FCSD’s master facilities plan includes new high school

District meeting with architects to repair leaking roofs

A new high school is included in the Forrest City School District’s 2025-27 master facilities plan.

During last week’s board meeting, superintendent Dr. Tiffany Hardrick called the high school project “very, very, very preliminary,” adding, “Some financial movements would need to happen to make this happen but we have to put it on the master plan now.”

The board reviewed a preliminary sketch of a new high school and agreed it may be time to replace the current building.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said board member Evetta Whitby. “I like what I see and we most definitely need it.”

“My thoughts are we have land we purchased that is not in the middle of a neighborhood. We could build a high school there and turn that space where the current high school sits into an athletic complex, additional parking and such,” said Hardrick. ‘We’ll keep exploring it in the master plan and search out funds to pay for it.”

While discussing construction, Sen. Reginald Murdock, the district’s construction manager, told board members that several buildings in the district have leaks that are causing problems for staff and students.

The buildings are on the ABC School campus and both the high school and junior high cafeterias.

Murdock said central office staff, along with board member Roy Hamilton, have been reviewing RFPs (requests for proposals) from architects to move forward with the roof repairs.

“That’s the most dire thing going on now, and we’re trying to get these things handled,” he added.

Murdock said once an architect is selected it would be presented to the board for approval.

“We want to hear from at least three of them,” said Whitby.

“It’s a process we go through to determine who should be recommended to you,” said Murdock.

“I understand,” Whitby responded. “We had an agreement and we’ve talked to Dr. Hardrick about this. If anybody is going to put in a contract or proposal they need to come before the board and talk to the board about their proposal.”

Murdock said he would ask those who submitted RFPs if they would present their proposals to the board. “Certainly whatever the will of the board we will do. I’ll ask potential vendors if they want to do that.”