The Watson Chapel School District held their April meeting Thursday night after postponing from Monday night where several items were discussed to include the continual rising cost of construction for a new high school.
Superintendent Tom Wilson spoke with Deltaplex News following the meeting to discuss the costs, which began at $23 million with the State of Arkansas kicking in $15 million towards cost. Those costs are now sitting around $39,480,000 due to inflation and other factors, and the district is now having to figure out ways to come up with the money to build the school.
One issue that hangs in the balance is Senate Bill 355, which could defer mandatory tornado safe rooms until 2025. Governor Sarah Huckabee-Sanders signed the bill into law Thursday evening, but there are amendments to it, which could lead to more in construction costs for the district.
Those additional construction costs for a safe room could be around $8 million due to the district having to provide a safe room large enough to hold 1,000 students.
The board also approved policy updates recommended by the Arkansas School Board Association with the LEARNS Act coming into play on June 1.
Most districts in the state only pay once per month, but teachers within the Watson Chapel School District are asking to be paid twice per month. The board was asked to approve two pay periods, but voted to table any discussion on the matter for one year to see how the LEARNS Act will change things.
Additionally, Wilson said there are other alternatives teachers can use to better budget their money.
The board also approved facility changes for the upcoming construction of the new high school. Edgewood will host grades K-2 in the 2023/24 school year, while Coleman will host grades 3-6, LL Owen will host grades 7-8 in addition to Pre-K, and the High School will host grades 9-12.
