LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Little Rock school board is looking at possibly postponing the construction of the new West Little Rock High School.
A week ago, we reported that Little Rock West High School of Innovation students would be moved to Hall STEAM Magnet for the renovations.
Now, sticker shock is putting some of the plans in doubt.
The Little Rock School District Board of Education received a memo on Wednesday that the project had some unexpected costs. It's almost double what was estimated two years ago when they first promised voters this.
The latest price tag from Baldwin and Shell, who is expected to build the new Little Rock West High School, is $153,638,057.
"It was not until this meeting I realized that going forward with this project could jeopardize other promises we made," said board member Ali Noland.
In 2021, voters passed a millage extension towards projects like a new school to replace McClellan, security camera upgrades and new classroom and playground replacements.
The millage would generate $300,000,000, meaning if the board moves forward with the new high school in West Little Rock, that would take more than half the funding that will be used for other projects.
"I would prefer focusing on the students in the buildings we already have and the projects we already have," LRSD board member Vicki Hatter said.
After much discussion with LRSD's finance officer and Baldwin and Shell representatives, who are expected to build the new high school, the board decided to vote unanimously to hold off on taking any action on the construction of the school until they have more information.
The board will revisit the matter in December and has until the end of the year to let Baldwin and Shell know if they want to move forward before the bids expire on its current price tag.