The Pine Bluff School District will pour $3,540,740 into improving Jordan Stadium, thanks to a unanimous vote Monday at the district board’s regular meeting.
East Harding Construction Co. is aiming to upgrade the Works Progress Administration-era stadium ahead of the 2026 football season as it continues construction of the new Pine Bluff High School at its original West 11th Avenue location. The biggest ticket item on the stadium budget is $638,200 to remove and replace the artificial turf that is at least 15 years old.
Stadium lighting, listed at $405,000, will be replaced at the stadium with new LED lighting that East Harding Senior Vice President Shawn Carroll said can be used for flickering effects, such as major-college teams use during team introductions and scoring plays. Structural repairs and minor waterproofing for $275,000; as well as reworking of the main electrical system and audiovisual feed, press box upgrades and painting of the existing stadium red-and-white brick and handrails, each of which is priced between $102,000 and $150,000; are listed as well.
Other notable items for the stadium priced less than $100,000 include demolition and debris removal including the upper east press box; new field goal nets, painting of the uprights and pole pads, a new audiovisual sound system, repainting the red iron of the aluminum bleachers and an allowance for concession stand repair. The west press box will now be the main press box as the west bleachers will now be the home side.
A scoreboard that was on the south end of the stadium has been removed as crews are working to build a retaining wall on that side. A $345,000 videoboard will be added to an 8-foot scoreboard and frame structure on the north end. The scoreboard and frame structure will cost $150,000.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
MRS. McNEELY REMEMBERED
Shortly after Monday’s board meeting, the district announced Southwood Elementary second-grade teacher Debra McNeely has died.
Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree wrote in a statement McNeely was “a beloved educator and cherished member” of the school family, adding the district sends thoughts and “heartfelt condolences” to her family, friends, students and “all who were blessed to know her.”
“For many years, Mrs. McNeely served the students and families of our district with unwavering commitment, compassion and professionalism,” Barbaree wrote.
“As a second-grade teacher at Southwood Elementary, she touched countless young lives – nurturing a love of learning and creating a warm, supportive classroom for every child who walked through her door. Mrs. McNeely will be remembered not only for her dedication to education but also for her kindness, patience and the lasting impact she had on her students and colleagues.”
Barbaree said Southwood and the PBSD mourn McNeely’s passing “deeply.”
SHOWING STRIPES
Students at Forrest Park/Greenville Kinder Center received Showing Your Stripes awards.
Cardell Meadows, Jeniyah Williams, Annisa Jenkins, De’Nilah Johnson, Carter Sims, Solana Brewer, Bryson Scarver, Jayce White and Jaxsen Russell received certificates for outstanding performance on the Pilot Pre-K ATLAS (Arkansas Teaching, Learning and Assessment System) Summative Assessment by scoring Level 4. Cassidy-Anne Jordan and Zaveyar Charles were awarded for following the school’s social contract by showing kindness and respect and not making any put-downs.
Other Stripes awards went to:
Pauline Criss for having the top proficiency scores for first-grade ATLAS summative testing during the 2024-25 school year;
Marcia Wilkins for having the top proficiency scores for kindergarten ATLAS summative testing in 2024-25;
Forrest Park/Greenville assistant principal Sheritta Sanders, who as building testing coordinator, instructional facilitator and assistant principal, organized and successfully tested more than 250 kindergartners for the ATLAS screening;
April Williams and Pasha Jackson for successfully registering more than 400 preschool and kindergarten scholars for this school year;
New St. Hurricane Missionary Baptist Church for providing cleaning supplies, children’s books and toy donations from its outreach pantry; and
Latasha McNeely Randle for scholar and staff donations and for teaching financial literacy to the Forrest Park/Greenville community.
FINANCIAL REPORT
In October, the PBSD received $2,978,847 in revenue, bringing the total revenue for this school year (since July) to $6,284,903. The total budgeted revenue for this school year is $27,986,258.
The district’s ending balance as of Nov. 3 is $33,722,749, after $12,554,147 in expenditures.
The total building cost for the new high school through October is $45,804,522. The estimated cost of the project, supported by the 2023 millage increase to 47.7, is $74 million.
PERSONNEL REPORT
The district approved the hires of Samantha McClane as kindergarten teacher at Forrest Park/Greenville and Cameron Johnson as security officer.
Letters of retirement were accepted from Pine Bluff High computer science teacher Cheryl Caldwell-Brown (effective Nov. 17) and PBHS history teacher Holly Matthews (effective Oct. 31). Resignations were accepted from Broadmoor Elementary counselor Veronica Nelson (effective Nov. 12), James Matthews Elementary special education paraprofessionals Vanessa Thomas and Carolyn Barnett (effective Nov. 17) and Office of Retention and Recruitment staff member Jhemiyah McNeal (effective Nov. 28).
