Batesville, Ark. — Students in the Southside School District will start the school year on August 13 in a new $40 million high school designed to prepare them for college, careers, and beyond.
The facility features state-of-the-art career technology centers, modern agricultural and home economics shops, upgraded audio-visual technology, and spacious common areas. Officials say the upgrades aim to give students tools and confidence to succeed after graduation.
“We’re big on setting kids up for their future story,” Superintendent Dion Stevens said. “We don’t want them to have an intimidation factor of leaving here, going on to a two- or four-year university.”
One major highlight of the new facility is the cafeteria. Stevens noted it represents a significant improvement over the district’s previous lunchroom.
Teachers also played a role in shaping the design of the classrooms. Southside Band Director and alumnus Tyler Fields, who has taught at the district for 10 years, said educators provided input to better address the needs of students.
“We kind of got to go through and say, ‘Hey, this is the kind of things that, based on our experience, our room is missing. This is what we need to take our program to the next level,’” Fields explained. “And if we can make it happen, we did.”
Fields also commended the community for coming together to support the investment in the district’s future. “I can look at this school and say, ‘Hey, look, I supported that,’” he said. “And look at what the future of this area is going to be because I made a little bit of a sacrifice today for a better future tomorrow.”
The new high school is one of the most significant upgrades in the district’s history, with officials emphasizing its potential to dramatically enhance how students learn and prepare for their futures.