The new Watson Chapel High School will come with a price tag of just more than $38 million, according to a letter the district received from Baldwin & Shell Construction Co.
The district received a project price proposal of $37,934,957 for the campus, which will be built at the former location of Watson Chapel Junior High School. Combined with a previously approved amendment totaling $927,602, which Superintendent Tom Wilson said covered the cost of the demolition of the former campus, the estimated total project cost is $38,862,559.
In a letter to the district, Baldwin & Shell proposed a start date of May 6 with a date of substantial completion of either March 25, 2026, or 98 weeks from the approval of the project, whichever is later. The price is valid until March 15, according to the contractor.
In addition, the district will also have to pay $2,137,441 in design fees, bringing the total to $41 million. Wilson said the district has the money to cover it.
“It’d better stay that way because we know what the number is, and we’re excited about it,” Wilson said. “We want everybody to be excited about it.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Dirt work will begin May 1, Wilson said.
Wilson said he would later recommend to the board some improvements at the Coleman Elementary campus, including a new cafetorium. Presently, some students have to cross the street that goes through the campus to walk to the cafeteria.
WILDCAT WARRIORS
Junior high students Kayden Rowland, Leo Toney and Janesa Jackson were named Wildcat Warriors for March for exemplifying academic excellence, behavior, moral character and school pride, according to assistant principal Erica Mauldin.
“We wish we had a classroom full of these students, because whether it’s Leo helping other students with their assignments or helping Ms. Mauldin with her computer or getting something off the top shelf; whether it’s Kayden running to get to her aunt’s class making sure she isn’t tardy, being on task; or Janesa, she is the same, assisting with folding the American flag and staying on task, going straight to class after the task is done,” Mauldin said. “It is said these students do it with compassion, they do it with heart and they do it with Wildcat spirit.”
Coleman Elementary Nurse Tonya Sterling was named Wildcat Warrior for staff members for March.
FINANCIAL REPORT
The WCSD had an ending balance of $12,251,973.04 for February. The district received $1,287,437.05 in revenue and spent $1,379,559.82 in non-activity funds during the month.
PERSONNEL MOVES
The district has hired Efrem Elliott as district security director, Janice Oaks as a paraprofessional dyslexia interventionist, and Antwinette Eshmelek-Malakyah as a special education designee for the 2024-25 school year.
Coleman Elementary School Nurse Tonya Sterling (center) was named staff Wildcat Warrior for March. She is pictured with District Nurse Kimberly Williams and Superintendent Tom Wilson. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)