Fayetteville Public Schools to build new junior high, join social media class action lawsuit
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Fayetteville School Board is moving forward with the construction of a new junior high school building and joining a class action lawsuit against social media companies.
The new junior high is part of the district’s plan to implement new feeder patterns during the 2027 school year and add a junior high school.
With this move, both Ramay and Woodland junior high schools will be relocated to new buildings, and John L Colbert Middle School will be converted into the district’s third junior high school.
The old Woodland Junior High School building is set to be converted into a middle school in this plan.
Fayetteville School Board accepting member applicants
Plans for the old Ramay Junior High School building will be decided on at a future school board meeting.
The district is joining a class action lawsuit against social media companies for the harmful effects social media has on students and faculty.
The opportunity was presented to the school board in March by a law firm connected to ongoing civil lawsuits.
Superintendent Dr. John Mulford says the district has been looking into research on technology and phone use among students.
“Our focus is going to be on using technology only to enhance learning, and if we’re not enhancing learning, then we’re not using technology for things like free time or those kinds of things,” Mulford said.
Mulford says a lot of research went into the change.
He says elementary school screen time will be limited, while high schools will have more guidelines in place on when phones can be used.
If the lawsuit is successful, the district would be given additional support to help reduce the impacts of social media.
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