Restructuring in the Works For Shrinking Pine Bluff Schools

The buildings are getting old and there aren`t as many students filling the Pine Bluff School District as there used to be. Since 1988, Pine Bluff school enrollment has steadily declined from 7,700 students, to 5,700 students this school year. Many of the buildings are around 40 to 55 years old, the oldest was built in 1941. Superintendent Frank Anthony says in order to make sure schools are adequate and equitable, as required by the Lake View court decision, the district may need to streamline the number of campuses and add or renovate some buildings. "Research says if you put a child in an environment conducive to education, achievement certainly doubles or increases," explained Superintendent Frank Anthony. At a meeting Tuesday night, parents and teachers had the chance to hear more about the district`s proposals to restructure. The board could select one of the three proposed school models within the next 30 days. The next step would be to decide which buildings stay, or go and which can be renovated. Once an estimated cost is figured, the district could ask voters for a millage increase.