PCSSD approves Harris renovations as interim receiving site while College Station is rebuilt

The Pulaski County Special School District board voted May 13 to approve a $2.14 million renovation package at Harris Elementary — a measure the district’s administration says is needed to prepare Harris to receive students while College Station Elementary is rebuilt.

Administration presented a site plan and funding outline by construction lead “mister Johnson,” saying the district anticipates using $8 million of second‑lien bond proceeds earmarked for College Station plus roughly $2.23 million in insurance proceeds for damaged Building 1. Harris was allocated $2 million in the district’s planning documents; the board approved a specific renovation contract for 28,900 square feet at $2,140,000 to allow work this summer aimed at receiving relocated students in fall 2025 if required.

The vote drew on public comment earlier in the meeting, when parents and community advocates urged clearer communication and an effort to avoid uprooting students. “If we’re going to be displaced ... that’s jeopardizing our retention of our students,” said Britney Walker, a parent who urged the district to keep College Station students together and to return clear explanations to families. Grassroots Arkansas executive director Dr. Anika Whitfield and other College Station community members asked the board to “do things with this community” rather than make decisions without regular stakeholder input.

Why this matters: College Station serves many students with high needs and parents and advocates said they fear a temporary relocation could prompt families to enroll elsewhere. District officials said the extent of damage to one existing building on the College Station site leaves it unusable; Johnson told the board Building 1 must be demolished and a new academic building would be sited so that only the cafeteria and storm shelter would remain from the current campus. Administration said the rebuilt academic space would not add a new cafeteria but would provide modern classroom, media and special‑education spaces and address flooding and accessibility issues on the campus.

Key details and timeline - Funding: Johnson said the program currently anticipates $8 million in bond proceeds for College Station, $2 million for Harris, plus a $2.23 million insurance recovery for Building 1. The district’s cabinet recommended the funding split and sought the board’s approval for Harris renovations tonight. - Site plan: The proposed College Station layout would concentrate new classroom space into a single new building while retaining the existing storm shelter and cafeteria; a new bus loop would be created and a county‑funded inclusive playground (budgeted at $150,000) was proposed for the site. - Timeline: Administration said earlier estimates had construction starting later, but with updated designs they are targeting having a new building on the ground by August 2026. Johnson said moving students in January had been discussed but that most cabinet members prefer an August transition to avoid mid‑year disruption; he said community meetings would resume now that more information is available.

Community concerns and administration responses Community speakers repeatedly requested more direct communication and raised practical concerns about transportation, enrollment retention and the effect of relocation on families who walk or are car riders rather than bus riders. Representative Joyce Springer asked why College Station did not appear on the construction agenda; Johnson replied the project is now being actively advanced and he will return with more detailed drawings and schedule items for board approval.

Board action The board approved the Harris Elementary renovation proposal (28,900 sq. ft., $2,140,000). The motion was made by Board Member Ward and seconded by Dr. Tate; the measure passed on a voice vote.

Next steps Administration said it will resume community stakeholder meetings with updated drawings and schedule details, refine cost estimates to hit the $10.5 million target for College Station, and return to the board with the final College Station design and bids. Transportation logistics, parental choices and whether families will be offered alternatives to Harris remain to be finalized and communicated.

What the record shows The discussion combined extended public comment from College Station community members and a construction update from PCSSD staff. The vote on the Harris renovation was the formal action in the meeting regarding the College Station project.