The Fayetteville School Board has approved a guaranteed maximum price of $116,960,128 for the construction of a new Ramay Junior High School. The decision came during Thursday’s meeting, where the board voted 6-0 to amend the budget with an additional $99.9 million for construction costs, on top of the previously approved $17 million spent on pre-construction activities.
The new school will occupy 27 acres east of College Avenue, near Poplar Street, replacing the current Ramay Junior High location. Preliminary site work is already underway. The project is a key component of the Fayetteville Public Schools’ plan to address rising enrollment and provide updated facilities to meet educational needs.
Board members emphasized that this guaranteed maximum price is intended to control costs amid ongoing construction industry inflation, a concern that has affected many public projects nationwide. The approval essentially locks the district’s financial exposure, ensuring the project will not exceed the $116.9 million cap unless authorized by the board.
Ramay Junior High’s new building will reflect modern architectural approaches intended to create an engaging, flexible learning environment. The design plans, developed by Lake Flato Architects, include considerations for natural light, community spaces, and sustainable construction methods that align with Fayetteville’s broader commitment to thoughtful growth and environmental responsibility.
With construction well underway, the school district expects the new junior high to open in time for the 2027-2028 school year. The new site’s proximity to College Avenue means easier access for students coming from neighborhoods east of downtown Fayetteville, including areas around Poplar and Harris roads.
Funding for the project comes from the capital improvement plans voters approved in previous bond elections. These funds have been allocated across several district projects, but Ramay’s rebuild is among the largest investments, illustrating the district’s prioritization of expanding junior high capacity as the student population in Benton County continues to grow.
Students, parents, and staff have been waiting on the facility upgrade for several years, as the current Ramay Junior High is one of the oldest schools in the Fayetteville Public Schools system. The previous campus, built decades ago, has shown its age with outdated classrooms and infrastructure that limits technology integration and modern teaching methods.
Community input has been part of the planning process since early stages. Several public meetings, design reviews, and feedback sessions were held in 2025 and 2026, allowing parents and residents from Fayetteville and surrounding parts of Benton County to weigh in on the layout, amenities, and overall vision for the new school.
Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan, while not directly involved with the school board, expressed support for the project last month, noting that quality school facilities boost local neighborhoods and can attract families seeking strong educational options.
As construction progresses, residents can expect to see continued work on site preparation, foundation laying, and major structural elements over the next several months. The school district has committed to keeping the public informed about any traffic impacts on College Avenue and nearby streets during construction phases.
This project joins other recent and ongoing investments in the Fayetteville Public Schools system, such as improvements to transportation services and renovations at other campuses across the city. The expansion reflects both projected growth in student numbers and the school board’s strategic focus on creating educational environments that reflect 21st-century learning priorities.
For parents considering where their children will attend middle school next year, the new Ramay building will promise more space, better technology, and facilities designed with today’s educational needs front of mind. It’s a chance to move beyond the limitations of the old building and give students a campus that matches the vitality of the Fayetteville community.
Source: Fayetteville Flyer
