MSSD to begin construction on new high school

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    JONATHAN CANADAY
    Southwest Arkansas Radio

    MINERAL SPRINGS – The Mineral Springs School District will begin construction on a new high school later this year. Architect Craig Boone of Architecture Plus said preliminary drawings are continuing to be tweaked by school district officials. He said there are certain components that are required by the state department of education to be included in construction plans. The estimated twenty million dollar project will include a new gymnasium. Boone confirmed the building will be located across from the current campus, in front of the current high school. The administration building and ABC/Headstart area will be torn down to make room for the new construction. Mineral Springs School Board members purchased one residence, located behind the bus area, for $160,500 during a Monday meeting. The eight tenths of an acre will also be included in the construction, which when finished will be about a 100,000 square foot facility. An aerial survey of the property has been completed and crews will begin clearing the land in June. Applications for the position of construction manager are due on Jan. 27. Superintendent Curtis Turner says school will continue as normal for both the elementary and high school this fall. Plans are currently being developed and the ABC program may be temporarily moved to the Saratoga campus. The construction area will be fenced off and work will continue while school is in session. School officials reported attendance at 180 students for grades seven through 12 and 218 students at the elementary school.
    Following an executive session, the board voted to hire Tim Erwin as a classroom observer at $300 per day. Superintendent Turner said the observations are part of new testing requirements. A recommendation to hire Earl Haddan as a long term substitute resulted in three yes votes and three abstain votes. Board President William Dixon said since the vote ended in a tie, that the motion did not pass. The board also extended Superintendent Turner’s contract for an additional two years.

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