Jonesboro, Arkansas – Plans for a major expansion at Westside High School are moving from the drawing board toward construction after the Westside School District Board of Education officially approved the project during its meeting on Monday evening. The long-anticipated addition will extend the existing high school structure toward Highway 91, marking one of the largest facility improvements for the district in recent years.
The board’s decision clears the way for Tate General Contractors to take on the work under a guaranteed maximum price agreement of $14,983,446.87. While the cost is higher than what officials had originally anticipated several years ago, Superintendent Chris George said he believes the district is in a good financial position and expressed relief that the final bids came in at manageable levels.
“Four years later, we’re looking at a little bit more expense to it, but that also includes the safe shelter that has to be built on the inside. So, I was thrilled whenever we got this number on our bids coming in,” George said.
The inclusion of a safe room, designed to provide students and staff protection during severe weather events, has added to the overall expense. Even with that addition, the superintendent emphasized that the pricing remains favorable compared to other construction costs currently being seen across the state. A representative from Tate General Contractors noted that bids came in low because of increased demand for jobs in the construction industry, creating a timely opportunity for the district.
Financially, the district appears well-prepared to cover the costs. Officials detailed a variety of funding sources already in place, which together provide more than enough flexibility to handle the project. Those sources include a 2025 rollover fund of $2,518,161.41, an estimated $1.3 million rollover for 2026, and approximately $7.2 million already in the building fund. Additionally, the district has been approved for $2.1 million in state funding and has secured $8 million in second lien bonds. In total, the district has access to over $21 million in available funds, not only covering the high school addition but also leaving room for other future projects.
The expansion is expected to benefit the student body by creating additional space for classrooms, improving traffic flow near the entrance, and strengthening the overall safety of the facility. For parents and community members, the project represents a long-term investment in both education and infrastructure within the district.
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While the timeline for completion has not yet been formally announced, the board’s approval signals that work will begin in the near future. District leaders say the new addition will help meet the needs of a growing student population while also ensuring that safety and modern educational resources remain a priority.
With financial backing secured and contractor bids locked in, the Westside School District is now preparing to take the next step toward making its vision a reality.
