Campus addition in Texarkana, Ark., will end school's reliance on portable classrooms

The Texarkana (Arkansas) School District has broken ground on a multipurpose building at the Fairview Academy of Humanities and Innovation that will end the campus’s three-decade reliance on portable classrooms.

KTBS-TV reports that the district has used numerous portable buildings on the campus since 1994.

The new facility will serve about 250 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Principal Bryan McDonald said the project represents a significant milestone for the school community.

The new building will have classrooms for art, music, physical education and science, along with a self-contained room and gymnasium, McDonald said.

Fairview's Facebook page says the portable classrooms were brought onto campus after the school was damaged in a fire.

"For decades they have served our students, but they have gone well beyond their intended lifespan," the school's post said.

Officials said removing the portable buildings will provide additional security for students. The multipurpose building will include a safe room for protection during severe weather.