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District staff: Bentonville will need new high‑school seats by 2030 and more middle‑school capacity by 2031; $9.1 million athletics and band expansion planned
Summary
District administration presented a 10‑year capital and financial plan that calls for adding roughly 800 high‑school seats by 2030 and a new middle school by 2031. Bentonville West High School needs a $9.1 million athletics and band expansion; staff said operating savings will fund the project without a voter millage request.
Dr. Swanhauser, presenting the Bentonville School District’s annual 10‑year capital and financial plan on Oct. 9, told the school board that the district will need additional high‑school capacity by the 2030–31 school year and another middle school by 2031–32 unless capacity management changes.
"To be able to establish a construction timeline for us to open those seats by the time that we need them at the high school level, we'll need a decision about this time next year from the board of education," Dr. Swanhauser said. He described three options under consideration: a standalone professional studies high school to expand the district’s Ignite career program; an addition to Bentonville West High School; or a third comprehensive high school.
Why it matters: the district’s enrollment projections and the board’s capital plan together create…
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