LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD), alongside Baldwin & Shell Construction Company, officially broke ground today on a significant expansion project at Joe T. Robinson High School.
The projected $35 million project will add more than 50,000 square feet of new space to the campus, including a three-story classroom building and a one-story band building that will double as a tornado storm shelter. Once complete, the expansion will increase Robinson High School’s capacity to 1,500 students, ensuring the school can continue to meet the needs of its growing community.
On Thursday, students picked up shovels with Principal Laconya Isaac, Superintendent Jeff Senn, School Board Vice President Dr. Laurel "Laurie" Tait, and other district officials to break ground on the project.
“The students are going to be even more excited when they see a rock moved, a brick laid, and buildings start (rise),” Isaac said, raising her hands.
The addition was funded through the 2021 "Building for the Future" ballot initiative. The PCSSD Board of Education approved moving forward with the design and bidding process in October 2024.
“This has been a long time coming for our district," Superintendent Senn said. "This is a part of our district that is growing, so we are glad to be growing with the need."
Project Highlights
Classroom Building: 40,017 sq. ft., three stories of classrooms, administrative spaces, and restrooms; capacity for 280 students and staff.
Band Building & Storm Shelter: 10,393 sq. ft., designed for music instruction and rehearsals; daily occupancy of 223; doubles as a FEMA-rated storm shelter with capacity for 1,000 people.
Completion Date: Projected for 2027.
