The East End (Arkansas) district is beginning construction of an $8 million addition to its high school building in Bigelow.
KVOM Radio reports that the project will add about 34,000 square feet to the Bigelow High School campus and will replace an older part of the high school, which will be demolished.
"The addition is going to include a new cafeteria and kitchen, several new classrooms, a new business lab, new science lab, new band room, choir room and media center," said Superintendent Heidi Wilson. "It also includes a safe room for our students and staff so that's pretty exciting, as well. It'll be our first safe room in the district."
During 2025-26, students in some classes will have to be relocated into temporary classrooms in the gymnasium and other locations. Construction is scheduled for completion in July 2026.
A $4.2 million partnership grant from the State of Arkansas will help East End pay for the addition.
The architect is Lewis Architects Engineers, and the contractor is Nail Construction.
