Green Forest, Arkansas – The Green Forest School District is moving forward with a major construction project that will replace several aging school facilities with a brand‑new 7‑12 grade high school and a state‑of‑the‑art performing‑arts center.
Funding and community support
The district secured $10 million in partnership funding from the Arkansas Department of Education and a $30 million bond that voters approved in November 2025. Superintendent David Gilmore emphasized that the combined $40 million package is essential to address the district’s deteriorating infrastructure, which includes cracked floors and ceilings caused by soft, clay‑laden soil that has caused the existing buildings to sink.
“This was a need, not a want,” Gilmore said. “We needed new facilities, extra space, and a safe, dry environment for our students. Turning away $10 million of free partnership funding would have been a mistake.”
Project details
The new high school will serve grades 7‑12 and feature modern classrooms, science labs, and technology upgrades. Adjacent to the school, a 500‑seat performing‑arts center will house band, chorus, and visual‑arts rooms, providing a venue for student performances and community events. The center is also designed to function as a storm shelter, offering a secure gathering place during severe weather.
Construction is slated to begin in 2027, with demolition of the old structures already underway. The district plans to bring in new, stable soil to prevent future sinking, a factor that raises construction costs but ensures long‑term durability.
Community reaction
Local residents, alumni, and current students have expressed enthusiasm for the project. “Students are very excited,” Gilmore noted. “Our freshman class will be the first to occupy the new building, and future generations will benefit from a safe, modern learning environment.” Recent graduates recalled attending classes in the aging facilities and welcomed the district’s commitment to improvement.
Timeline and expectations
The district expects groundbreaking in 2027, with completion targeted for the 2028‑2029 school year. Once finished, the new campus will consolidate students who currently attend classes in out‑buildings and portable classrooms that were intended as temporary solutions three decades ago.
Superintendent Gilmore concluded, “We can’t keep kicking this issue down the road. With the partnership funding and bond in place, we’re finally able to provide the safe, warm, and dry facilities our children deserve.”
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
