Bentonville Schools consider R.E. Baker Elementary demolition

Damara Hale
·2 min read

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Bentonville Schools facilities assessment considers demolishing R.E. Baker Elementary School.

Bentonville Schools received results from a facilities assessment for schools near downtown Bentonville. During Wednesday’s work session, the board discussed the results of the assessment. One of the results is to consider demolishing R.E. Baker Elementary School.

Abbi Lane of Bentonville lives up the street from R.E. Baker Elementary School. Although she’s new to living in the neighborhood, she and her family are familiar with the area.

“My aunt and uncle actually used to live in this house, and they lived in here since, I think, 2011. My grandparents live a couple of blocks away,” said Lane.

“I think it’s pretty interesting, especially with how much this area is growing,” said Lane.

The assessment says R.E. Baker Elementary School did not comply with some Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, and the way it is built will make it hard to install new HVAC and fire suppression systems.

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She says she’s intrigued about the choice but worried about her cousin’s future at the school.

“I think it would not be great for her. She’s making these connections at the school, now and then. They’d tear it down, and she might not go to school with them anymore, which would probably not be good for her,” said Lane.

At the work session, the board discussed other options for the land, instead of demolition.

“We have extra space at Grimsley, and I’m talking about the land we currently own. We have space to put an elementary and a middle school,” said a Bentonville Schools board member.

The board also discussed its master plan and design for the future of the schools. This includes goals like creating a safe, comfortable and socially diverse environment in future school construction projects.

All around, Lane says she thinks it might impact the future of the area.

“It would be interesting if they actually did it. I think that it would change the demographic of the area,” said Lane.

During the meeting, the board discussed the master plan for construction plans. You can find it here.

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