Springdale (Ark.) district seeks state funding to renovate 9 buildings

The Springdale (Ark.) school district is hoping the state will allocate $60 million for several construction projects.

The funding from the Arkansas Public Facilities Partnership would be earmarked for nine buildings the district wants to renovate, reports The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

The partnership has said it will pay 58.4% of the construction costs; the district would be responsible for the rest.

Springdale is looking to update or replace some of its older buildings. The proposed projects:

• Jones Elementary --$5.9 million to replace the main building, constructed in 1959 

• Elmdale Elementary -- $7.2 million to replace the main building, constructed in 1965.

• George Elementary --$1 million to replace the air conditioning and heat system.

• Westwood Elementary -- replace the main building, constructed in 1959 (cost estimate unavailable).

Other ongoing projects:

• New air conditioning and heating systems at Kelly and Tyson middle schools; the partnership would provide $2.1 million for each school. These projects will be complete this summer.

• A new media center at George Elementary in August 2023.

• Replacing the main building of Southwest Junior High with additions in 2024; the partnership would provide $12 million.

• Replacing the main building of Central Junior High with additions in 2024; the partnership would provide $17 million.

• Replacing the 1951 buildings on the Springdale High School campus with a new gym and classroom buildings; the partnership would provide $8.6 million.