For a while, it seemed like the majority of progress being made on construction at Russellville High School involved dirt. Now workers are past that stage and progress is becoming more evident.

“I’m really not sure who is more excited, me or the students,” said Russellville City Schools Superintendent Heath Grimes. “We have a lot of excitement going on around that area, that is for sure.”

RHS Principal Jason Goodwin said early construction involved bringing in dirt and working on the drainage, but now the foundation is being poured and the structure is taking shape.

“The students are able to see the progress every day when they walk out to the cafeteria, and that is what a lot of the conversations revolve around –  the work that is being done,” Goodwin said. “A lot of them are looking at the progress and getting really excited about it.”

Goodwin said updated plans picturing the completed building have been posted in the current high school halls, which has intensified the level of excitement.

“They are able to see the end product and imagine how things are going to look a year from now,” Goodwin said.

Grimes said once the foundation of the building is complete, the rest of construction will seem to move quicker.

“Right now we are able to see progress with the foundation being completed, but I think in a few weeks you are really going to start being able to see how much progress is being made as things start going up,” Grimes said.

The new high school building is expected to be completed by December 2021 and open in January 2022.

The new building will connect the library and cafeteria and house the main office, special education department, EL teachers and the new science facilities.

The new building will be two stories and stand 40 feet tall to provide a grand entrance to campus.

Construction of the new high school building is part of a two-phase plan, with the second part including revamping the Career Tech Department.

“We are very excited about everything that is happening here,” Grimes said, “and we are excited to see things continue.”