Construction Nears Finish at Mills University Studies High School as Pulaski County Pushes for Unitary Status

The Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) is close to wrapping up key construction projects at Mills University Studies High School, marking a major milestone as the 11,800-student district continues its efforts to achieve full unitary status under a longstanding federal school desegregation case.

In a court-ordered biannual report filed Friday, district attorneys Devin Bates, Jay Bequette, and Cody Kees informed U.S. District Judge D. Price Marshall Jr. that work on new classroom spaces is progressing on schedule.

“Assuming that everything goes according to plan, the classrooms are expected to be completed (July 1, 2025), with furniture expected to be delivered in the middle part of July,” the attorneys wrote in their status update, referring to a key component of the ongoing facilities improvement plan.

The latest report is part of the district’s required updates under the 1982 federal desegregation lawsuit originally filed by the Little Rock School District. PCSSD remains under judicial oversight as it works to demonstrate compliance with court mandates aimed at eliminating the vestiges of segregation in its schools.

School officials are hopeful that this construction progress will help fulfill the district’s obligations and demonstrate continued good-faith efforts toward equitable facility investments.

“PCSSD anticipates putting the classrooms to work on the first day of the upcoming school year,” the attorneys added, signaling the district’s intent to have students learning in the new spaces by the August 2025 start date.

The construction work at Mills is part of broader infrastructure upgrades across the district, which include modernizing aging facilities, expanding capacity, and ensuring equal access to high-quality learning environments for all students.

Mills University Studies High School, located in southwest Pulaski County, has been a focal point for these improvements. The upgrades are expected to bolster academic programs and enhance student experiences—especially as the school supports specialized academic tracks and serves a diverse student population.

As PCSSD inches closer to potential release from federal supervision, court filings like the one submitted Friday will play a crucial role in demonstrating the district’s compliance with desegregation mandates, particularly regarding facilities equity.

The court is expected to continue monitoring the district’s progress through periodic filings and hearings until a final determination is made regarding its unitary status.

Originally reported by Lena Miano in NWA Online.