Students at Jones Elementary School in Springdale walked the hallways for the last time this week, marking the end of a 67-year run for the district facility. The school’s final day of classes on Thursday included an end-of-year assembly and walk, with teachers and students reflecting on decades of memories amid the looming closure.
The Springdale School District plans to shutter Jones Elementary following the 2025-26 school year. Declining enrollment and the high cost of needed renovations were key factors in the decision, district officials said. The building, which opened in 1959, has served generations of families in northwest Springdale.
“We’ve had kids here whose parents, grandparents, even great-grandparents went to school in this building,” said Principal Sheri Reeves. “It’s not just a school. It’s part of the neighborhood.”
Reeves, who has led the school for the past five years, said declining student numbers made it difficult to justify the estimated $12 million needed to bring the aging structure up to current safety and educational standards. District data shows the school enrolled just over 300 students this year, down from more than 500 a decade ago.
Thursday’s final day included traditional end-of-year festivities — a pep rally, student awards, and a walk around the campus. But the mood carried a different weight than in previous years. Teachers wiped away tears during the closing ceremony, and students, many of whom will transfer to nearby Clabber Creek Elementary, seemed aware that this was more than just the end of a school year.
“I’m sad,” said fifth-grader Mia Salazar. “This is the only school I’ve ever known.”
Salazar’s mother, Maria Salazar, said her family moved to the area specifically so her children could attend Jones. “It’s been part of our lives,” she said. “My kids have made memories here. It’s hard to see it go.”
The Jones Elementary building is one of several older facilities in the Springdale district facing potential closure or repurposing as the district adjusts to shifting population trends and state funding models. A Springdale bond issue approved by voters in 2022 allocated funds for new construction and major renovations but did not include enough to modernize all aging campuses.
Superintendent Chuck McCauley said the district conducted a facilities assessment in 2023 that highlighted the structural and systems issues at Jones, including outdated electrical and HVAC systems, and accessibility concerns. He said the district is exploring options for the property, which sits on 12 acres at the intersection of Jones Road and Fulbright Avenue.
“We have to make decisions based on what’s best for students and what’s financially responsible,” McCauley said. “That doesn’t make this any easier, especially for a school with this much history.”
Some community members have expressed interest in preserving the building for other uses. The Springdale Community Development Authority is working with the district to evaluate potential redevelopment options, including partnerships with local nonprofits or developers.
Reeves said the school has attempted to maintain its role in the neighborhood even as enrollment declined, hosting community events and partnering with local organizations. She said the staff is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for students and families in the coming months.
“We’re going to make sure these kids feel supported,” she said. “They’re not just leaving a school. They’re leaving a family.”
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
