Court filings concerning ODM report, ''Student Participation in Extracurricular Activities in the Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD)'', motion for approval of special election, PCSSD Middle School Project, and PCSSD motion to approve middle schools and revamped high schools

District Court, notice of filing, Office of Desegregation Management report, ''Student Participation in Extracurricular Activities in the Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD)''; District Court, motion for approval of special election; District Court, memorandum in support of motion to approve special election; District Court, supporting materials for forthcoming motion and brief on Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) Middle School Project; District Court, Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) motion to approve middle schools and revamped high schools; District Court, memorandum in support of Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) motion to approve middle schools and revamped high schools; District Court, two entries of appearance; District Court, notice of filing, Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) project management tool; District Court, notice of change of address and telephone number The transcript for this item was created using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and may contain some errors. I 1. i -I I I I I -I Iii I I I I FILED U.S. DISTRICT COURT .EASTERN DISTRICT ARKANSAS FEB O 2 2001 STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN EXTRACURRicu4~~1;~~ACK, CLERK . IN THE PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT DEP CLERK Ann S. Marshall Federal Monitor February 2, 2001 Office of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Little Rock, Arkansas Horace R. Smith Associate Monitor Polly Ramer Office Manager EDWARD L . WRIGHT (1003 - 1977) ROBERTS . LINDSEY (1013 1001) ISAAC A. SCOTT, JR . JOHN G. LILE GORDON S. RATHER, JR . TERRY L. MATHEWS DAVID M. POWELL ROGER A. GLASGOW C. DOUGLAS BUFORD, JR. PATRICK J . GOSS ALSTON JENNINGS, JR. JOHN R. TISDALE KATHLYN GRAVES M. SAMUEL JONES Ill JOHN WILLIAM SPIVEY Ill LEE J. MULDROW N.M. NORTON WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS LLP ATTORNEYS AT LAW aO WEST CAPITOL AVENUE SUITE 2200 RECEIVE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201-3699 (501) 371 - 0808 FAX (501) 376-9442 fE6 15 10m www . wlJ .com CHARLES C. PRICE OF COUNSEL CHARLES T. COLEMAN oct:lf'C.QC. ALSTON JENNINGS JAMES J, GLOVER rnu1. r RONALD A . MAY EDWIN L. LOWTHER, JR. II &lf\U'\lODI\IQ M. TOCO WOOD CHARLES L. SCHLUMBERGER ... ~~l11f\ll 11\\111 1\111 WALTER E. MAY ~IV GREGORY T. JONES Writer's Direct Dial No. 501-212-1273 H. KEITH MORRISON mjones@wlj .com BETTINA E. BROWNSTEIN WALTER McSPAODEN ROGER 0. ROWE JOHN O. DAVIS Mr. John Walker John Walker, P.A. 1723 Broadway Little Rock, Arkansas 72206 Ms. Ann Brown ODM February 14, 2001 Mr. Christopher Heller Friday, Eldredge & Clark 400 W. Capitol, Suite 2200 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Stephen W. Jones Jack, Lyon & Jones 3400 TCBY Tower JUDY SIMMONS HENRY KIMBERLY WOOD TUCKER RAY F. COX, JR. 00 TROY A. PRICE PATRICIA SIEVERS HARRIS JAMES M. MOODY, JR. KATHRYN A. PRYOR J. MARK DAVIS CLAIRE SHOWS HANCOCK KEVIN W. KENNEDY JERRY J. SALLINGS WILLIAM STUART JACKSON MICHAEL D. BARNES STEPHEN R. LANCASTER JUDY ROBINSON WILBER BETSY MEACHAM KYLE R. WILSON JENNIFER S. BROWN" C. TAD BOHANNON MICHELE SIMMONS ALLGOOD KRISTI M. MOODY J . CHARLES DOUGHERTY"" M. SEAN HATCH PHYLLIS M. McKENZIE ELISA MASTERSON WHITE JANE W. DUKE ROBERT W. GEORGE J . ANDREW VINES JUSTIN T. ALLEN CHRISTINE J. DAUGHER'l'.Y, Ph .D. Licensed only In Florida and Texas Licensed to prac/ice before the UnNed States Patent and Trademark Office Heritage West Building, Suite 510 201 East Markham Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 425 West Capitol Avenue Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Richard Roachell Roachell Law Firm 401 W. Capitol, Suite 504 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 RE: PCSSD Dear Counsel and Ms. Brown: Mr. Timothy Gauger Assistant Attorney General 323 Center Street, Suite 200 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Enclosed are copies of motion for approval of special election and memorandum in support which are being filed today. MSJ/ao Encls. 234632-v1 Cordially, ~T, LINDSEY & JENNINGS LLP ~a~u CELEBRATING 100 YEARS 1900-2000 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS WESTERN DIVISION LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT V. NO. LR-C-82-866 PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1, ET AL. MRS. LORENE JOSHUA, ET AL. KATHERINE KNIGHT, ET AL. MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF SPECIAL ELECTION The PCSSD for its motion, states: fEB 1 ~ no1 OffUJ:.]f lBIREGATiorunmm,11 PLAINTIFF DEFENDANTS INTERVENORS INTERVENORS 1. The PCSSD desires to conduct a special election on May 8, 2001. 2. The proposed election is for the purpose of placing before the voters for approval a millage increase sufficient to finance an ambitious program of school facility enhancement. 3. Exhibit "A" describes certain projects proposed for Phase I of this plan. - The proposed program is a result of the formal facilities study conducted by the District last year. 4. State law offers no impediment to the calling of this election as more fully explained in the accompanying memorandum. 5. This motion is presented to the Court for approval because of this Court's monitoring role regarding the financial affairs of the PCSSD. 232191-v1 WHEREFORE, the PCSSD prays for an order of this court approving the special election to be held on May 8, 2001. Respectfully submitted, WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS LLP 200 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 2200 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-3699 (501) 371-0808 FAX: (501) 376-9442 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE On February ~2001, a copy of the foregoing was served via U.S. mail on each r - of the following: Mr. John W. Walker John W. Walker, P.A. 1723 Broadway Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Christopher Heller Friday, Eldredge & Clark 2000 First Commercial Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Ms. Ann Brown ODM Heritage West Building, Suite 510 201 East Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Richard W. Roachell Roachell and Street First Federal Plaza 401 West Capitol, Suite 504 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 232191-v1 2 Mr. Timothy Gauger Assistant Attorney General 323 Center Street, Suite 200 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Stephen W. Jones 3400 TCBY Tower 425 West Capitol Avenue Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 232191-v1 3 J FEB-01-0J THU 04:36 PM FAX NO. l'lWPOSED BOND REFERENDUM SCOPE (PHASE 1) PULASKI COUNTY SCHOOLS ZON: I 0~1cs 1:lcmcnrary College S1olion l~kmcnr~ry Fuller Junior High (m~jor rcnov:ilion) Mills Univcrsi1y Studies High (major rcnovntion) ZONJ,;l NEW ELEMENTARY SCIIOOL (500) 13akcr l111e,,fatric1 Elcmcni:uy L:lndmark Elcmcnl.lry (major rcnnvnlir.,n) L:iw,011 Elcmcu!.lry (11uj,1r rcnova.lion) ItEPLACE ROil!NSON MIDDLE SCHOOL (SOO) Rnbu\SOII IIif:ll ZON~J C1ys1al I lill E.lemcnbl)' NEW MAUMELLE /\RE.A ELP.Ml!NTARY SCI-TOOi, (500) Pu1c Fores! Elcmcnlllry Oak Grove Elcrncnlllry (rcnovo1iun) llobiuson I::lcrncnl.lry NEW MJDDLTI SCHOOi, (S00) o~k Clmvi: J1111iur/Scnior 1-li,:h ZONE-4 Clinltln I::le111cn1ary Magncl Oakbl'ooke clcnic:uury (m~j11r ~-nnvarion) Slll'1'WOOJ Elcmculllry Sylvan llills ElcnicnLllry RI!PLACE SYLVAN llll.1.S MIDDLE SCHOOL Sylvan llilb Jligh (mnjor r1:nova1i0n) ZONES Arnold Drive Elcmcmruy Bayou Melo C'a10 r.lcmcntmy (rc11ov:11ion) DuprL'C F.lcmcnlary Tolkson F!h;mcnt:iiy Nnr1hwo11,l Junior High (1u.1jor renov:ilion) North Puh1.ski Hieh (major rcnov:itioo) ZONE6 Rl:.PLACF. JACKSONVlLU! fil.EMl!NTARY SCHOOL (600) Pinewood t::lcmcnt:iry Tuylor Rh:mcmn1y fockso11viUe Middle (shifl 1'> nuw u.c) RHl'LACB JACKSONVJLI.I! MIODJ.Fi SCHOOL (1,000) 1~c:ksonvillc lligb ZON7 REPLACI! HARRIS bl .f.MENTAR.Y SCHOOL (3S0) Adkins Elc111cnl:iry Soon ElcmcnWy (rcnuvlion) Alrcnotivc Leurnins Ccnwr lllST.N.ICT Admini,ir:11ion fluillliue Adull T..wrnin, C'cmcr /\11xiliary Scrvicc:s Moioltnancc / Warehouse 'rr;11s1,orlnti011 North Tr.in~pon.'lrlon Soull1 TOTAL I EXHIBIT It li<.:IIOOL TOTAL so S349,000 SS,411.000 $4,175,000 $6,900,000 $327,600 Sl,888,000 Sl,580,000 $11,300,078 $1,128,000 S49,000 S<i,900,000 $225,000 Sl ,352,000 $387,000 $11,300,078 $973,000 $206,000 S1,929,000 $876,000 $700,000 $11,300,078 S9,370,000 $978,000 $358,000 $1,254,000 5426,000 $518,000 54,076,300 $6,49),000 $8,530,000 $1,071,000 S546,000 Sl,086,000 S13,810,094 SJ,258,000 SS,S00,000 S706,000 5668,000 so so so $0 $0 $386,000 $230,000 SllG,Sl!l,228 P. 02 ZONE TOTAL $!>,9.lS,000 $23,123,678 521,186,078 S24,3:!l,078 $14,\02,300 S26,3ill,094 SG,874,000 SGlG,000 $126,519,228 FEfl-Ol~Oi THU 04:36 PM FAX NO. fulaski County Special School Distritl 2/1/01 P11!aski County Special School District will ask voters for 3dditiona1 millage at a special election to be held in lhe Spring of 2001. Revenues gcncntcd from the millage will be used lo finance the constructing and equipping of new school buildings and making additions ond improvemt.>nls to existin: facilities. These additions and improvements are a current necessity of the DistricL Sorne of the most critical repair work needed in thcst! facilities will be complctud with these funds. As wdl, new construction which will t.ikc pL'lcc in high-growth areas will help to meet the present demand of incrca.~cd student enrollment ln order to satisfy these current needs of the Dis!dct, it is ncccssal)' to hold a special election to :isk patrons for lht!iT support. P. 03 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS WESTERN DIVISION LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT V. NO. LR-C-82-866 PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1, ET AL. MRS. LORENE JOSHUA, ET AL. KATHERINE KNIGHT, ET AL. MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF MOTION TO APPROVE SPECIAL ELECTION PLAINTIFF DEFENDANTS INTERVENORS INTERVENORS This Court has had occasion to approve motions seeking to hold special elections several times during its involvement in this case. Most recently, this Court approved a special election in the Little Rock School District which was successful. During a time of dire financial circumstances, this Court approved a special election in the PCSSD which was held in 1992. The legislature has fundamentally changed the law since 1992. Under the old law, special elections were authorized only because of circumstances such as a natural catastrophe. Today, ACA 6-14-102 simply provides that: (d) The board of directors of any school district shall have the authority to request the county board of election commissioners to call a special election for the purpose of considering a rate of tax for additional millages for maintenance and operations or for debt service as authorized by Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 74, provided that: (1) All constitutional and statutory requirements for a special school election are met; and 232186-v1 (2) The date of the election is approved by the director. (Ark. Code Ann. 6-14-102(d)) The PCSSD desires to hold a special election on May 8, 2001, to place before the voters a proposed millage increase sufficient to commence an ambitious program of school facility improvements. Thus, the measure comports with the new provisions of 6-14-102(d). All other constitutional and statutory requirements for a special election will be met and it is anticipated that the Director of the Arkansas Department of Education will approve the date of the election. This motion is being submitted to this Court for approval because of this court's role in monitoring the financial affairs of the PCSSD. 232186-v1 Respectfully submitted, WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS LLP 200 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 2200 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-3699 (501) 371-0808 FAX: (501) 376-9442 2 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE On February 11, 2001, a copy of the foregoing was served via U.S. mail on each of the following: Mr. John W. Walker John W. Walker, P.A. 1723 Broadway Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Christopher Heller Friday, Eldredge & Clark 2000 First Commercial Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Ms. Ann Brown ODM Heritage West Building, Suite 510 201 East Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Richard W. Roachell Roachell and Street First Federal Plaza 401 West Capitol, Suite 504 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Timothy Gauger Assistant Attorney General 323 Center Street, Suite 200 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Stephen W. Jones 3400 TCBY Tower 425 West Capitol Avenue Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 232186-v1 3 EDWARD L. WRIGHT (1903-1977) ROBERTS . LINDSEY (1913-1991) ISAAC A. SCOTT, JR. JOHN G. LILE WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS LLP ATTORNEYS AT LAW JUDY SIMMONS HENRY KIMBERLY WOOD TUCKER RAY F. COX, JR. TROY A. PRICE GORDON S. RATHER, JR. TERRY L. MATHEWS DAVID M. POWELL ROGER A. GLASGOW C. DOUGLAS BUFORD , JR . PATRICK J. GOSS ALSTON JENNINGS , JR. JOHN R. TISDALE KATHLYN GRAVES M. SAMUEL JONES Ill JOHN WILLIAM SPIVEY Ill LEE J . MULDROW N.M. NORTON CHARLES C. PRICE CHARLES T. COLEMAN JAMES J. GLOVER EDWIN L. LOWTHER, JR. CHARLES L. SCHLUMBERGER WALTER E. MAY GREGORY T. JONES H. KEITH MORRISON BETTINA E. BROWNSTEIN WALTER McSPAOOEN ROGER 0 . ROWE JOHN 0 . DAVIS VIA HAND DELIVERY Ms. Ann Marshall ODM 200 WEST CAPITOL AVENUE SUITE 2200 LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201-3699 (501) 371-0808 FAX (501) 376-9442 www. wlj .com OF COUNSEL ALSTON JENNINGS RONALD A. MAY M. TODD WOOD Writer's Di rect Dial No. 501-212-1273 mjones@wlj .com February 15, 2001 Heritage West Building, Suite 510 201 East Markham Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 RE: PCSSD Middle School Project Dear Ann: PATRICIA SIEVERS HARRIS JAMES M. MOODY, JR. KATHRYN A. PRYOR J. MARK DAVIS CLAIRE SHOWS HANCOCK KEVIN W. KENNEDY JERRY J. SALLINGS WILLIAM STUART JACKSON MICHAEL D. BARNES STEPHEN R. LANCASTER JUDY ROBINSON WILBER BETSY MEACHAM KYLE R. WILSON JENNIFER S. BROWN* C. TAD BOHANNON MICHELE SIMMONS ALLGOOD KRISTI M. MOODY J . CHARLES DOUGHERTY-* M. SEAN HATCH PHYLLIS M. McKENZIE ELISA MASTERSON WHITE JANE W. DUKE ROBERT W. GEORGE J . ANDREW VINES JUSTIN T. ALLEN CHRISTINE J . DAUGHERTY, Ph .D. Licensed only in Florida and Texas Ucensed to practice before the Unffed States Patent and Trademark Offlce FEB l 6 20-l OfflCE OF DESEGREGATION MONiTORING I do not yet have a final approved version of the motion and brief I am submitting. However, I wanted to get the supporting materials to you today and ask that you flip through them. The main body of documents will be submitted with the motion and the first page is the PCSSD middle school curriculum course descriptions. That is followed, in chronological order, by the remaining documents I propose to submit directly to the Court. They cover the issues of student/parental involvement, teacher and staff training and frequently asked questions, parent surveys, parent meetings, athletics, and other topics. One of the notebooks I am submitting is the curriculum description for grades 6 through 12. I do not propose to submit that directly to the Court but will reference that it has been furnished to your office. The really thick notebook is the compilation of resource materials which the District has obtained, reviewed and relied upon through most of this process. It has been distributed to all buildings. Again, because of its size, I do not propose to submit it to Court but will reference that it has been furnished to your office. 234904-v1 CELEBRAT ING 100 YEARS 1900-2000 WR IGHT , LI N DSE Y & JENN INGS LLP February 15, 2001 Page 2 I will also furnish with the motion an additional copy of the Business Case and am submitting an additional one for your convenience. I should have mentioned that pages 001A through D are taken from the curriculum notebook and will be submitted to the Court. Please give me a call after you have had a chance to look some of this over as I need to get this motion filed. MSJ:ao Encls. Cordially yours, WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS LLP "--- amuel Jones, 111 CE LEBRATING 100 YEARS 1 900-2000 EDWARD L. WRIGHT (1903 1977) ROBERT S. LINO SEY (1913- 1991) ISAAC A. SCOTT . JR. JOHN G. LILE GORDON S. RATHER , JR. TERRY L. Mr .:WS DAVID M. P ROGER A. ( . W C. DOUGLAS ORO, JR . PATRICK J. GOSS ALSTON JENNINGS, JR. JOHN R. TISOALE KATHLYN GRAVES M. SAMUEL JONES Ill JOHN WILLIAM SPIVEY Ill LEE J. MULDROW N.M. NORTON CHARLES C. PRICE CHARLES T. COLEMAN . JAMES J. GLOVER EDWIN L. LOWTHER, JR. CHARLESL. SCHLUMBERGER WALTER E. MAY GREGORY T. JONES H. KEITH MORRISON BETTINA E. BROWNSTEIN WALTER McSPADOEN ROGER 0 . ROWE NANCY BELLHOUSE MAY WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS LLP ATTORNEYS AT LAW 200 WEST CAPITOL AVENUE SUITE 2200 LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201-3699 (501) 371-0808 FAX (501) 376-9H2 WEBSITE: www . wlj .com OF COUNSEL ALSTON JENNINGS RONALD A. MAY M. TODD WOOD Wrller's Dlrecl Olal No. 501-2121273 mjonesCwlj .com September 27, 2000 JOHN 0 . DAVIS JUDY SIMMONS HENRY KIMll!RLY WOOD TUCKER RAY F. COX. JR. TROY A. PRICE PATRICIA SIEVERS HARRIS JAMES M. MOODY, JR. KATHRYN A . PRYOR J. MARK DAVIS CLAIRE SHOWS HANCOCK "KEVIN W. KENNEDY JERRY J . SALLINGS WILLIAM STUART JACKSON MICHAEL 0 . BARNES STEPHEN R. LANCASTER JUDY ROBINSON WILBER BETSY MEACHAM KYLE R. WILSON JENNlfER S. BROWN" C. TAO BOHANNON MICHELE SIMMONS ALLGOOD KRISTI M. MOODY J . CHARLES DOUGHERTY"' M. SUN HATCH PHYLLIS M. McKENZIE ELISA MASTERSON WHITE JANE M. WEISENFELS ROBEIIT W. GEORGE J . ANDREW VINES JUSTIN T. ALLEN CHRISTINE J . DAUGHERTY, Ph.D. ' L.lcenad oni\t., Ronda Md Tuu 'f \ __ ,,. -,._,_.,,,,__,,,. __ i! -~\\ Vl':O r~ ~ , ., P_,. end T,_.,,..,. Offlce The Honorable Susan Webber Wright 600 West Capitol, Suite 302 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-3325 ~ ~ \~;_\1 ~ 0~t:-1"-~ UESEGl\r ;.,i~--- :\i:'-~ 1' r,h ,, Re: Little Rock School District v. Pulaski County Special School District; et al. USDC Docket No.: LR-C-82-866 Dear Judge Wright: As the Court is aware, the PCSSD has for many months been studying the adoption of a middle school configuration. I enclose a copy of a business case, which the District has developed, which explains the District's plans in this regard. By copy of this letter to counsel for all of the parties and to Ms. Brown, I am furnishing a copy of the business case to each. MSJ/ao cc: Ms. Ann Brown Mr. John Walker Mr. Christopher Heller Mr. Stephen W. Jones Mr. Timothy Gauger Dr. Gary Smith 206060-v1 CELEBRATING Cordially yours, WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS LLP :~ I Jor:;;11I 00 YEARS 1 9 0 0 - 2 0 0 0 Implementation of Middle Schools Pulaski County Special School District September 2000 Executive Summary: The Pulaski County Special School District (District) currently has 24 elementary schools, each encompassing grades kindergarten through six; one existing middle school, Jacksonville Middle School; and six junior high schools, each encompassing grades seven through nine. The six senior high schools . currently contain students in grades ten through twelve. Evidence from medical science, psychology, and other areas is beginning to show that middle school students are passing through a very special, very critical period of their lives. The change from childhood to adolescence, we now see, is a tremendously important time of life. It is also often a terribly difficult time. Children from age 10 through 15 must endure more changes than they will for the rest of their lives. The middle school has to be unique, but it must also be transitional. It has to lead from the elementary to the high school and still do something special in the middle. With this philosophy in mind, the District has explored the middle school concept as a means to address the specific needs of the students in grades six through eight. After discussions and workshops, the District's Board of Directors voted at its May 9, 2000, meeting to approve a district-wide conversion to middle schools, effective for the 2001-2002 school year. The Board also stipulated that the Oak Grove Junior/Senior High School not be converted that year, though its staff would be trained along with other district personnel. The Board wanted to allow for the construction and opening of a new facility in this attendance area, as referenced in the District's current desegregation plan. A letter to the District's counsel was sent on May 25, 2000, asking him to file the appropriate documentation with the court. (See attached). . Staff estimated that costs for staff development, expanded student services, transportation and facility remodeling would total $1,111,428. (This accounting excludes the cost of construction of a new building in the Crystal Hill area). The Board believes that implementing the middle school concept in the District will create an academic and social environment that is developmentally appropriate for these adolescents and will promote achievement, improved student behavior, and more co-curricular activities for students. Background: I The implementation of the middle school concept will not change student as nments, only the configuration cif the existing junior and senior high schools. Oak Grove Junior/Senior High School will be the exception. Toward this end, the District contracted a general evaluation of all of its schools. This facilities study provides the Board with a blueprint of construction needs. At this time, the District anticipates that the conversion to middle schools can be accomplished by converting the existing junior high facilities to middle school campuses and sending ninth grade students to the senior high school facilities. * Existing facilities have been examined for this movement of students. Two sites would need renovation to accomplish the conversion: Robinson High School will require classroom space conversion and renovation. Mills University Studies High School will need additional cafeteria space and a new media center. Problem Statement: Implementing the middle school concept to provide developmentally appropriate environments for the success of adolescents is recommended. The recommendation, if approved, would be implemented in the 2001-2002 school year, with the exception of Oak Grove Junior/ Senior High School. The middle school concept will promote the District's objective tci raise student achievement and improve student discipline by establishing appropriate and effective learning environments for adolescent youth. Alternatives: The alternative to this recommendation is to keep the current grade configuration the same. However, the District strongly believes that the middle school concept provides needed academic, social and developmental advantages for students. Action Recommended: By its vote on May 9, 2000, the Board of Directors approved a district-wide conversion to middle schools, to become effective for the 2001-2002 school year. The Board also renewed its support for construction of a new middle school/junior high school facility in the Crystal Hill area, as is referenced in the District's desegregation plan. With the hope that this construction is allowed to go forward, the Board chose to delay the conversion of Oak Grove Junior/Senior High School to the middle school concept. Staff members prepared tentative recommendations for the Board to illustrate plans for. the middle school conversion. These recommendations included an examination of facility capacity, expanded student-services, proposed curriculum and extracurricular offerings, parent and com~unity involvement, and district-wide professional development. Once the Board authorized the middle school concept, staff and community members have coAiued to work in committees to address these specific issues. Plans have alsffl>een developed for continuing parent and teacher input in the process. Objectives: The implementation of middle schools works to support the District's overall goals. Foremost, the creation of effective learning environments for the students in grades six through eight will support the District's goal of raising student achievement and successfully raising expectations. Students in sixth grade will have intensive use of technology and more opportunities to participate in co-curricular activities than is available in elementary schools. Ninth graders will enjoy increased opportunity for advanced academic pursuits and extracurricular activities._ The conversion to middle school focuses the District's current use of facilities and resources to ensure that equitable opportunity is available to all its students. Impact: The creation of developmentally appropriate environments will improve discipline, enhance student achievement and increase the chance for success for these students. As sixth graders move to the middle school campuses, openings will be created in the elementary schools. This additional space will allow for additional pre-K classes, after-school programs, and increased recruitment opportunities within the District. Expansion costs at the elementary level will be reduced by this configuration. Ninth grade students will benefit from the challenge of high school classes, increased curriculum opportunities and extracurricular activities. Resources: The conversion to middle schools can be accomplished with few facility changes. Robinson High School and Mills University Studies High School have been identified as the only buildings needing immediate renovations. These costs are estimated to be $1 ,019,800. Costs for expanding students services, which include media, student-teacher advisory, counseling, health services, and transportation for extracurricular activities, is estimated to be $82,078. Professional development has been designed for district-wide education, as well as targeted needs for teachers and staff. Parents will be surveyed to identify needs, concerns, and expectations. Focus groups will be held at the local campuses to identify teacher and staff questions, concerns, and needs. Data from the focus groups and parent surveys will allow input from our internal and external publics into the planning and implementation process of middle schools. -Plan-forlmpi-ementatio1~------------------------- fj The Pulaski Co-unty Special School District will make the facility renovations required to accommodate a middle school conversion. The committee work done to date will be refined, and resulting plans will be implemented. Upon the opening of school in 2001-2002, students in grades six through eight will attend the middle school, and ninth grade students will attend the high school in their attendance area. PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT May 25, 2000 Mr. Sam Jones Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP 200 West Capitol Avenue Suite 2200 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Dear Sam: . 925 East Dixon Road/P.O. Box 8601 Litt le Rock, Arkansas 72216 (501) 490-2000 The Board of Directors has approved the District's plan to adopt the middle school model, to become effective District-wide for the 2001-2002 school year. We need you to contact the court and file the appropriate documentation on our behalf as soon as is possible. In general, the plan will not change student assignments, only the configuration of the existing junior high schools and the senior high schools. We are confident that the adoption of middle schools will improve the delivery of services to this age group and will provide improvement in student achievement. ' Enclosed .;:ire the minutes. from the Board meeting, as well as information from the staff presentation. Please contact me if you need any other documentation or information. Sincerely, Theresa Wallent Director, Legal & Community Affairs . /tnw Encl. I I I I I I I I Ill I I I I I I ,I I RECEIVED' FEB 16 2001 , OFFICE Of DESEGREGATION MOiroRING PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM 2001-2002 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS GRADES 6-8 001a . . . EDWARD L. WRIGHT I 1003- 1"77) ROBERTS. LINDSEY I 1913- 1991) ISAAC A. SCOTT, JR. JOHN G. LILE GORDON S. RATHER, JR. TERRY L. MATHEWS DAVID M. POWELL ROGER A. GLASGOW C. DOUGLAS BUFORD, JR. PATRICK J . GOSS ALSTON JENNINGS, JR. JOHN R. TISDALE KATHLYN GRAVES M. SAMUEL JONES Ill JOHN WILLIAM SPIVEY Ill LEE J . MULDROW N.M. NORTON WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS LLP ATTORNEYS AT LAW 200 WEST CAPITOL AVENUE SUITE 2200 LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201-3699 (501) 371-0808 FAX (501) 376-9442 JUDY SIMMONS HENRY KIMBERLY WOOD TUCKER RAY F. COX, JR. TROY A. PRICE PATRICIA SIEVERS HARRIS JAMES M. MOODY, JR. KATHRYN A . PRYOR J. MARK DAVIS CLAIRE SHOWS HANCOCK KEVIN W. KENNEDY JERRY J . SALLINGS WILLIAM STUART JACKSON MICHAEL D. BARNES STEPHEN R. LANCASTER JUDY ROBINSON WILBER BETSY MEACHAM KYLE R. WILSON JENNIFER S. BROWN C. TAD BOHANNON JgA~M:E=S~ J::. GfLO ~V~E~Ri ~AN REC<., EIVED EDWIN L. LOWTHER, JR. CHARLES L. SCHLUMBERGER www .wlj .com OF COUNSEL ALSTON JENNINGS RONALD A . MAY M. TODD WOOD MICHELE SIMMONS ALLGOOD KRISTI M. MOODY J . CHARLES DOUGHERTY .. M. SEAN HATCH PHYLLIS M. McKENZIE ELISA MASTERSON WHITE JANE W. DUKE WALTER E. MAY GREGORY T. JONES H. KEITH MORRISON BETTINA E. BROWNSTEIN WALTER McSPAODEN ROGER 0 . ROWE FEB 2 0 2001 Writer's Direct Dial No. 501-212-1273 mJones@wlJ .com ROBERT W. GEORGE J . ANDREW VINES JUSTIN T. ALLEN CHRISTINE J, DAUGHERTY, Ph.D. JOHN 0 . DAVIS OfFICE OF February 16, 2001 Licensed only in Florida and Texas - Licensed to practice before the Un#ed Stales Patent and Trademarl< Office DESEGREGATION MONITORING Mr. John Walker John Walker, P.A. 1723 Broadway Little Rock, Arkansas 72206 Ms. Ann Brown ODM Heritage West Building, Suite 510 201 East Markham Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Richard Roachell Roachell Law Firm 401 W. Capitol, Suite 504 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 RE: PCSSD Dear Counsel and Ms. Brown: Mr. Christopher Heller Friday, Eldredge & Clark 400 W. Capitol, Suite 2200 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Stephen W. Jones Jack, Lyon & Jones 3400 TCBY Tower 425 West Capitol Avenue Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Brian Brooks Assistant Attorney General 323 Center Street, Suite 200 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 RECEIVED FEB 2 O 7nn1 ftWCEOF ~ -1{6 Enclosed are copies of PCSSD motion to approve middle schools and revamped high schools and memorandum in support which are being filed today. MSJ/ao Encls. 235155-v1 Cordially, WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS LLP CELEBRATING 100 YEARS 1 9 0 0 2 0 0 0 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS WESTERN DIVISION LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT V. NO. LR-C-82-866 PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL BE~ . ij\l\!e() DISTRICT NO. 1, ET AL. nS."' ii W ~ MRS. LORENE JOSHUA, ET AL. KATHERINE KNIGHT, ET AL. FEB t fr 7nm ifflCEOf -lGREGATIOti MON\lORHIG PCSSD MOTION TO APPROVE MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND REVAMPED HIGH SCHOOLS The PCSSD for its motion, states: PLAINTIFF DEFENDANTS INTERVENORS INTERVENORS 1. This Court approved a middle school plan for the LRSD as part of the LRSD's Revised Desegregation and Education Plan. 2. On September 27, 2000, the PCSSD submitted its comprehensive Business Case to this Court, the ODM and the other parties in this case, which Business Case is attached hereto as Exhibit "A". 3. During the spring of 2000 and commencing to this day, the PCSSD has proceeded carefully and thoughtfully toward this proposed conversion. Submitted with this motion is a comprehensive bound set of materials which are arranged chronologically and which have been numbered for the convenience of the Court. 4. These materials, other documents and highlights of the District's efforts since this planning effort began are included within this submission. 234946-v1 5. All of the foregoing matters are more thoroughly explained in the accompanying memorandum. WHEREFORE, the PCSSD requests that this Court lend its approval to the District's plan to establish middle schools and high schools for grades 9 through 12. 234946-v1 Respectfully submitted, WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS LLP 200 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 2200 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-3699 (501) 371-0808 FAX: (501) 376-9442 2 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE On February fl,, 2001, a copy of the foregoing was served via U.S. mail on each of the following: Mr. John W. Walker John W. Walker, P.A. 1723 Broadway Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Christopher Heller Friday, Eldredge & Clark 2000 First Commercial Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Ms. Ann Brown ODM Heritage West Building, Suite 510 201 East Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Richard W. Roachell Roachell and Street First Federal Plaza 401 West Capitol, Suite 504 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Brian Brooks Assistant Attorney General 323 Center Street, Suite 200 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Mr. Stephen W. Jones 3400 TCBY Tower 425 West Capitol Avenue Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 234946-v1 3 EDWARD L. WAIGHl C,903-1177) IIOHRT S. LINDSEY (1113-1911) ISAAC A. SCOTT . JII. JOHN G. LIL GOIIDON S. RHHEII. JII. lRRY L. M~ .'NS DAVID M. P A OGE A A.<. OW C. DOUG LA> 0110. JII. PATRICK J. GOSS ALSTON JENNINGS, JR. JOHN R. TISDALE KATHLYN GRAVES M. SAMUEL JONES Ill JOHN WILLI .. M SPIVEY 111 LEE J. MULDROW N.M. NORTON CHARLES C. PIIICE CH .. RLES T. COLEMAN , ~~~~= t: ~~~~~~R, JR. CH,.RLEIL. SCHLUMBEIIGER WALTER E, MAY GIIEGORY T. JONES H. KEITH UORIIISOII HTTINA l . BROWNSTEIN WAL TEA McSP,.DDEII ROGER D. ROWE N,_NCY BELLHOUSE M .. Y WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS LLP ATTORNEYS AT LAW 200 WEST CAPITOL AVENUE SUITE 2200 LITTLE ROCK. ARKA