs, and contribute to the mental and physical well-being of the community.

“The new campus will also provide equity and opportunity — equal opportunity for all children,” she said. “And all means all, regardless of background.”

Other speakers included state Rep. Vivian Flowers, who is the Democratic nominee for Pine Bluff mayor; Erika Evans, the millage campaign chair; Trenton Darrough, a 10th-grade student who will be in the first class to graduate from the new campus; Clayton Vaden with Lewis Architects Engineers; Van Tilbury with East Harding Construction Co.; and Sederick Charles Rice, president of the school board.

To emphasize the importance of the day, there were at least six separate groundbreakings held, with one group handing hard hats and shovels to the next group for their photo op. School board members, administrators, faculty members, and former and current students all took their turns as the crowd of more than a hundred applauded and yelled their support.

The campus already looks like a construction zone, with chain link fencing surrounding the buildings and signage urging caution. Tilbury, the East Harding representative, said work would begin Thursday, first with the demolition of buildings, followed by earth work and then the relocation of utilities. The scheduled day of substantial completion was June 30, 2026, but at Mayor Washington’s urging, the new target day will be June 19 of that year, exactly two years from Wednesday’s celebration of Juneteenth.

At the end of it all, the campus will include a career and technical education center, media lab, kitchen and dining hall, 7,500-square-foot practice gymnasium and tornado shelter, 2,200-seat basketball arena, 900-seat auditorium and central courtyard, putting the campus on par with some of the neighboring school districts, such as Sheridan and White Hall, which passed millages years ago and already have new campus structures. As well, Watson Chapel has passed a millage and is planning its own new high school.

While the day was joyous for those in attendance, there were also some long, thoughtful looks at the old campus that many grew up knowing, loving and attending.

“It’s hard to put into words,” said Courtney Pugh, a 2008 Pine Bluff High School graduate, when asked what the day meant to her. “I remember as a little kid, waiting with my parents to pick up my older sister. The campus looked so big. And when I started school, it still looked big and I wondered if I would ever find my way around and if I would ever find my class. So it’s bittersweet. There’s so much history. But I’m also happy. I want the next generation to have more than what we had.”