SEARCY ‘Just incredible’

Arts center offers expanded space, updated technology

By Amy Widner

LITTLE ROCK — Class is in session at Searcy High School’s $18 million Performing Arts Center.

Construction on the project drew to a close as the district geared up for the coming school year, and teachers and students were able to move into their new classrooms on the first day of school, Aug. 18. The community was invited to tour the facility at a dedication ceremony on Sunday.

The center, which houses an auditorium and band, choir, drama and broadcast journalism facilities, replaced the high school’s 38-year-old auditorium. Superintendent Tony Wood said several factors went into the decision to replace the previous auditorium - from technology updates to space considerations.

“[The auditorium, choir and band rooms] were just not adequate for the growth we’ve had over the last several years,” Woods said. “A project like this was just one more step, which it seems like we’re making every year these days, to improve our facilities to better serve our students.”

The center was funded withmoney from the state Partnership Program, bonds and district reserves, Wood said, noting that not only did the district not have to ask Searcy residents for a millage hike, but that the district’s millage, at 36.20 mils, is below the state average, 36.249 mils, according to the Arkansas Department of Education Web site.

After a year and a half of construction, broadcast journalismteacher Jacki Romey, choir director Tina Niederbrach, drama teacher Mandy Taylor and band directors Tony Luzzi and Cindy Burrow moved into their new classrooms.

Romey teaches four levels of TV broadcasting and an electronic journalism class. Her students do a magazine-style showevery couple weeks, three weekly announcement shows and a Web site.

With the new facility, her students have access to a 2,000-square-foot suite that contains features like eight edit bays, sliding glass doors, full studio lights, a control room, classroom and 20 Macintosh computers. Romey said she now has twice the amount of space and classroom tools. Romey helped plan the suite and said she got what she asked for.

“It is just incredible,” Romey said. “I come in here every day, and I just sit down and say, ‘I can’t believe it.’ I’ve been teaching for 25 years and have never had facilities as good as this. I feel blessed and lucky.”

Romey said updated technology is important for her students, who will now be able tolearn in a real-life setting.

“All the stuff we have in here is industry standard,” Romey said. “My kids are getting experience here that they would get in the real world.”

This is Niederbrach’s 29th year to teach. She teaches music appreciation, music theory and four levels of choir. With the finished facility she’s gained a whole choir suite: a large choir room, two soundproof practice rooms and a classroom/ ensemble room. She said the new facility is an incredible improvement over what she had before.

“You can see it in all the students’ eyes, even the young ones (who never used the old facilities),” Niederbrach said. “They’re all so impressed. I think our facilities are better than half of the colleges around.”

Niederbrach is also excited about the auditorium, where the choir held its first performance during Sunday’s dedication. Their first concert in the facility will be in December.

“Performing in that area is going to be exciting,” Niederbrach said. “The sound carries so well.”

According to a district press release, Bob Keltner of Cromwell Architects Engineers led the architectural project. Baldwin and Shell Construction built the structure. Tony Curtis was project manager. Both companies have constructed and remodeled other buildings within the district: Searcy High School, Ahlf Junior High School, Southwest Middle School, McRae Elementary and Sidney Deener Elementary.

The center features visual art: a glass-tile lion mosaic and hanging sculpture called “Lion Legacy” by Hamid Ebrahimifar. The piece includes 2,000 student-made tiles.

- awidner@ arkansasonline.com

Three Rivers, Pages 53, 54 on 09/18/2008