Junior high unveils new building to improve education

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - On Monday, crews began demolishing parts of Douglas MacArthur Junior High School in preparation for a new state-of-the-art facility.

Assistant Superintendent for Jonesboro Public Schools William Cheatham said they could not be more excited, but it can create some headaches trying to build while kids are in school.

“It was chaotic, especially this spring. It [the construction] started last fall, but really this spring, just trying to move and make things happen as far as traffic patterns and student flow, so I hope all of that will be cleared up,” Cheatham said.

Cheatham said this is a classroom replacement project for a part of the campus built 50 years ago.

The project also solves a major concern parents have about pick-ups and drop-offs.

“The biggest thing they will see is a nice new driveway that gets traffic off of Wilkins for safety and just really helps the traffic flow in the mornings and afternoon,” Cheatham said.

The new building will mainly house 7th-grade students while offering a little of everything.

“There will be a choir room. It will have a new drama art space. Basically, our fine arts area downstairs. And then some science labs, science classrooms, and computer labs and computer classrooms,” Cheatham said.

JPS hopes to have construction completed by August.

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