Pine Bluff home varsity games move to college facility

Pine Bluff High School’s remaining home varsity football games for 2024 have been moved to Simmons Bank Field at Golden Lion Stadium, with the possibility of all 2025 home games there close to reality.

Pine Bluff School District Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree announced the decision Wednesday at a monthly board meeting. The varsity Zebras have already played two games at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff facility, hosting Dallas Kimball on Sept. 7 and Camden Fairview on Sept. 13.

Junior high and sub-varsity games are being contested at Jordan Stadium, which is expected to see some upgrades by the scheduled 2026 completion of the new high school.

The move to “The Bank” gives PBHS a more contiguous parking plan for home games as ongoing construction of a new high school at its original West 11th Avenue location has impacted parking lots for the aging Jordan Stadium. The district previously revealed plans to use parking lots at the nearby AT&T and Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative buildings and on West 11th Avenue while converting the former home-side lot to accommodate only those with disabilities.

Barbaree revealed the district is continuing negotiations with UAPB officials to secure home games to Simmons Bank Field for 2025. Three of Pine Bluff’s remaining six games will be at “The Bank”: the Oct. 4 homecoming date with Maumelle; the Nov. 1 against Robinson and Nov. 7 against White Hall. The Oct. 18 game will be at Searcy.

ZEBRA ATHLETIC CLUB

Members of the Zebra Athletic Club were introduced to the public Wednesday.

The booster club, founded last November, seeks to help the district upgrade athletic facilities and build relationships with coaches, club president Jason Lovell said. One of its main fundraisers is an annual golf tournament, the latest one held in June.

“We’re trying to get our kids compatible through upgrades with the other schools so we can compete on the athletic side,” club member Omar Allen Sr. said. “We’re already doing great on the academic side, but on the athletic side … we’ll be soliciting the community to help us out to get the funds to make this happen.”

A new basketball arena is already part of the high school construction plan. The PBHS boys basketball team has won the past two 5A state championships.

DISTRICT-SUPPORT GOALS

The board approved a district-support plan, the goals for which are:

“To develop, provide and support a professional learning community that will work collaboratively to drive continuous improvement in all schools through a positive and productive school culture that is sustainable over time;

“To support all PBSD educators and staff members in order to ensure individual growth and increased achievement in reading for all students;

“To support all PBSD educators and staff members in order to ensure individual growth and increased achievement in mathematics for all students;

“To develop, implement and support a system that engages families, students, staff and community members regarding school instructional programs, supports/resources and extracurricular activities, volunteer opportunities, and school/district events,” and;

“To recruit and retain high-quality teachers to ensure equitable access to effective teachers for all students.”

According to the district’s theory of action: “IF we develop, provide and support professional learning that drives continuous improvement and supports a collaborative team culture, empowers educators and staff to develop and implement a system that engages families, students, staff and community members, and recruit and retain high-quality teachers, THEN our efforts will be independently sustainable over time, and all students will experience equitable opportunities for individual growth and increased achievement.”

SHOWING STRIPES

Many “Showing Your Stripes” awards were presented Wednesday.

Bus driver Carl Smith was honored for his acts in saving the life of a Pine Bluff police officer who was severely injured in a crash that rear-ended a bus near James Matthews Elementary in August.

Go Forward Pine Bluff CEO Ryan Watley and Teach for America Greater Delta executive director Kewanza Williams were honored for their partnership with the district to bring TFA back to the district. Wilma Kindle of the PBSD Unified Stakeholders also received a certificate after presenting the district with a $2,000 donation from the organization.

House Leaders for Matthews Elementary were honored. The students lead their peers in following academic and behavioral expectations.

The students include Rain’Marie Whitmore, Charity Johnson, Paradise Edwards, Ja’Riyah Pridgeon, Tierra Finley, Na’dia Bankston, J’Den Allen, Ivori Butler and Bryson Cross.

PERSONNEL MOVES

The district hired Sandra Rankins as a bus aid and William Warren in maintenance. Resignations were turned in by social workers Darci Patterson and Charles West.