BENTON, Ark. — Students in the Benton School District system may see some changes starting next fall.
The district has plans to add a second middle school campus to help alleviate overcrowding issues— construction for the new Mountain View Middle School (MVMS) is already underway.
“No matter whether you go to Benton Middle School or Mountain View Middle School, next year, you're still going to get a high-quality education and a vast amount of opportunities," said Chris Johnson, who will serve as principal of MVMS.
While the new campus is currently under construction, that won’t be the case for much longer, according to Superintendent Kim Anderson.
In fact, she said the exterior work is mostly wrapped up.
“Everything's pretty much moved inside. Painting, drywall, hanging, and, things along that line," Anderson described. "We are looking at a completion date somewhere in June or July and we’ll open the doors in August of 2025."
Inside those doors is a facility that Anderson said is much needed, as Benton Middle School has simply become overcrowded.
“In our other middle school, we have approximately 1,400 students,” Anderson said. “And so obviously, with this one opening up, it's going to help us relieve some stress and pressure, because I think that building is only supposed to hold about 1,200.”
Anderson also said the new school will give students increased opportunities, using sports as an example.
“Currently, we have about 150 students involved in athletics for boys and about the same number for girls,” Anderson said. “And so you have a lot of kids that can't make the team, or they're sitting on the sidelines. By having another middle school, it's going to provide them an opportunity to participate and play.”
One thing that might seem a little strange at first is the location of the school— which is about 15 minutes down I-30 from Benton Middle School and most of Benton’s other campuses.
However, Anderson explained that the area was chosen because of the potential for growth.
"A lot of our growth is out 70, up Highway 5, and Centennial Valley," Anderson said. "That's kind of in our back door and they're looking at adding over 400 new homes there.”
She added it won’t hurt anything that the new Buc-ee’s location will also be in the area.
Johnson said MVMS will be a place with great staff and great opportunities for students to get involved.
“To be able to be a part of this is just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m just thankful that our administration and the school board have given that opportunity," said Johnson.
As far as who will attend the new school, Anderson said the boundary lines still need to be drawn, but generally, it’ll be current Mountain View Elementary students, as well as some Benton Middle School fifth and sixth-grade students depending on where they live.
The new Mountain View Middle School campus will be for students in fifth through seventh grade.