B5032302 Date: March 23, 1995 To: Fred Smith From: Bill Mooney Subject: Finance Analysis Model We both know that the financial situation of the district makes sound decision-making critical to the future. .As resources become increasingly strained, decision-makers operate with less margin for error. The chance of making a good decision is increased by having useful information readily available. The main purpose of the Program Budget Document is to link program accomplishments with program expenditures so we would have better information to guide the district. We must always seek better ways of collecting data and analyzing it into useful information. One of the better ways might be the Finance Analysis Model. I want to share the attached pamphlet with you, and get your thoughts into further investigation of this model. Since the model is PC-based, it could probably run in our existing environment. Such a tool might assist the administration. Board, and community in making better decisions. The model has something of a history around Little Rock. Last year, Ann Brown and I encouraged Gene Wilhoit to look into using the models forerunner, the Micro-Finance Model, statewide. Additionally, one of the authors of the model, Sheree Speakman, was the lead person on the Coopers & Lybrand study conducted for the district. I would bet she used some of her experience from that project as material for the model. Please read the pamphlet, then let me know what you think. I will be glad to help you in any way I can. Copy to: Ann Brown Hank Williams*! fu*:
APR 1 0 1995 Officu cf IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS . WESTERN DIVISION r AnAiAriSAo 95iPR-5 PM t*: L3 LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT 8Y. PLAINTIFF Ot^LST
lRa V. LR-C-82-866 PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1, ET AL DEFENDANTS MRS. LORENE JOSHUA, ET AL INTERVENORS KATHERINE KNIGHT, ET AL INTERVENORS MOTION TO EXCUSE BOARD MEMBER FROM HEARING For its motion, the Little Rock School District (LRSD) states: 1. The court has scheduled hearings in this case for April 10, 1995 and June 8-9, 1995. The members of the Little Rock School District Board of Directors are required to attend the hearings. 2. LRSD board member John Riggs has previously made I arrangements to host a trade association meeting on April 10, 1995 and to attend a National Security Seminar in Pennsylvania during the week of June 5-9, 1995. Documents reflecting these commitments are attached. LRSD requests that Mr. Riggs . b^ excused fr ths hearings. Mr. Riggs understands that he may be required to attend review sessions. WHEREFORE, for the foregoing reasons, LRSD requests that board member John Riggs be excused from the court's order which requires his attendance April 10, 1995 and June 8-9, 1995. Respectfully submitted. LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICTFRIDAY, ELDREDGE & CLARK 2000 First Commercial Bldg. 400 West Capitol Street Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 376-2011 B Christopher He Bar No. 81083 er CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I certify that a copy of the foregoing Motion to Excuse has been served on the following on this 6th day of April, 1995: Mr. John Walker JOHN WALKER, P.A. 1723 Broadway Little Rock, AR 72206 Mr. Sam Jones WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS 2200 Worthen Bank Bldg. 200 West Capitol Little Rock, AR 72201 Mr. Steve Jones JACK, LYON & JONES, P.A. 3400 Capitol Towers Capitol & Broadway Streets Little Rock, AR 72201 Mr. Richard Roachell Roachell and Streett 401 West Capitol, Suite 504 Little Rock, AR 72201 Ms. Ann Brown Desegregation Monitor 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Little Rock, AR 72201 Ms. Elizabeth Boyter Arkansas Dept, of Education 4 State Capitol Mall Little Rock, AR 72201-1071 opher Heller c 2 APR-03-1995 11 = 55 FROn RIGGS ENG I Nt Di'-'. I u 50 f ^1595 x?SPRINGS!^ SOUTHEASTERN CATERPILLAR DEALERS PRODUCT SUPPORT ASSOCIATION March 31, 1995 PO BOX 1399 LITTLE ROCK. AR 72203 (501) 570-3100 J. A. Riggs Tractor Company Mr. John Riggs IV P. 0. Box 1399 Little Rock. AR 72203 Dear Mr. Riggs
J. A. Riggs Tractor Company is pleased to be hosting the 1995 Southeastern Caterpillar Dealers Product Support Association Meeting. This meeting is being held in Hot Springs, Arkansas beginning Sunday evening, April 9th and ending at noon on Tuesday, April 11th. You have been pre-registered for this meeting. Hotel reservations have been made for you, for Sunday night 4/9 and Mondiy-^/lO. The meeting will conclude Tuesday at noon. Please plan to be in Little Rock by 9:30 a.m. on Sunday at our store. We have a total of 120 people involved in this meeting and will require assistance from all Riggs personnel. We will have someone in charge of various responsibilities, transporting personnel from the Airport to Hot Springs, transporting personnel to the various activities and etc. You may be notified prior to the Sunday meeting for any assistance or assignment of responsibilities. If you are interested in attending the horse races at Oaklawn, contact Keith Riggs ASAP at extension 3536. Advance arrangements must be made. Wc want to be a good host and make our counterparts stay in our great state a pleasant experience. I know wc can count on you for whatever assistance is needed. We have an excellent meeting planned and should be very informative. See you Sunday morning April 9. Sincerely, PRESIDENT John Bennett I.A. Kisgs Ttjuoi Co. VICE PRESIDENT Sob McCarthy Stowers Mjirhinery Corp. John Bennett President Southeastern Caterpillar Dealer Product Support Association secretary/ TREASURER Bill Gregory Ubnehdrd Machinery Co. Winning Combinations 1x^00 TKun KlUUO ClNuiHC. Vi I u 30 fo^x^ r r. RfiPLVTO ATTeNTIONOF DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY UNITEO STATES ARMY WAR COLLEGE CARLISLE BARRACKS, PENNSYLVANIA 17013-5050 March 9, 1995 (if 50* B Iq '^1 Office of the Commandant Mr. John A. Riggs, IV 3600 Foxcroft Little Rock, Arkansas 72207 Dear T4r. Riggs: We are delighted to invite you to participate in the 41st Annual National Security Seminar at the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, from June 5-9, 1995. Each year we cap our academic program by inviting leading citizens from throughout the United States to discuss national security issues with our students in a week-long seminar. The focus for these discussions is provided by four nationally prominent speakers who will address international, domestic, defense, and economic/environmental issues as they relate to the welfare and security of the United States. The enclosed Prospectus outlines the objectives and organization of the Seminar and provides basic information on our College, its students, and the faculty. Briefly, the purpose of the Anny War College is to prepare a select group of officers to assume positions of great responsibility in the Army and throughout the defense community. A major portion of this preparation focuses on developing a deeper understanding of the society they serve, and the interests, issues, and trends that influence the formulation of national security policy. Over the years, the National Security Seminar has been an outstanding academic exercise. The participation of leading citizens from across the country has made that possible. You will be our guest ft^r die period of tlie National Security Seminar. You will have a student escort and we will provide all meals, lodging, and transportation at the Seminar site. Unfortunately, we are not able to pay for your travel to and from Carlisle. You may obtain additional information on these arrangements by writing to us at the above address, or calling the National Security Seminar Office at 717/245-3321. Pnmed onRecycietf Papv . RPR-03-1995 11 = 56 FROM RIGGS ENGlNt Diti. 30 rox.x< I I u -2- We have enclosed several forms which we ask you to complete. The first is a postcard acknowledging your commitment to attend. Please respond by the date indicated. If you are able to join us in June, we also ask that you complete a biographical form (Mail or FAX-717/245-3530) so that our students and other guests will know who you are. We will consider the returned biographical form as consent to maintain your name on the National Security Seminar Guest List file. Applicable Privacy Act data arc on the reverse of that form. We hope you will be able to join us. Il is important to our Army that our students have an opportunity to know your views on issues that impact on the welfare and security of our country. They need to understand your priorities and concerns. While we are not unmindful of the travel costs, you will find the Seminar very interesting and Carlisle Barracks and south-central Pennsylvania strikingly beautiful in June. Please join us for the experience. Sinccrely, Richard A. Ctiilcoat Major General, U.S. Anny Conunandant Enclosures i TOTAL P.04FILED COURT eastern district ARKANSAS IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS WESTERN DIVISION AP 7 1995 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 W. KNIGHT, ET AL. ORDER JAMESjy^^RMACK CLERK -a PLAINTIFF DEFENDANTS INTERVENORS INTERVENORS Before the Court is a motion to excuse John Riggs, a member of the Little Rock School District Board of Directors, from the budget hearings scheduled for April 10, 1995 and June 8-9, 1995. For good cause, the motion is granted. so ORDERED this 'day of April 1995. TRICT/JJUUDD(GE 7^ !_ _ c docket sneer in RULE 58 ANOOR 79(aj SJi.' a 2 3 9 7 ( /rye</ LRSD SUPTS OFFICE 718 P01 AUG 10 95 15:54 Little Rock School District 810 WEST MARKHAM STREET LnTLEROCK,AR 72201 r SUPERINTENDENTS OFFICE FAX (501) 324-2146 I 1. DATE TO /a '3xZ4 3s "1] FROM SENDERS PHONE # SUBJECT SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: /U , < No. of pages (including cover page) Fax Phone No. 3*7/"^ Speed Dial 1 1^' -Ui LPSD SLPTS OFFICE 718 P07 AUG 10 35 15:56 I ?5r COMSli^eD^TATeM^NT OFsRVtflU$^lxF^NDITVRfeS ANO IN ^UNJ V X X '%X- >* '> POATrtePEH'lo6sN0e0jDNe,3S J^ANPta^S IN ^UND SALANCE xf.-ZS>X:XjxSx*^x*-.
. ,. --xftwx - V
APPROVED I RECEIPTS 1993/94 06/30/94 COLLECTED iREVENUE-LOCAL SOURCES CURRENTTAXES DELINQUENT TAXES 40% PULLBACK___________ EXCESS TREASURER S FEE 41,027,982 4,502,692 21,420,949 145,eo x<x DRAFT 7 1994/95 * RECEIPTS 'S8',5S- ! . 1 06/30/95 COLLECTED ! DEPOSITORY INTEREST !~revenue in lieu of taxes i MISCELLANEOUS AND RENTS INTEREST ON INVESTMENTS ATHLETIC RECEIPTS Bl 3-X-X Si
rii REVENUE - COUNTY SOURCES COUNTY general SEVERANCE TAX roii'
a:a ( h 303,000 245,162 484,050 350,000 102,874 73,419 is.OOO REVENUE - STATE SOURCES MFPA SETTLEMENT PROCEEDS 25,350,138 8,094,112 i SETTLEMENT LOAN I VOCATIONAL________________ ! HANDICAPPED CHILDREN iORPHAN CHILDREN________ J^RLY CHILDHOOD transportation INCENTIVE FUNDS - M TO M ADULT EDUCATION ____ COMPENSATORY EDUCATION SUMMER SCHOOL__________ WORKER S COMPENSATION r is 'X^s'^s i REVENUE - OTHER SOURCES ^PUBLIC LAW 874 [^TRANSFER FROM OTHER FUND i TRANSFER FROM BOND ACCT ITRANSFER FROM MAGNET FUN P REVENUE - OTHER FEDERAL GRANTS i MAGNET SCHOOLS 1.341,887 1,210.000 ' 3,540 240,873 ' 2,700,000 2,883,425 ' 768,715 575,435 j 40,000 1,250,000 500,000 6,l88,199j
13,930.088 ' i 39,625,387 5,666,289 22,011,928 146,379 333,970 182,353 194,465 265.622 74,416 96.58% 125.84% 102.76% 100.47% 110.22% 74.38% 40.17% 75.89% 72.34% 38,600,327 4,802,692 21,420,949 145,000 325,000 180,000 220,892 322,232 ' 102,005 40,330,355 5,030,840 ' 22,372,541 I 154,473! 5^345 'l57.38s' 280.904 I------ 104 48% 104.75% 104 44% 106.53% 162.21 3 !6%x 14^ 87.449 127.17% 487,906 115,^4J 151,41% 113.6736 T fog<gs.% I I 73,210 99.72%i 98.6'l%t 7^419 108,747 18,000 20,299 ! 148.12%! 1 24,710,980 8.094,112 1,382,418 1.282.804 3,198 263,992 3,553,095 2,720,581 792,081 517,260 29,969 1.228,696 6,262.966 13.301,449 97.48% 26.162,235 100.00% 103.02% 106.02% 90.34% 109.60% 131.60% 94.35% 103.04%' 89.89% 6,042,591 1,600,000 ' 1,320,000 1,344 499 3,198 } 233,992 [ 3,700,000 ! 3,100,000 I 797,893 580,435 367,319 26,499,961 6.042,591
101.29%! 100.00% -------------------- 1,141,688 !__ 1,379,7O4T e,984~l' 233.992 3,786.987 2,831,743 811,822 565,922 428,361 528,051 iissL 86 49% 102,62% 218.39% 100.00% 102 35% 91.35% 101.75% 97.5094 143.76% 74.92%l QU 'anZtT 98.30%! 60.699 + 38.000 500,000 900,000 716.116 23.773 I 511,,561 I t 67.82% 102.31% 735,687 102.7$% jS?,10% 1O1.21! 95.15% -ii 6.107,922 I 6.406.502 14.236,l^ 13,542,343 340 104.89% 95.12%i -.5I sa r. LOCAL COUNTY STATE OTHER TOTAL INCOME BEGINNING BALANCE BUDGETTOTAL EXPENCHTLIRra SALARIES 1 EMPLOYEE benefits ' PURCHASED SERVICES f MATERIALS & SUPPLIES CAPITAL OUTLAY "__ ' OTHER objects' DEBT SERVICE TOTAL EXPENDITUBES FUND BALANCE CONTINGENCY UNDESIGNATED ENDING BALANCE BUDGET TOTAL a LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT GENERAL FUNO BUDGET SUMMARY FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 euo^
66,119,097 91,419 45,252,162 2,154,116 113,616,794 4,164.563 117.SO1.157 APPROVED: 73.341,379 10,338,688 13,170,903' 3,273.118 2,644.992 5,504,406 6,533,631' 116,607,317 _____JO 993,840 993,840 117.801,167 69.457,703 129,046 44.257,796 1.273,021 115,117,566 kslj u FORECASTED
sJRqjEQTW IN(X)M& 69,457.703 _____ 129,046' 44,257.796 _____1,273.021 115.117,'56 pfiOitEijrgp 3,338,606 37,627 (994,366) (831,095) 1,600,772 T) in in ' DISBURSEMENT 74,328,796 10,127.412* 12,285,606 3,200,799 1,934,494 5,592.513 ___ 8,647.933 116,117,553 EH^MBEiANCe FOH^STEO PROJECTED mjieetiaj (T) C-i n n o EXreNawREs tfAX^ 74,326,796 10,127,412 " 12,285,606 3,200,799 1,934,494 5,592.513 8,647.933 116,117.553 (937,417) 211,476 885.297 72.319 710,498 ' (88,107) (114,302) 689,764 _______0 3,194,376 3,184,376 -J m n o w g 1 <s iX' JI cn in cn IW!JIU!L,,?<2222^ LRSD SUPT'S OFFICE 71R P04 AUG 10 95 15:57 ^ww.w^trOjsTRici^ :ae,y.x*v.>..x-,v.UA&b>xSt ^xyy.xx-
<*** ?* FORTHePERWSeNOCOJUNeao 1994AJ^OT996 f * -a '' x*'-i.-* 0^ S* __________________________________________________.:....,,_________ Expenses SALARIES_____________ BENEFITS_____________ PURCHASED SERVICES MATERIALS 4 SUPPLIES CAPITAL OUTLAY i OTHER OBJECTS DEBT SERVICE CONTINGENCY iAPPROVED 1993/94 06/30/94 S!?*"!-
76,127,991 9,240,239 10,855.851 I 4,596,277 j 1,606,2^ 5.258,186 I 8.870,123 1,000,000 I GOtLEG^FEG*
75,079,647 9,305,313 I 11,369,363 i 3,420,371 1,704,608 4,537,917 8,903,285 'W'WT' DRAFT 7 1994/95 06/30/95 % m
I .,.49o:j8^ I EXPENSES-OTHER FEDERAL GRANTS MAGNET SCHOOLS ~T 7,074.106 >*/(+ < 13.980,088 6,687,447 13,301,449 98.62% 100.70% 104.73% 74.42% 106.1 f 2%^ 86.30% 100.37% T ---------------------1-------------------------J. 73,341,379
74,328,796' 10,338,888 r 10,127,412
101.36% t 13,170,903 ! 12,285,606 3,273,118 2,644,992 5,504,406 8,533,631 3,200,799 1,934,494 5,592.513 + 97.95% 93.28% 97 79^ 73.14%) 101.60%! 8,647,933 1 t 101.34% 94.53% 8,711,620 35.15% 14.236.418 6,552,303 13,542,343 97.63% 95.12% 95:?^ INCREASE (DECREASE) IN FUND BALANCE i (4,234,335) I (1,225,306) (3,794,221) IBEGINNING FUND BALANCE I I {1,145,788)1 I L I FEDERAL OPERATING I t 964,951 4,109,970
r 1,034,369 4,985,188 609,068 4,184,363 609,888 4,184,363 I ENDING FUND BALANCE FEDERAL OPERATING I i 79,044 i * 761,542 I SSi -w *45^:1 609,888 4,184,363 isjssiisss 5,370 993,840 t 'ms y 5S*' 464,087 3,184,376 ILRSD SUPTS OFFICE 718 P05 AUG 10 95 15:56 PROJECT BEG BALANCE 07-01-94 MUOFt BOND ISSUS PLANT SERVICES SUBTOTAL 32,467.82 32,467.82 F7,64Ct,(700 BOND ISSUC CONTINGENCY SUBTOTAL 3,631.66 3,631.66 LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND ACCOUNT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30,1995 INCOME 1994-95 TRANSFERS 1994-96 EXPENDITURES 1994-95 ENCUMBRANCES 1994-95 ENO BALANCE 06-30-96 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 32,467.82 32,467.82 0 00 0.00 0.00 3,631.66 3,631.66 0.00 0.00 0.00 I I iS, 1S4.100 BQNO issue. KING FACILITIES STUBY CHICOT CONTINGENCY soarowz fl6,900.000 BOND ISSUE CENTRAL METROPOLITAN BOOKER DUNBAR FAIR PULASKI HGTS SOUTHWEST ALT LEARNING CENTE BRADY BADGETT BASELINE FAIR PARK WESTERN HILLS DODD PULASKI HGTS El EM OTTER CREEK WAKEFIELD WATSON EAST SIDE FRANKLIN STEPHENS MITCHELL CLOVERDALE ELEM WILSON CONTINGENCY , SUBTOTAL tis. 100,000 BOND issue BALE BASELINE BRADY CHICOT DODO FOREST HEIGHTS FOREST PARK 0188$ 469,839.22 37,154.41 506,993.63 729,98 10,541.35 203.26 10,279.42 12,610.03 4,370.30 381,618.93 19,680.93 6,160 02 3,569.07 11.684 73 28,352.62 9.876 16 2.514.28 19,040.60 3,625.09 47,812.10 17X22.54 68.082.96 472.32 3,370,631.05 1,998.17 0.00 0.00 294,135.83 4,325,311,73 24,976.69 11,086.46 10.306.60 235,777.43 48.184.93 25,872.19 27,640.62 0.00 0.00 0.00 (460,373.60) 242,000.00 150,000.00 68,373.60 0.00 24.894,99 (10,541.35) 9,101.79 (4.286.49) (12,194.57) (4,370.30) 453.08 1393.99! 1,131.61 (8,179.73) (13,648.52) (9.876.16) (2,514.28) 41.870.63 (3,625.09) (46,625.07) (7,152.01) 43.286 28 38,941.26 11,497.50 2,287.03 (51.136.61) 0.00 3.914.54 (8.536.80) 15.864.29) 66,146.49 134,127.81 (5.320,78) 730.14 53.684.00 61,080.00 114,764.00 10,368.03 9.305.04 5.992.93 108,763.17 20,034,01 6,766.03 4,700.68 3,505.00 14,704.10 21.695.25 2,287.03 7,983.50 20,644.10 348,321.32 40.939.43 11,497.50 2,287.03 638,694.15 8,070.67 3,427.86 1,770.00 206,984 91 83,331,42 (16,000.00) 22.319.84 730.14 0.00 0.00 9 466.72 188.316.00 150,000.00 44.447.91 392,229.63 15,256 84 0,00 0.00 0.00 415.46 0.00 272,855.76 0.00 0.00 000 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 39,216.88 0.00 0.00 2,287.03 68.082.96 23.084.50 3.022,409.73 0.00 0.00 0.00 242,999.32 3.686,617.58 16,906.02 11,572.14 0.00 22,928.23 20,000.00 175,000.00 0.00 0.00 (fl ... li 1 i. J JLRSD SUPTS OFFICE LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND ACCOUNT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30,1995 1 718 P06 AUG 10 95 15:58 J J J PROJECT GILLUM HALL HENDERSON IRC JEFFERSON KING MABELVALE JR MANN MEAOOWCLIFF MCCLaLAN PARKVIEW PURCHASING RIGHTSELL ROCKEFELLER ROMINE TERRY WATSON ADMINSTRATION PLANT SERVICE WILLIAMS CONTINGENCY susrorxu BEG BALANCE 07-01 94 46,623.40 72,167.34 0.00 10.500.00 665,076.52 677,649.27 779,529.23 10,218.50 128,163.14 0.00 99.566.59 1,678.10 0.00 0.00 18,925.35 92.76 26,050.53 0.00 0.00 353,182.02 897,457.69 4,170,624.36 INCOME 1994-95 o.oo TRANSFERS 1994 95 (66,973.17) 52,915.83 (529.041,77) 32,000.00 110,022.40 (107,795.15) 8,167.46 114,016.06 5.788.16 102,980.51 155,009.18 (14,180.88) (92.76) 40,206.61 12,450.52 36,228.44 1126.888.631 0.00 EXPENDITURES 1994.S6 6,194.17 48,666.83 277,502.71 147,999.30 389,774.96 34,733 76 20,367.99 8,157.45 213.582.66 7,366.25 101,812.28 6.044.18 4,744.47 1,340.22 12,450.52 389,410.46 1,91,77a.O3 ENCUMBRANCES 1994-95 END BALANCE 06-30-96 46,623.40 0.00 4,260.00 10,500.00 387,573.81 608.20 421,764.28 85.507.14 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,168.23 148.966.00 0.00 0,00 26,050.53 33,866.29 0.00 0.00 i I -1 0.00 770,669.06 2,188,852.33 KEVEWS SALE OF PROP/MI8C PROCEEOS-FIRE LOSS HENDERSON HENDERSON WATER METRO GRANT INTEREST SUBTOTAL GffAND TOTAL 441,340.44 101,741.55 35,864.20 4,100.00 36.998.72 1,268.948.69 1,888.983.60 10.928.012.80 6.680.10 200.60 35,000.00 408,431.25 4)6,011.36 416,011.35 0.00 0.00 35,200.60 2.806.530.26 0.00 447,719.94 101.741.66 854.20 4,100.00 36,998.72 1,677,379.94 2,268,794.35 8.536,49,?, as 1 3 bOffice of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown, Federal Monitor 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501) 376-6200 Fax (501) 371 -0100 October 27, 1995 Mr. Michael Daugherty 2101 South Margin Little Rock, AR 72204 Dear Michael: Congratulations on your election to the Little Rock School District Board of Directors. From what Ive read, your professional and personal experiences give you insights that will be invaluable as the district makes decisions that affect the lives of so many. Im looking forward to getting to know you, and hope well find a time to begin that process soon. Please give me a call at your earliest convenience and lets arrange to get together. 1 hope you will also feel free to drop by ODM at any time to meet my colleagues and tour our offices. Under separate cover to your LRSD mail box. Im sending you some of our recent monitoring reports. 1 know that as a new board member youll be inundated Avith all sorts of paper, and 1 dont want to add too much to the pile. As is our practice, well routinely send you and other members of the board our new reports as we issue them. Please feel free to call on me or any member of my staff whenever we can answer a question or furnish information. We keep an open door and a pot of coffee on at all times, and well always be pleased to see you. Best wishes on your new venture. I know youre going to do a fine job. Sincerely yours, Ann S. Brown Enc. Office of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown, Federal Monitor 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)376-6200 Fax (501) 371-0100 October 29, 1995 Ms. Stephanie Johnson 8701 Interstate 30 Apt. 206 Little Rock, AR 72209 Dear Stephanie: I should have written this letter to you right after the election. Please forgive me for being slow to tell you how much 1 will miss you as a member of the Little Rock School District Board of Education. Although your tenure on the board was brief, it was nonetheless very significant. You displayed a quick grasp of the issues and a sincere, steadfast concern for the welfare of the children, parents, and employees of the district. You stepped in during a difficult time in the districts history, but you did not flinch when making touch decisions nor did you waver when taking a stand for your convictions. As both the desegregation monitor and a fellow citizen, 1 greatly appreciate the service you gave to our community as a board member. Although this phase of your public service is over for now. I know youll continue to serve in other roles because your heart is full of love and you will always care for others. Thank you for all youve done to make our town a better place for all of us. Your have my sincere best wishes for every success. Please dont ever hesitate to call on me whenever 1 can be of any help. Sincerely yours, Ann S. Brown Enc. i -LRSD ADMIN. BULDING 17:45 P. 02/02 (o Fax:1-501-324-2032 Jan 3 '96 "a LrrfLE Rock School District Media Advisory Januaiy' 3, 1996 For more information: Suellen Vann, 324-2020 1 i Special Board Meeting t
I The Little Rock School District (LRSD) Board of Directors has called a special Board meeting for '1 hursday, January 4,1996. The agenda for the meeting will include: I I Dress Code at the Alternative Learning Center Review of LRSD contract with Laidlaw Transit Personnel Item J. !t I The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m, in rhe Board Room of the LRSD Administration Building at 810 West Markham. 3 i t,' 810 West Markham Street Little Rock. Arkansas 73301 (.501)334-8000 -1*.% gs3a!iamgai<!gajgaB!gMimj^ ss I F!LgD U S OISTaiCT COURT eastern DISTRICTARKANSAS IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS WESTERN DIVISION JUL 1 2 1996 JAM^yv. McCormack. CLERK OEP CLERI^- LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT PLAINTIFF vs. No. LR-C-82-866 PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 1, ET AL DEFENDANTS MRS. LORENE JOSHUA, ET AL INTERVENORS KATHERINE KNIGHT, ET AL INTERVENORS SERVICEMASTER MANAGEMENT SERVICES, A Limited Partnership INTERVENORS 30, ORDER The Court has previously scheduled hearings for July 29 and 1996 to consider Little Rock School District (LRSD) budget matters for FY 1996-97. Also on those dates, the Court intended to review the 1996-97 budgets for the North Little Rock School District (NLRSD) and the Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD). Due to scheduling conflicts on the Court's docket (primarily as a result of an ongoing criminal trial), the Court will be unable to hold budget hearings on the dates scheduled. Those hearings are therefore canceled. In lieu of budget hearings. the Court orders the LRSD, NLRSD, and PCSSD to submit to the Office of Desegregation monitoring (ODM), on date and time to be a determined by them, any information ODM deems necessary for an adequate review of each district's budget. The Court expects the LRSD, NLRSD, and PCSSD to cooperate in good faith with ODMI regarding submission of any requested information so that further orders of the Court are unnecessary. Also before the Court is the Joshua Intervenors' motion for an interim award of attorney's fees and costs [doc.#2565]. * The Court hereby schedules a hearing on this motion to begin at 9:30 a. m. on July 29, 1996, in room #305, 600 West Capitol Avenue, U.S. Courthouse, in Little Rock, Arkansas. IT IS SO ORDERED this 12th day of July 1996. un1tT) states^ di: .TES DlSTJ^ICT JUDGE rws document e.ntfc'- rule 56 '^ND/qh 7^) L I SHEET irj Al hearing on this motion had previously been scheduled for July 1, 1996, but had to be cancelled due to an ongoing criminal trial. -2- /08 '30 96 12:05 301 324 2023 LRSD COM5IUXICATI --- 0D)I @002 002 1 xons Little Rock School District School Board Candidate Forum August 30,1996 For more information: Suellen Vanm 324-2020 Candidates for the upcoming Little Rock School Board elections wiU answer questions during a televised public forum on Tuesday, September 3, 1996, The forum will provide voters the opportunity to learn more about the Little Rock School Board candidates and their thoughts on educational issues. In Zone 1 the incumbent, Dr. Katherine Mitchell, has filed for re-election. Dr. Mitchell IS challenged by Sarah Facen and Kenyon Lowe, Sr. In Zone 5 only one individual, Larry Berkley, filed for election
the incumbent, Linda Pondexter, is not seeking re-election. School board elections are set for September 17. The school board candidate forum is sponsored by the Coalition of Little Rock Neighborhoods and the Little Rock School District. Norns Deajon, KATV reporter, wiU serve as moderator. The forum wiU be broadcast live from the Little Rock School District Administration Building, 810 West Markham, over Comcast Cable Channel 4 at 6
00 p.m., and wiU be rebroadcast each weekday at 8:30 a.m. and 1
30 pm, through September 17, 810 West Markham StreetbaA PAGE 01/01 i i. , S\ p. isms t ' <J .1. ILittle Rock School District OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT received August 4,1998 AUfi ? - '933 Ann Brown, Federal Monitor Office of Desegregation Monitoring 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Little Rock, AR 72201 Dear Ms. Brown: I want to update you on a change in the development of the agenda for Little Rock School District board meetings. The Board voted in July to open the Special Presentations section of the agenda to give more groups who are stakeholders in the District the opportunity to address the Board. We want to hear from representatives of all interested groups. Beginning with the August meeting, we ask that.you notify the Superintendents office if your organization wishes to have a representative address the Board at the regular monthly meeting. Contact Beverly Griffin at 324-2012 by noon on Monday preceding the board meeting and you will be placed on the agenda. Thank you for helping create the very best schools for our students. We look fcr.vard to conti Jing to hear from you at Board meetings. Yours truly, Judy Magness, President Board of Directors 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501) 824-2000 ** 1998-99 BOARD MEETING DATES MONTH August September October November December January February March April May June ** ** MEETING DATE * (Notification Date) 08-27-98 *(08-24-98) 09-24-98 *(09-21-98) 10-22-98 *(10-19-98) 11-19-98 *(11-16-98) 12-17-98 *(12-14-98) 01-28-99 *(01-25-99) 02-25-99 *(02-22-99) 03-25-99 *(03-22-99) 04-22-99 *(04-19-99) *(05-24-99) 06-24-99 *(06-21-99) November and December Meetings are scheduled one week earlier than usual to avoid conflict with holidays.Office of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown, Federal Monitor 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)376-6200 Fax (501) 371-0100 August 21, 1998 Mr. Mike Kumpuris 7606 Westwood Avenue Little Rock, AR 72204 Dear Mike: Congratulations on your recent appointment to the Board of Directors in the Little Rock School District. Your experiences as an administrator, budget manager, and volunteer give you insights that will be invaluable as the district makes decisions that affect the lives of so many. I'm looking forward to getting to know you, and hope we'll soon be able to spend some time doing just that. Please give me a call at your earliest convenience so we can arrange a time to get together. Id be happy for you to drop by to meet my colleagues and tour our offices. Im enclosing the mission statement of our office so you can get a sense of our values and philosophy. Our intention is always to work positively and cooperatively with the school districts. Were very excited about the possibilities now taking shape in the LRSD and are anxious to support the districts implementation of its new desegregation and education plan. Please feel free to call on me or any member of my staff whenever we can answer a question or furnish information. We keep the door open and the coffee hot at all times, and we'll always be pleased to see you. Best wishes on your new venture. Sincerely yours, Brown Enc.Office of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown, Federal Monitor 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)376-6200 Fax (501) 371-0100 October 12, 1998 Baker Kurrus 10816 Crestdale Lane Little Rock, AR 72212 Dear Baker: Congratulations on your recent election to the Board of Directors in the Little Rock School District. And to think we almost lost you to north Arkansas! Glad you decided to stay here in Little Rock where your experiences and insights will be invaluable as the district makes important decisions that affect the lives of so many. .Although youre no stranger to ODM and I think of you as a friend, its my custom to invite new board members to visit the office to get their bearings on our location and meet the staff. Id love to spend some time catching up with you. Please give me a call at your earliest convenience so we can arrange to get together. Ill be out of state for a while this month, but Polly will be happy to set up a time for us to meet after I return. Youve probably seen it before, but in case not. Im enclosing the ODM mission statement, which encompasses our values and philosophy. As you know, our intention is always to work positively and cooperatively with the school districts. Were very excited about the possibilities now taking shape in the LRSD and are working to support the districts implementation of its new desegregation and education plan. Please feel free to call on me or any member of my staff whenever we can answer a question or furnish information. We keep the door open and the coffee hot at all times, and we'll always be pleased to see you. Best wishes on your new venture. Sincerely yours, Auin S. Brown Enc. Office of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown, Federal Monitor 201 East Markham. Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock. Arkansas 72201 (501)376-6200 Fax (501) 371-0100 October 16, 2000 Mr. Tony Rose 8109 Mellwood Little Rock, AR 72204 Dear Tony: Congratulations on your election to the Board of Directors in the Little Rock School District! Achieving public office is a significant accomplishment, and aspiring to service on the school board indicates that you care a great deal about children, which makes you a very important person indeed.. Its my custom to invite new board members to come visit us at ODM to get a bearing on our location, tour our offices, and meet the staff. Wed love to spend some time getting to know you and answering any questions you might have about our office and how we work. Please give me a call at your earliest convenience so we can arrange to get together. Im enclosing the ODM mission statement, which encompasses our values and philosophy. Our intention is always to work positively and cooperatively with the local school districts. We value our history of working closely with the LRSD and enjoy a congenial and productive relationship with the districts leaders. Please feel free to call on me or any member of my staff whenever we can answer a question or furnish information. We keep the door open and the coffee hot at all times, and well always be glad to see you. Best wishes on your new venture. Sincerely yours, Ann S. Brown Enc. ZONE I 2 3 4 5 6 LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS NAME Katherine Mitchell Michael Daugherty Judy Magness re/-ary H. Baker Kuitus Vce. Lairy Berkley Tony Rose 7 Sue Strickland ADDRESS 1605 Welch St. Little Rock, AR 72206 2101 S. Martin Little Rock, AR 72204 e-mail: mdaugh@virlualhosts.net 708 Hall Drive Little Rock, AR 72205 e-mail: jmagncs@ibm.net 10816 Crestdale Lane Little Rock, AR 72212 e-mail: bkunus@aol.com 14005 St. Charles Blvd. Little Rock, AR 72211 e-mail
lany@carti.conQ 8I09Mellwood Little Rock, AR 72204 e-mail: lonyrose@cei.net 19 Peartiee Place Little Rock, AR 72209 e-mail: terrell@anstotle.nel TELEPHONE 375-6957 (li) 370-5255 (o) 664-3143 (h) 370-3580 (vm) 666-0923 (h) 224-4154 (h) 376-3300 (w) 225-7377 (h) 296-3254(w) 568-7587 (h) 569-3122 (w) 455-1843(h) TERM 2002 q CS) s? hO (S CS o (S co 2001 Cd K) A KO KO 2003 2001 2002 2003 2003 Q-aq-co a o I C5 N110/18/2000 08:48 3242032 LRSD PAGE 02/02 2000-2001 BOARD MEETING DATES MONTH AGENDA MF-KTING * (Items Due) REGULAR MEETING * * (Items Due) July 07-13-<X) (07-11-00) (n-n-OKi **(07-24-00) 08-10-00 * (00-00-00) 08-24-00 **<0-22-00> SqAember 09-14-00 (09-12-00) October 10-12-00 09-23-00 **(09-25M)0) 10.36300 **<20-25-00
November 11-02-00 (10-31-00) 1146-00 **fJJ-J3-Wj December 12-07-00 *fJ2-O5-fl0 12-14-00 (12^11^0) laawxy 01-11-01 *f02-09-02> 01-25-01 **<02-22-02
February 02-08-01 *(02-06-01) 02-22-01 March 03-08-01 *<05-06-00 JJ 03-22-01 **(03-19-01) Afoil 0442:5.1 *(04-10-01) 04-26-01 May 05-10-01 *<05-0-02> 05-24-01 **rO5^2J-OZ> June 06-14-01 06-28-01 **(0^25-01) * Proposed agenda items due in the Superintendent's office by noon on Tuesday prior to meeting. (For publication and distribution to the Doard two diQis prior to the meeting.) fuudi^enda items due in tite Superintendents office BY NOON onMonday, (For publication in tiie monthly board agenda.)CM S) \ CM O LU CL little rock school oistrict superintendent of schools Roy S. Brooks, Ed.D. BIO West Markhom Street Little Rock, AR 72201 (SOI) 447-1005 board of DDtECTORS ZONE 1 LU o Ll U. o (n q: LU cn a co a 2 3 4 cn in 5 __________NAME Kotherine Mitchell MichfleJ bflugheTty Bryon bay H. Baker Krrus t-arry Berkley I Y rH (S in 6 Tony ftase cn CM in 7 - Sue Strrcklond (S ID CM cn ADDRESS 1605 Welch St. Little Rock, AR 72206 e-mail: KPMITCHELL@PHILANDER.EDU 2101 S. Mortin Little Rack, AR 72204 e moil: rmdaughertyearistotle.net 337 Crystol Court Little Rock, AR 72205 e-moil: Bday@little<ock.state.arus 10816 Crestdale Lane Little Rock, AR 72212 _e-^il
bkurrus@aol com 14005 St. Charles Blvd. ' Little Rock, AR 72211 e-tnail: iarry@corti.com 8109 Melfwood Little Rock, AR 72204 e-mail: tonyrosel@comca$t.net 13600 Otter Creek Parkway 4pt, 147, LR.AR 72219 e-mail: tstrickland33@conicosf.net tclephone 375-6957 (h) 370-5255(0) 664-3143 (h) 664-5776 (fi) 371-4770 (w) 224-4154 (h) 376-3300 (w) (h) 296-3254(i) 568-7587 (h) 569-8122 (w) 455-1843 term 2005 2004 2006 2004 2005 2006 2006ZONE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS NAME Katherine Mitchell Michael Daugherty Bryan Day H. Baker Kurrus Larry Berkley Tony Rose Sue Strickland ADDRESS 1605 Welch St. Little Rock, AR 72206 e-mail: KPMITCHELL@PHlLANDER.Fni) 2101 S. Martin Little Rock, AR 72204 e-mail: rmdaugherty@aristotle.net 337 Crystal Court Little Rock, AR 72205 e-mail
Bdav@littlei'ock.sta(e.ar.us 10816 Crestdale Lane Little Rock, AR 72212 e-mail
bkurrus@aol.com T4OO5 St. Charles Blvd. Little Rock, AR 72211 e-mail: laiTv@carti.com 8109 Mellwood Little Rock, AR 72204 e-mail: tonvrosef^ei.net 19 Peartree Place Little Rock, AR 72209 suestrickl and200Q@yah oo.com TELEPHONE 315-695'1 (h) 370-5255 (o) 664-3143(h) 664-5776 (h) 371-4770 (w) 224-4154 (h) 376-3300 (w) 225-7377 (h) 296-3254(w) 568-7587 (h) 569-8122 (w) 455-1843 (h) TERM 2005 2004 2006 2004 2005 2006 2006,LRSD Board of Directors Page 1 of2 Little School [ Mom I Info [ parents | Schools | gjoard of E.d ) Adiitn VipS 5tu<lnt3 JoiS C.on*ac* (J Si* LK5D OKG Board Members Board Members Board Meeting Dates Board Meeting Minutes Board Policies Board Elections Policy Search ''1 ."i i I I Katherine Mitchell Zone 1 R. Micheal Daughei Zone 2 President 7 Bryan C Zone : Secreta IfiBUf
J H. Baker Kurrus Zone 4 Vice President Larry Berkley Zone 5 Tony Rt Zone I http ://www. lrsd.org/Gen_Info/boardindex. cfrn?id=3 7 11/10/2005 .LRSD Board of Directors Page 2 of 2 aggwi ''v J -C-Msi*' Sue Strickland Zone 7 Home I Info | Schools | Board of Ed | Admin | News | Students Employees | Jobs | Contact Us | Site Guide Little Rock School District 810 West Markham Little Rock AR 72201 Ph. 501.4 http://www.lrsd.org/Gen Info/boardindex.cfm?id=37 11/10/2005 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992 Armstrong, 86 newcomer to LR School Board, resigns CYNTI-114 uniA/ci I r ....______________________ BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazette Staff Writer Robin Armstrong, a Little Rock School Board member since 1986. resigned the position Thursday, citing job duties that would keep her from devoting enough time to the selection of a new superintendent and making other district- related decisions. I w % a frequent Armstrong ally a knowledgeable board member who brought realism and common Armstrong, 39,' said her job LuJS as community affairs coordina- o t Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute s sense to an out-of-touch educational bureaucracy. Armstrong was president of the board in 1989 when Steele was hired and when the settlement to the desegregation lawsuit was negotiated among the three Pulaski County school districts. has expanded. She UM expanaea. bhe promotes he three CARTI centers in Little Rock, Mountain Home and Searcy, and IS a major organizer of the annual Festival of Trees fundraiser. -a I Armstrongs three-year term as the school board member ------= .he board Applicants should live hi the zone. The board will interview applicants March 19. Zone 4 encompasses an north of Rodney Parham -------- Hinson roads and r - successor, who Arkansas River. The west re- boundary is the city limits Zih"/ members, while the east boundary would serve until the Sept. 15 aong North UniverLt? school election and be eligible AA._-...^."'''.Csity a three-vear term. the school board must make some critical decisions in the next few months including the selection of a superintendent to succeed Ruth Steele, who is retiring June 30. will be appointed by the remembers 1 Robin Armstrong an area and south of the runs nueandMissis.-ippfs^re^t.^''" Rutherford, a former met school board member who was In her letter of resignation to board President O.G. Jaco- velli, Armstrong said the last six years had been a unique experience. She called her term a period of extreme highs and the lowest of lows. The lows included the loss school families in 1987 because of the controlled- choice student assignment plan, Armstrong said. Other lows included the financial problems that almost closed the district in 1990, The highs included the at- tainment of a court-approved settlement at- . - in the desegregation lawsuit, she said. ~ uun Other highs included increasing en- T*- cooperation among cnh ftilaski County school districts, the reinstatement of junior high athletic programs, passage of an 8-mill tax increase in 1990 and the employment of elementary school counselors. I iI 1 ) t -4 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992 Pulaski Ex-LR schools chief gets Zone 4 position BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democral-Gazette Staff Writer
Former Little Rock Superintendent George D. Cannon was selected Thursday by iLittle Rock .School Board
to fill the va- ' cancy created by the resig- .nation of Robin Arm. strong March 5, on / Cannon, mow a faculty
member I Related article 3B the a t George Cannon Ihe University of Arkansas at
Little Rock, was one of seven ?applicants interviewed by the '.board for the Zone 4 position. The board interviewed each -applicant and then met in a closed session for about an hour before voting 4-0 in favor iisr Cannon. Board members present Thursday were O.G. jacovelli, W.D. Bill Hamilton. Pat Gee and Dorsey Jackson. iDr. Katherine Mitchell and 'John Moore were absent.
Cannon. 50, will serve until the Sept, 15 school election, at which time he will be eligible '.to run for election to the
board. He said he will focus on the duties the board now faces and did not say whether he would seek election in Sep-
tember. Cannon, who lives at 34 Inverness Circle, was superin- ffendent of the school district from October 1987 until he resigned in August 1989. He formerly was superintendent of schools in Meridian, Miss. He teaches school finance, school law, and board and superintendent relations at UALR, In his interview. Cannon said he has an understanding of many of the issues that make the Little Rock district more difficult to manage than 75 percent to 80 percent of other districts in the country. He said his top priority would be to clearly establish goals for the district so that all employees can articulate and work toward them. In response to questions from the board. Cannon said that he supported the health clinic at Central High School and that one of the most serious issues facing the district is the possible financial collapse of the Pulaski County Special School District, He said other concerns were the disparities in academic achievement of black and white students, and the districts financial stability. Cannon and his wife, Peggy, a sixth-grade teacher at Otter Creek Elementary, have three sons, the youngest of whom attends Carver Elementary School. The older sons have graduated. t j f 1Arkansas Democrat-Gazette FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992 LRSD board member proposes contracting for support services BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazette Staff Writer Little Rock School Board member Dorsey Jackson asked the board Thursday to authorize a feasibility st 'n hiring private companies 'a provide the district with janitorial, transportation or other support services. Jackson said his discussions with district administrators and a private firm indicated the district could save as much as $1 million a year by contracting for the services rather than continuing to employ its own workers. Jackson said *hf districts mission is to provide a quality education. In :o doing, we should explore ,-a-
.ous alternatives to providing such education in the most effective, cost-efficient manner as possible. Not only do I believe the cost savings would be substantial, Jackson said, but I think the amount of time devoted to these services by Dr. (Ruth) Steele and her administration could be much better spent on curriculum management and improving the educational performance of the students. He said the study would not commit the district to contracting services. But should 'he savings be substantial, he said, it would be difficult to justify not proceeding with implementation. The board took no action Thursday, but could do so at a meeting March 26. The proposal generated immediate reactions from board member W.D. Bill Hamilton and Frank Martin, executive director of the Classroom Teachers Association. Hamilton said private firms do not always treat their employees well and frequently when the employees and dishire part-time workers, who are ineligible for insurance benefits that district employees receive. 7 think the amount of time devoted to these services by Dr. (Ruth) Steele and her administration could be much better spent on curriculum management and improving the educational performance of the students. Many of our support service employees are parents of children in our district, he said. By contracting services, we may be hurting our children as well as our employees. Martin said the CTA, which represents almost 1,000 of the support employees, will oppose any plans for contracting services. The district explored contracting for custodial services in 1986. but turned it down trict officials agreed to find other ways to cut costs. In other district business, James Ivey, the districts manager for support services since last summer, has submitted his resignation from the school district, effective June 30. Steele said steps will be taken immediately to fill the position so the new employee will be able to work with Ivey before he leaves. Ivey is the third top district administrator to announce plans to retire or resign this year. Steele and Deputy Superintendent Tony Wood also are leaving at the end of June. James Jennings, associate superintendent for desegregation. said a year ago that he may take a position at Hendrix College at Conway next year, although he has not yet taken any formal action.Arkcinscis Democrat-Gozette SATURDAY, JUNE 13 , 1992 Cannon makes finals for job in Louisiana by CYNTHIA wnvuci . V. BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Oemocrai-Gazetto Siad Writer lu Dr. George Cannon h Cannon, a member of the Little Rock School Board and a former district superintendent, is one of six finalists for the job of superin- Monroe, La., City School District. Brass, a member of the Monroe School Board and chairman of the superintendent search committee, said Friday that Cannon is one of the leading contenders for the job. The names of finalists were announced Thursday night. Brass said the school board plans to decide on a new superintendent on June 29. Cannon will be interviewed by the board Thursday. The advertised salary range for the position is $75,000 to $85,000 plus benefits that are negotiable. The district has about 11,000 students and an annual budget of $34 million . The current superintendent IS James L. Pughsley, who is resigning after serving two years of his four-year contract. Besides Cannon, finalists are Dr. H.P. Bell, an assistant superintendent in Dallas, Texas: Dr. Maxine Pijeau superintendent of the East Orange County, N.J., School District
Dr. Terry Terril, superintendent of the Caddo Parish La.. School District
Richard Miles, an assistant superintendent in Monroe
and Abe Pierce, an assistant superintendent in Ouachita Parish, La., School District. Cannon was superintendent of the Little Rock district from 1987 until August 1989. He IS a faculty member in the College of Education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. has unex- Since March, Cannon L been a Little Rock School Board member. He was appointed to fulfill the unex- Pired term of Robin Armstrong. who resigned. The term will end Sept. 15, at t'n'e Cannon would be elootion to the board from Zone 4. Arkansas Democrat Established 1871 Arkansas (gazette Established 1819 Arkansas Democrat gazette An Independent Daily and Sunday Newspaper MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1992 Teacher contract on boards agenda The Little Rock School Board will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. today to vote on the 1992- 93 teacher contract. In other business, the board will decide what process to use to fill the board vacancy created by the recent resignation oi ur. George Cannon. Cannon represented Zone 4, which encompasses northwest Little Rock. Also on the agenda will be a discussion on the feasibility of changing some of the districts Friday night high school football games to Saturday mornings.Arkansas Democrat THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1992 -- I School board hears proposal to rewrite policy on complaints BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazette Education Writer Anonymous complainers to the Little Rock School District may find their future complaints unheeded if the school board next week approves a policy change on the matter. Superintendent Mac Bernd recommended during a board committee meeting Wednesday that the existing complaint policy be altered to say anonymous complaints will not be checked out. However, after board members objected to a blanket rejection of all anonymous calls and letters, the superintendent said he would rephrase the proposal to say that if facts in the anonymous complaint are verifiable, the complaint will not be ignored. We think it is important to have a statement in policy about handling anonymous complaints, Bernd said in introducing the proposal. We suggest they be disregarded. He said people should identify themselves so problems can be fully investigated. During an investigation, the person making the complaint may need to provide additional information. Bernd said no particular incident prompted the proposed policy change. Sometimes people have legitimate reasons for not identifying themselves, said board member Katherine Mitchell. Employees may be afraid to say something about a problem. Mitchell said writing a policy on anonymous complaints was a waste of time, and people should use common sense to determine whether a complaint is worth considering. The proposed policy also says the district welcomes constructive criticism when it is motivated by a sincere desire to improve the quality of the educational process. The policy proposal also states that employees will treat patrons courteously at all times. However, teachers or other school personnel need not endure insults or abusive treatment from any person pertaining to any complaint, the proposal says. Also on Wednesday, Brady Gadberry, the districts director of human relations, said that approximately 160 certified employees resigned or retired from I k I I 9 h n A 4 If M M w II < ill f r I I I 1 rArkansas Democrat "^(^azcUc MONDAY. FEBRUARY 1, 1993 Copyright o 1993, Little Rock Newspapers, Inc. Education briefs LR board names lawyer president John Moore, an attorney with the Huckaby, Munson, Rowlett and Tilley law firm, was elected president of the Little Rock School Board on Thursday night. He replaced O.G. Jacovelli, who remains on the board but is no longer an officer. Dorsey Jackson was elected vice president and Dr. Katherine Mitchell was elected secretary of the seven-member board.Arkansas Democrat .w> (gazette FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 26, 1993 CoDyngnt 5? 1993. Little Rock Newspapers. !nc. School boards must meet after 5 p.m. under bill passed 29-1 by Senate BY RACHEL ONEAL Democrat-Gazette Capitol Bureau An amendment that would allow school boards to meet in special session before 5 p.m. was soundly defeated Thursday by the state Senate. After the amendment failed, the Senate approved Senate Bill 418, which would require all school board meetings to be held after 5 p.m. The lead sponsor of the bill is Sen. James Scott of Warren. The unsuccessful amendment was proposed by Sen. David Malone of Fayetteville. If you call a special meeting and you have it at 2 p.m., then the people who want to come and voice their opinions will be at work, Sen. Mike Everett of Marked Tree, who voted against the amendment, said. But Malone said school districts dont want the Legislature to dictate all their rules and regulations. The bill was approved by a vote of 29-1. Sen. Joe Yates of Bentonville was the only senator who voted against the legislation. Also Thursday, the Senate approved two versions of bills to prohibit stalking. Before approving the bills, the Senate amended Senate Bill 2 to make it identical to House Bill 1201. SB 2 is sponsored by Sen. Eugene Bud Canada of Hot Springs. HB 1201 is sponsored by Rep. Judy Smith of Camden. Both bills would classify a stalker as a person who purposefully engages in a course of conduct that harasses another person and makes a terroristic threat with the intent of placing that person in imminent fear of death or serious bodily injury. Under both bills, the acts of stalking must be separated by at least 36 hours and occur within one year. Second-degree stalking would carry a three- to 10-year prison term and a $10,000 fine. Under first-degree stalking, the convicted person must have been convicted of second-degree stalking within 10 years of the crime or must have been armed with a deadly weapon. SB 2 was approved unanimously. SB 1201 was approved 34-1.Arkansas Democrat SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1993 ' Copyright C 1993, Little Rock Newspapers. Inc. Legislative digest Sponsor delays bill on school boards The House sponsor of a bill that would require school boards to meet after 5 p.m. delayed consideration of the proposal by the House on Friday after several members objected. . The debate over Senate Bill 418 by Sen. James Scott of Warren was about the only discussion on a day when legislators were anxious to head home before expected bad weather hit and catch the Razorback basketball game on TV. What it (SB 418) is doing is requiring them to meet when the public can meet with them, said Rep. Jimmie Don McKis- sack of Star City, who was handling the bill in the House. Rep. Pat Flanagin of Forrest City called it an honest and good government bill. But McKissack asked for the delay after Reps. Jimmie Wilson . of Lakeview and Roger Rorie of Clinton said the bill would take away local power from school boards.Arkansas Democrat (Bazcttc Arkansas Democrat Qpazette FRIDAY, MARCH 26,1993 Copyright 1993. Little Rock Newspapers. Inc. LRSD board commits to court plan I I I I BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazette Education Writer In response to U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wrights stern lecture last week to the Little Rock School Board, board members said Thursday that they believe the district must be committed to implementing the court-approved desegregation plan. Board members Dorsey Jackson and John A. Riggs IV both read lengthy statements, saying they didnt agree with all parts of the plan adopted by their predecessors, but court orders must be obeyed. In spite of my philosophical differences with this plan, I intend to use my influence as a board member to see it is implemented, Jackson read. Jackson, whom the judge called on to stop reading a magazine during the court hearing, apologized for his courtroom behavior and said he had no intention to resign despite pressure to do so. He went on to say that demands made on the district by the black Joshua intervenors were unreasonable. He asked that John Walker, the intervenors attorney, restrain his hostilities and enable the district to educate all children. Walker, who attended the meeting, questioned Jacksons sincerity and said he was begging the board to drop its adversary role and be cooperative in the school case. Riggs said in his six-page statement that he would attend all future court hearings and report to the board on them if Wright would release other members from attending. District Superintendent Mac Bernd told the board that steps are planned to immediately assess what components of the desegregation plan are being implemented and what remains to be done. In other business, the board approved
A committee recommendation that a new interdistrict elementary school be built on the site of the Stephens Incentive Elementary School at 3700 W. 18th St. The assignment of Sadie principal Mitchell, of Cloverdale Elementary School, as principal of the new Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School.Aikansas Democrat gazette FRIDAY, JUNE 11,1993 - 9B LRSD ponders appeal of hearing attendance order BY DANNY SHAMEER Democrat-Gazene Education Writer The Little Rock School Board will vote June 24 on whether to appeal a federal judges requirement that its members appear at court hearings in the Pulaski County school desegregation case. The idea sparked strong opinions from all sides of the table when board member Dorsey Jackson brought it up during a work session Thursday to develop an agenda for the regular monthly board meeting June 24. He also proposed two other items designed to help ensure that the board will know whether the district and its employees are following court guidelines and the desegregation plan. Those proposals would: Instruct the districts administration and legal staff to prepare a summarized list of timetables of specific desegregation plan items from all the various court orders in effect. Direct the administration to prepare specific job descriptions for cabinet-level positions. The descriptions would identify specific sections of the desegregation plan for which the employee is responsible. The cabinet-level employee would be required to develop similar job descriptions for staff members. Since March, U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wright has required school board members to attend federal court hearings involving the district and the desegregation case. If she grants excused absences to any members, they must attend a review session at a later date to go over key points. Jackson said that requiring board members to attend hearings during the work day prevents them from performing their regular jobs and may ultimately limit the number of people who can serve on the school board. Board president John Moore, who was fined $100 for contempt of court after leaving a desegregation hearing Tuesday afternoon without permission because of a job commitment, favored placing Jacksons proposal to appeal on the June 24 agenda. Board members Pat Gee, Dr. Katherine Mitchell and Bill Hamilton spoke against adding the appeal to the agenda. They said the judge wants the board to witness firsthand how she believes the district is mishandling desegregation guidelines.Arkansas Democrat (j^azctte FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1993 . Copyright O 1993, Little Rock Newspapers, Inc. i.' EDITORIALS Emergency coming For the schools John Riggs of the Little Rock School Board got credit for this suggestion: When the board interviews prospects for a new superintendent to replace short-timer Mac Bernd, we want to make sure the next superintendent knows every wart on this school district. We want to talk them out of the job before they take it Good idea. Lets hope the board finds a candidate with staying power this time. But considering the challenge, not even a combination of Horace Mann, John Dewey, Maria Montessori and Booker T. Washington could do the job alone not without a change in public attitude and public policy. The district is going broke, it faces receivership, the money from the legal settlement is running out, and the only clear prospect ahead is more of the same. Ba li .I. > )| 'I r/ I i l .. ll I 'I 111: Even if you dont care much about the school system in Little Rock, though you should, remember that, as the schools go, so goes the capital city. When young folks with families drift away, they take with them not just their kids but their houses and business and civic activities and spirit. Its time for more than a new superintendent. Its time for leadership for ail those who are bound by the legal settlement to renegotiate it with the object of reviving public education in Central Arkansas. What good is preserving every metropolitan school districts stake in the settlement if it drags all of them down and chases folks away from the city? In the past, Arkansas has been good at rallying in times of crisis. A small band of women saved Little Rocks schools back in the bad old days. Businessmen have come to the citys rescue more than once, often quietly and almost unnoticed. What about an emergency committee of teachers, parents, public officials and civic leaders to rethink and revive public education in Little Rock before the approaching emergency strikes full force? The community has the resources, it has the leadership, and it has the pride to make a new start. It need only unite and mobilize them. Here is something j to think about, but not too long. Here is j something that needs doing. Soon. I 'f! Arkansas Democrat (gazette TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1993 Copyright O 1993. UWe Rock Newspapers. Inc. The responsibilities of a school board I read with interest the article about the citizens committee that is trying to get the Little Rock School District to reconsider hiring John Hickman. They also made a lot of recommendations for other principals and vice principals at various schools in the district. They need to study the duties and responsibilities of a school board in Arkansas. The school board is charged with hiring and firing the superintendent and setting school policy. The superintendent is then charged with the responsibility of recommending the hiring and firing of all other personnel in the district. The school board either approves or disapproves of his recommendations, and other action by the school board should be considered interference with the duties of the superintendent. Everyone who aspires to a professional position must submit an application for that opening based on the qualifications set down by the state of Arkansas.Arkansas Demcxn-at ^(gazette -FRIDAY, FEBRUARY4,1994 School Board to tackle variety of topics The Little Rock School Board will meet today and Saturday for a two-day work session on a variety of topics, including presentation of preliminary information on the districts 1994-95 budget. The work session will begin at 4:30 p.m. today on the fourth floor of Worthen Bank, 200 W. Capitol Ave. 'The session will resume at 8 a.m. Saturday at the same location. Tentative agenda items include a report on the advantages and disadvantages of hiring private companies to perform jobs now done by nonteaching district employees, incentive schools and the districts desegregation plan, facilities, transportation, student discipline, board policies, district goals and the appointment of board members to committees.FRIDAY, APRIL 1,1994 LRSD officials present board with wish list worth $193,480 BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazette Education Writer Despite the need to cut $7.2 million in expenses for next year. Little Rock School District administrators are recommending some more staff and programs for 1994-95. Some of the programs are required by the state and federal governments or the districts own desegregation plan. Programs proposed to the school board this week will cost about $193,480 from revenues that will total $136 million next year. The board hasnt approved the proposals or decided how expenses will be cut. The budget additions include: $75,000 to expand district services to serve a minimum of 100 students with limited or no English skills. $38,000 for revising math, language arts, foreign language and science courses to comply with state directives and for training teachers in those changes. $25,000 for science equipment. $18,000 for a secretary in the social studies department. $3,000 for development of a Spanish immersion pilot program where virtually all instruction in a first-grade incentive school class would be in Spanish. The school that would hold the program hasnt been chosen. $15,000 to revise the foreign language curriculum to accommodate students who have extensive instruction in elementary schools and those who dont. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will assist with the project. $18,000 for supplies and graduate course hours for math teachers in grades kindergarten through four. Two teachers in each of the 36 elementary schools will participate in the program. Another $377,000 would be spent on four Spanish teachers for the incentive elementary schools and equipment purchases to support the high-technology themes at Franklin, Rockefeller, Rightsell and Garland incentive schools. Those costs can be absorbed by doubling the funding those schools receive per student under the districts desegregation plan.Arkansas Democrat "8? azcttc K FRIDAY, MAY 27, 1 MJ LRSD board chief placed on probation for illegal duck hunt Ducks BY PATRICIA MANSON Democrat-Gazette Federal Reporter Little Rock School Board President Dorsey Jackson was placed on probation Thursday after pleading guilty to violating federal regulations during a January duck hunt. Jacksons conviction on six nnsdemeanor counts wont disqualify him from remaining on the school board, said the boards attorney. Christopher Heller. Five other defendants in the case also pleaded guilty Thursday to misdemeanors and were sentenced in federal court in Little Rock. Jacksons son and three other men admitted they shot more than their limit of ducks and Illegally tagged the birds to conceal the identity of the hunter who killed them. A sixth defendant admitted he had possessed illegally tagged ducks. J L I Federal officials said five of the defendants were responsible for shooting 23 ducks more than the limit dur- ing three days. The sixth defendant took the birds to a commercial picking operation officials said. Officers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investi- Dorsey Jackson gated the case. In federal court Thursday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jerry W. Cavaneau said duck hunters who violate regulations are cheating all the rest of us. When people in positions of trust and authority ignore the law, disrespect the law, we cant expect other people to respect it, Cavaneau told the defendants. The magistrate followed See DUCKS, Page 5B Continued from Page 1B Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth F. Stolls sentencing recommendations, ordering all the defendants to pay restitution and placing five of them on probation. The men had faced a six-month jail term and a $5,000 fine on each count. Stoll told the magistrate that the investigation in the case began Jan. 8. Thal was the day three of the defendants returned to the Circle S Duck Club in Arkansas County with their limit of ducks and then went out hunting again, Stoll said. He said five of the defendants repealed the same procedure the next day, bringing in a limit of ducks and then going out again for more game. After being confronted by wildlife officers, the Jacksons admitted they also had killed more than their limit of ducks and illegally tagged the birds Jan. 7, the day before the investigation began, Stoll said. Defense attorney Jim Rhodes didnt challenge Stolls account, .saying the Jacksons and the other defendants had acknowledged their guilt from Day One. But in a February 3 interview with the Arkansas Democrat- Gazette, Jackson denied having been questioned by authorities about the incident. Five of the defendants were placed on one year of unsupervised probation, barred from hunting during that time and ordered to pay restitution. Those defendants were: Jackson, 50. He pleaded guilty to three counts of killing more than the three-duck daily limit and three counts of improperly tagging the excess. Cavaneau ordered Jackson to pay $2,500 in restitution. Dorsey Jackson Jr., 22, of Little Rock. The school board presidents son also pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts. He was ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution. CharlesE. Kalb, 31, of Memphis. He pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor counts and was ordered to pay $2,100 in restitution. E.F. Lord Jr., 50, of Little Rock. He pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts and was ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution. Robert C. Lord, 49, E.F Lord's brother, of Little Rock. He pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts and was ordered to pay $1,200 in restitution. Wayne C. Sexton, 44, of Gillett, was the only defendant not placed on probation. He pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of having custody of 16 improperly tagged ducks and was ordered to pay $750 in restitution. Outside the courtroom. Special Agent Ron Parker of the federal wildlife service said tagging the hunters name and address the number and species of the birds and the date the birds were killed. The tag must be signed by the hunter, he said Parker said the tagging requirements are designed to make hunters accountable for the birds they kill and to prevent hunters from bagging more than the limit. violations and ''double trinnini
" --nr Irillinn <1____. or killing more than one limit IS .q big problem among hunters. Federal regulations require hunters to lag the migratory game birds they have bagged if they leave the birds outside their homes or in someone elses possession, Parker said. He said the tag must includeSATURDAY. JUNE 4, 1994 Dorsey Jackson should resign Dorsey Jackson should resign from the Little Rock School Board. The board, patrons, community and children attending the Little Rock School District would be served positively by his departure. Jackson was ordered to pay $2,500 for exceeding his daily limitation of duck kills. Jackson allegedly admitted killing his daily limit, disposing of the ducks at a duck club, then returned to kill more ducks. Jackson broke the law six times. Jacksons son was also ordered to pay restitution for the same offense. Jackson, as president of the School Board, is in a position of trust and leadership in the community. He violated his position of trust and leadership. The example Jackson sets for his children is his business, but the example he sets for the community, and more importantly, the children attending the Little Rock School District, is all of our business and concern. How can the community expect Jack- son to credibly carry out the laws which govern our school district and the desegregation orders he is responsible for implementing when he has such disrespect for the law? If he does not resign, the board should pass a no-confidence resolution pertaining to his position as a board member. JOHN ROLLANS Little RockArkansas Democrat 'w (gazette WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1994 Ducks unlimited When hunters are caught ow embarrassing for Dorsey Jackson, president of Little Rocks school board and for the rest of us. Shooting only one duck too many would be a dubious examp le to set for the next generation. Mr. Jackson and four others now have pled guilty to bagging twenty-three over the legal limit back in January. Its also reported that they illegally tagged the carcasses to conceal who had killed the ducks. In February, Mr. Jackson denied that he had been questioned by authorities about the hunting incident when a reporter asked about it. Now this. Others on the hunt were Mr. Jacksons son, Dorsey Jackson Jr.
Charles E. Kalb of Memphis
and the brothers Lord E.F. Jr. and Robert C. Another man, Wayne Sexton of Gillett, was arrested for possessing the ducks. The game warden seems to have bagged quite a few. At least Mr. Jackson wont lose his seat as president of the school board. A federal magistrate could have sent all of the defendants to jail for six months and fined them $5,000. In ad- - dition to making restitution in amounts ranging from $1,200 to $2,500 Mr. Jackson paid the most all the defendants were placed on probation. Lucky for them the magistrate didnt turn them all over to Ducks Unlimited. Those folks are not fond of people who violate the game laws. The Jacksons and their friends werent the first duck hunters to get caught thinking with their trigger fingers. Temptation has a way of clouding common sense and legal bag limits. When hunters find themselves in marshlands frequented by swarms of quackers, something strange seems to overtake some of them. Like a spell. Back in the Senseless Sixties, for example, a hi^ official with the states Game and Fish Commission got into hot water over wild ducks. Seems that wildlife officers heard shooting in the woods near Pine Bluff and came upon a trail of duck carcasses with the breasts carved out. The trail led to the state official and another man, who ended up shouldering the blame. The official was suspended pending an investigation, but resigned before a hearing. When hunters disregard the legal limits, theyre cheating the legal hunters, as the judge in this case pointed out. As any school disciplinarian might add, lets hope theyve all learned their lesson by now. Arkansas Demcxaat ^azcttc TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11.1994 Wflliams, board member to host meeting on schools The Little Rock School District will hold a town hall meeting tonight with hosts Superintendent Henry Williams and Little Rock School Board member John Riggs. The 7 p.m. meeting, one in a series the district has scheduled, will be at Fulbright Elementary School, 300 Pleasant Valley Drive.Arkansas Democrat' THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1994 LR School Board meets today at Ish The Little Rock School Board will hold its monthly agenda meeting at 5 p.m. today at the old Ish Elementary School building, 3003 S. Pulaski St. The district recently reopened the school to house pupils in pre-kindergarten through third grades who previously attended Chicot Elementary before it was damaged by arson Oct. 13. In addition to setting the agenda for its Nov. 17 meeting, the board will conduct a special meeting to fill an administrative vacancy in the districts data- processing department
discuss a process for selling excess property
review the districts budgeting system
and identify programs to be evaluated this year for their effectiveness.Arkansas Demcx^rat (gazette WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1995 A I iMi* MMz*nanr Inr LRSD decision-makers huddle to hone skills BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazette Education Writer Little Rock School Board members and the superintendent holed up in a hotel conference room most of Tuesday to stren^hen their working relationships and refine their system for making decisions. New Futures for Little Rock Youth sponsored the training for the board and Superintendent Henry Williams at the Little Rock Hilton Inn. Phillip Schlecty and Marty Vowels, educational consultants from Louisville, Ky,, led the training. New Futures is a collaboration of public and private agencies working in Little Rack to prevent teen-age pregnancy, youth violence and student failure in schools. The agency works closely with the Little Rock School District, Five of the seven Little Rock board members participated in the session. The others couldnt take part in most of the session because of illness or job responsibilities, Schlecty, president of the Center for Leadership in School Reform in Louisville, told school board members their roles should differ from those of other elected officials on governing boards. A school board members responsibility goes beyond representing a group of constituents and working for compromise. Schlecty said. Instead. a school board member should work for the common good of all students in a school district. That should include working with other board members to agree on what is important for students and educating constituents about those agreements and goals, Schlecty said. "Its hard work. Its boring. It takes lots of conversation, he said of working for consensus. Its so much easier to just represent a constituency. and members Board Williams reviewed and discussed how they function and communicate with each other and the public. The session was held at least in part to prepare the board for coming sessions on the 1995-96 budget. Williams has said the district must cut as much as $8 million in expenses for next year.Arkansas Democrat j WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1995 Pulaski district grants teacher paid leave for LRSD board time BY CHRIS REINOLDS Democrat-Gazette Staff Writer The Little Rock School Board j president, who teaches in the Pulaski County Special School District. was docked three days pay because she took time oiT to at- tend board meetings. Classroom Teachers contract states that professional leave may be granted for a school-related or -sponsored activity directly related to professional improvement. Professional leave is granted to improve the instructional program of the district. The contract doesnt limit the But Tuesday night, the Pulaski County Special School Board number of professional days a granted Linda Pondexter paid teacher can use. professional leave. Board mem- Pondexter contended that the bers said Pondexters involve- district didnt apply the professional leave policy fairly. ment in both districts could contribute to solving the desegregation problems that encompass all three districts in the county. If anybody has the opportunity to bridge the gap between the two districts, we need to support them, board member Mildred Im not talking about abusing the leave. Its a day here, a day there, she said. Pondexter said she leaves extensive lesson plans for the days shes absent so her students dont lose important instructional time. My kids are proud of what I do, Pondexter said. Pondexter said she has lost several hundred dollars since she began serving on the Little Rock School Board in 1993. The three days pay the board refused to pay this year would have totaled about $600, Pondexter said. Pulaski County Special Superintendent Bobby Lester said- teachers have served in the past as North Little Rock School Board members but have never been granted professional leave. Instead, those teachers were al< lowed to take unpaid public service leave. I Tatum said. Pondexter, who teachers ninth-grade civics at Fuller Junior High, has asked for three separate days of paid professional leave since being elected board president last fall. The district denied her the pay, and the teachers union has compensated her. My first and foremost job is to educate the children of Pulaski County, Pondexter said. But it is important to extricate ourselves from the desegregation case with interdistrict cooperation. The Pulaski .Association ofArkansas I >ciiKx iat W (bnzclk 7UESDAY, MARCH 14, 1995 O.G. Jacovelli, 49, school board veteran, dies BY SANDRA COX OflfTxwrei-Gftzettfl Staff Wrtlef O.G. Jacovelli. a vocal sevenyear member of the Little Rock School Board who wasn't afraid to take unpopular stances, died early Monday morning of cancer. She was 49. "She never worried about public opinion, said Linda Pondexter, Little Rock School Board president. "But she worried about being right" Jacovelli served on the board since her election in December 1987. She served as board president from September 1991 to January 1993 and as vice president from September 1990 to August 1991. "We're all saddened, said Dr. Henry Williams, superintendent of Little Rock schools. "It's an unfortunate and untimely death for a person that has worked so hard to do so much for so many. Oma Glynn Jacovelli was not afraid to make bold moves. For example, she spoke out in 1989 against the appointment of Buffalo. N.Y.. Superintendent Eugene Keville as a Little Rock school desegregation monitor. Angry because the school board voted against appealing U.S. District .Judge Henry Woods order rejecting a proposed desegregation settlement and empowering Keville as the monitor, she made a motion that Southwest Little Kock be de-an-nexed from the district. That motion failed. "She was a spirited and courageous woman who was a real supporter of education and who, as a school board member, not only was well prepared, but had enormous influences on others. said Skip Kutherford, former Little Kock School Board member and president. Pondexter said it was at Ja-covelli's urging that she ran for board president. Andi Jacovelli was deeply dedicated to the district. Southwest Little Rock in particular, said her sister, Mary Beth Ross of Little Rock. "This phone rang off the wall the whole time she was on the board until she became sick, Ross said in a telephone interview at her sisters house. "Calls from parents, calls from teachers, calls from students. She would always call them back. ' Jacovelli was a founder of the McClellan Community School, located at McClellan High School, which serves as a community center and offers various 1 See JACOVELLI, Pago 3B O.G. Jacovelli --------- ------------- OMA GLYNN JACOVELLI, 49, ol Utile Rock, died March 13, 1995. She was a homemaker, a member ol the Little Rock School Board and a Baptist. Survivors Include her husband, Paul Jacovelli
son, Jason Ross Jacovelli, ot Little Rock
mother, Sarah Elizabeth Teas, Ft. Smith
two brothers, John P. Teas, Jr. Tulsa, Oklahoma, James H. Teas, Little Rock
two sisters, Dorothy McCartt, Ft. Smith, Mary Beth Ross, Little Rock. Memorial service will be 1 p.m., Wednesday, at the Roller-Drummond Funeral Home Southwest Chapel, with Rev. William Fields officiating. Memorials may be made Io Arkansas Cancer Research Center Tree ol Life, U.A.M.S. Jacovelli Continued from Page 1B classes to Southwest Little Rock residents. She also took a siie-cial interest in band and music programs in the district. Last October, shortly before cancer began taking its toll on her, she visited Chicot Elementary, which was In her district, aRer it was gutted by fire. The visit was one of her last public appearances as board member. "She was a woman of passion, conviction and tenacity, said Ann Brown, federal desegregation monitor. "She fought hard for what she believed was right for children. We lost a very Applicants sought to fill vacant seat The Little Kock School Board will solicit applica-tion. s for the Zone 7 Southwest Little Kock seat lell vacant by Monday's death of O.G. .lacovelli. Snellen Vann, district spokesman, said district policy requires the board to appoint someone to finish a vacated term. Jacovcili'.s term ends in 1997. Vann said the board had not discussed any possible appointments. regular audience members at Little Rock School Board meetings aRer the announcement of the district's student assignment plan. In 1987, she became a candidate for the board In a three-way race for Zone 7, which resulted in a runoff that December with Douglas Hardin. Jacovelli won, with 81 percent of the votes. When re-elected last September, Jacovelli wa.s relieved. "I take thi.s to mean that I am in touch with the public and I should keep on doing what I am doing. Jacovelli said the night of the election. great lady. .lacovelli wa.s born raised in Fayetteville. She was active in the Fayetteville High School band, playing the clarinet and eventually the saxophone. li, who was in the Navy. The two and had a son. Seventeen years ago, when her husband took a job willi AT&T, the familj moved to Pn-laski County, where her son wa.s a student in the Pulaski And she always dreamed of County Special School District, being a nurse, Ross said. Ja- She volunteered in the school coveili attended Sparks Nursing district, serving as a room moth- School in Fort Smith but never gradnated. In recent years, she had a part time job at the Kroger pharmac.v on Shackleford Koad in Little Kock. er and becoming active in the Parent Teacher.s Association. When her school was annexed to Little Kock's district, she became even more active in While in Fayetteville, she education affairs. .lacovelli, her met and married Paul Jacovel- husband and licr sister became Arkansas Democrat FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1995 SWLR candidates sought to serve on school board The Little Rock School Information on the exact Board is seeking applications boundaries is available at the - - Pulaski County Election Com
from Southwest Little Rock residents to fill a board vacancy for six months. Applications for the board seat are available at the school mission office or the Pulaski County Board of Education office, both at the county administration building at 201 S. districts administration build- Broadway. _ ing at 810 W. Markham St. School board members don t To aualifv for the seat, left va- receive salaries. qualify The person the remaining six cant by board member O.G. Ja- ' - - covellis death Monday, appli- board members select to fill the cants must be registered voters position will serve until the next school board election in in Pulaski County and live with- ---------- in the boundaries of Zone 7 of September. At that time, the ap- the school board election zones. The zone encompasses the pointee may choose to run for election to represent Zone 7 for the rest of the term, which ex- southwestern part of Little Rock, including most of the pires in September 1997. The deadline for applying area south of Base Line Road. It also includes a section south for the board seat will be in ear- of Stagecoach Road and west of ly April, 15 days after a legal n^ Chicot Road, tice of the vacancy is published.Arkansas Democrat . SATURDAY, MARCH 18,1995 CoDWWht O UtB Rock Nwpaofj. Inc. O. G. Jacovelli You didnt have to agree with Oma Glynn Jacovelli to adniire her moxie, her dedication to Little Rocks public schools, and the way she always returned phone calls. Mrs. Jacovelli was the kind of citizen-legislator who explains why America works, or anyway why it used to. Her death at the age of 49 this week came as one more blow to a school district that doesnt need any more problems. Count among the mourners the community. It occurs to us at times like these that if every school district had more 0. G. Jacovellis, there would be a lot fewer problems for leaders like her to raise sand about In the end, the solution to the tangled web that all three of the school districts in Pulaski County have so artfully and so long spun around each other doesnt depend on courts or legislatures, but on citizens themselves. If we all just leave education to somebody else, instead of following Mrs. Jacovellis lead, those problems will never be resolved, certainly not the way they should be. Oma Glynn Jacovellis greatest legacy to public education remains her example.WEDNESDAY. MARCH 29,1995 4 seek to fill seat I I on school board opened in SWLR BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazette Education Writer Four Southwest Little Rock residents have applied for the Little Rock School Board vacancy created by the March 13 death of O.G. Jacovelli. So far. the field includes two businessmen, a retired teacher and a community activist. The application deadline is Monday. The school board is advertising, for applicants to fill the position temporarily until the September 1995 school board election. Applicants must be registered voters who live within school board Election Zone 7. which encompasses much of Southwest Little Rock. The present six board members will choose a member from the pool of applicants. The appointment will expire in September when the next regular school board election is held. The appointed member is eligible to run for election then. The four applicants are Douglas Hardin, who ran unsuccessfully for a board position in 1987
Nola Nelms, who retired as a teacher from the Little Rock district three years ago
Dave Cooley, who owns his own lamination supply company
and Paul Howell,.president of the .Arkansas Council of Vietnam Veterans of America. Hardin, 53, is the credit manager at Jungkind Photo-Graphic. He
is a 1960 graduate of Central High School and a 1965 graduate of what is now the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He and hisjwife. Sharon, who works for the' Internal Revenue Service, have two children: a son who will grstduate this year from Central Hi^ and a daughter who will griluate this spring from Notre Dame University. Hardin ran for the Zone 7 board position in 1987 and came in second in a three-way race. He lostthe runoff election to Jacov- ellL I'ive always been interested in the school district and have tried to keep up with it, Hardin said Tuesday. He said he is interested in helping the district improve security, manage its budget and bring an end to court supervision of the district in the 12-year-old school desegregation lawsuit Nelms. 63, worked for the Little Rock district for 23 years at Carver, Romine and Stephens elementary schools before retiring. She has worked 40 years as a teacher after beginning her career in Texas. The mother of two adult daughters. Nelms has a bachelor's degree from the University of -Arkansas at Fayetteville and a masters degree from UALR. Much of her experience in Little Rock came in inner-city schools where the focus has been on raising the achievement levels of black children while enticing whites to voluntarily attend the schools to improve their racial balance. Ive seen a lot of changes in 23 years, Nelms said. Weve made some mistakes, but there are a lot of good things too. Like Hardin, she also said she wanted to help the district meet its desegregation obligations and end the lawsuit. Both Nelms and Hardin said they would be interested in running for election in September. Howell and Cooley could not be reached for comment about their candidacies Tuesday. Cooleys son-in-law said Cooley owns his own business in North Little Rock. Howell is best known for his work in the state on behalf of veterans of the Vietnam War. A former U.S. Marine, he is president of the Arkansas Council of Vietnam Veterans of America. He also is vice president of the Chicot Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association, which has worked hard over the past several months to convince the Little Rock School District to rebuild the school, which arson partially destroyed last October. He most recently sought an appointment to fill a vacancy on the Little Rock Board of Directors.Arkansas Democrat '^(Bazcttc TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1995 3 more apply for LRSD board seat BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazette Education Writer Three more people submitted applications by Mondays deadline to fill a Little Rock School Board vacancy, bringing the number of applicants for the boards Zone 7 position to seven. Zone 7 encompasses much of Southwest Little Rock. The vacancy was created by the March 13 death of Oma O.G. Jacovelli. The remaining six board members will appoint a person from the applicant pool to serve until the September school board election. The three latest candidates to submit applications are Tina Gatson, Claudius Johnson and Stephanie Johnson. Claudius Johnson, 44. is director of the Dunbar Recreation Center and a 20-year Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department employee. He and his wife Anita have two sons and three daughters who attend Booker Elementary, Magnet Arts Cloverdale Junior High, Henderson Junior High and Parkview High School. He graduated from Philander Smith College with a degree in physical education, and has done postgraduate studies at the University of Arkansas. Gatson. 36, is executive director of the George Washington Carver and College Station branches of the YMCA. She has two sons, who attend McClellan High School and Chicot Elementary School. She is past president of the Chicot Parent Teacher Association. Gatson is a graduate of Portland State University in Portland, Ore. She had a double major of psychology and elementary education. She moved to Little Rock in 1982. Stephanie Johnson, an employee at the Arkansas Department of Health, could not be reached Monday.Arkansas Democraf^Q^azcttc | FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1995 Ol/ KlowcnarKrc Inz* LR School Board names Johnson to fill seat of late Jacovelli BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazene Education Writer The Little Rock School Board has chosen Stephanie Johnson, a one with tenacity, creativity, objectivity and commitment to service, My desire is to do whatever it takes to make me an effective board member, she said. In response to a question about her views on hiring private project director at the state Department of Health, to temporarily nil the Zone 7 vacancy creat- ----------- _ ed when O.G. Jacovelli died companies to operate the ais- March 13. tricts nonacademic departments. The board voted unanimously Johnson said she was a firm be- Thursday to se- i----- lect Johnson ! after publicly interviewing each of the six applicants for liever in promoting private business. But she also said she would have to know details about the cost of any contract, its feasibility and its impact on einployees, One area I would like to im- uie vacancy, C* prove is the image of the district *hen spending Johnson said, Obviously, there about an hour are a lot of negative images out in a closed ses- j u* there, and people have negative sron, l' 1 perceptions. ' Johnson will Johnson "This district has so much to serve on the offer. Students who are on the board until the annual school right track truly know the strength of the district and its pro- the Kt election in September. She can run then for election from Zone 7, which encompasses much of Southwest Little Rock. The can- grams. Others interviewed included Tina Gatson, director of the didate elected in September will George Washington Carver YMCA
serve until September 1997. Dave Cooley, owner of a lamina- Johnson, who has a psychology tion business
Claudius Johnson, degree from the University of Ar- director of Dunbar Recreational kansas at Little Rock, administers Center
Paul Howell, a communi- a health promotion project at the ty activist
and Douglas Hardin, op- Health Department, The project is erations and credit manager for aimed at preventing school jungkind Photo-Graphic, dropouts, substance abuse and teen pregnancy through training in Like Johnson, several of the candidates had experience work- leadership and job skills, ing with youths. Others had finan- Johnsons primaiy duties in- ciai expertise. All but Stephanie elude developing curriculum for Johnson, who is single, have chil- training programs, budgeting, drgn, some of whom are adults, writing grants and monitoring the program. ' Tve been very involved with youth and children here in the city of the Little Rock. Johnson told the board. "Quite frankly. Ive been on the other side of the fence, meaning that when I meet the children they've already been declared dysfunctional and may already be out of the school system, she sajd. :: -I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to have sorne input on how to keep children in school, to get their test scores up and to present a more positive image of the district. She described herself as some-4B FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1995 Teacher hearing halted as LR panel seeks legal opinion BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazette Education Writer The Little Rock School Board will ask the state attorney general for an opinion on whether each of 99 teachers objecting to salary cuts proposed for next! year is entitled to a separate hearing before the board. Board ponders bid to raise tax The boards decision Thursday "t to seek the opinion cut lyight snort short a planned combined hear- ing for 48 of the 99 teachers. Representatives of the Classroom Teachers Association objected to the combined hearing, saying there were no legal provisions for such a proceeding and their members hadnt agreed to it. The Arkansas Teacher Fair Dismissal Act gives teachers the right to ask for a school board hearing upon being notified by a superintendent that changes in the terms and conditions of their contract will reduce their pay for the next school year. Late last month, the Little Rock district sent certified letters telling 2,500 teachers and administrators that Superintendent Henry Williams had recom- mended that the board cut the work year by two or three days next year, with salaries cut accordingly. Williams is also recommending against incremental pay increases for eligible teachers who traditionally get them for their additional year of experience. The school board has made no final decisions on the recom- mended contract changes. Board members are awaiting the outcome of contract negotiations between district administrators and the Classroom Teachers Association. Brady Gadberry, the districts director of labor relations, argued that the board could hold ar- combined public hearing for the 48 teachers Thursday because each cases circumstances a are identical and no privacy issues are involved. He also said that the contract with teachers and discrimination laws prohibit the board from treating one employee or group of employees differently than any other employee in the same situation. BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazette Education Writer Little Rock School Board members remained undecided Thursday about whether to ask voters in September to approve a tax increase. At their agenda meeting, board members asked Superintendent Henry Williams for information on how much money each additional property tax mill would raise for the schools and how many mills would be necessary to keep the district solvent. Williams asked tlie board to think about whether a millage proposal would be feasible, how the money generated by a millage increase should be spent and how a millage campaign might be conducted. District officials are trying to make about $9 million in cuts and adjustments to balance next years budget. At this time last year, the board had to cut about $7 million in expenses to avoid an illegal deficit in the current year. Williams has said similar cuts might have to continue in subsequent years. The district, which last obtained a millage increase in 1990, has a 43.9-mill tax rate. It isn't among the 135 districts in the state that must seek a tax increase this year to avoid a 10 percent income tax surcharge on their patrons in 1996 as the result of a recent legislative act aimed at districts that dont meet minimum millage requirements for support of schools. The Little Rock district will get a small financial boost from the sale of property adjacent to Forest Heights Junior High School. The board Thursday approved the sale of the University Avenue property for $115,000 to the Mark V. Williamson Co. Inc., an insurance and bonds company. Frank Martin, CTA executive Bestir said she wanted an indi- I* Yidual hearing to get answers to naan t had time to consult with questions about whv the hoard its members about a group hearing and couldn't override an em- questions about why the board wont take actions, such as closing schools, that are more permanent solutions to the districts ployees legal right to a hearing. ov.uuuus lo They have a right to a hear- budget problems mg. and we believe it is a right teacher for 16 Bestir, a Iig ana we neiievci it is a right teacher for 18 years, said she to an individual hearing, he hasn't gotten a salary increase in Said. fwn vparc hpranco u 7
, two years because she is ineligi- .liJh ** I incremental increase. Teacher Jennifer Farley said proposed budget cuts for next teachers didn't get notice of the liearing set for Thursday until . 1 ''' cosThe'ras mucii nev and benefits, ney for the CTA, said that while Once an employee requests a rontrlct''r,?dn'r ^ r ' *"'"K. the board is obligated to contract reduction notices, conduct it within five to 10 days teachers niight have iiidividiial unless both the board and the defenses that might cause their employee agree in writing to a contracts to be renewed without delay. Additional employees cnanges. could ask for hearings hetwopn as After the meeting, teacher Jo between now and May 30.I Arkansas Democrat ^(Bazcttc WEDNESDAY, JULY 26,1995 OMalley chooses not to seek return to LRSD school board T. Kevin OMalley, a member of the Little Rock School Board since 1993, said Tuesday that he will not seek re-election in September to the Zone 2 position. OMalley cited family and job responsibilities as his reasons for not running for another term. A staff attorney for the Arkansas Board of Review, OMalley and his wife have two young sons. As of Tuesday, no one had filed as a candidate from Zone 2, which encompasses central Little Rock, including the Broadmoor and University Park neighborhoods near the campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Also, no candidates have filed for the Zones 4 and 7 positions on the board, but the incumbents, John A. Riggs IV and Stephanie Johnson, have announced that they intend to run. Zone 4 encompasses northwest Little Rock and Zone 7 covers Southwest Little Rock, including Otter Creek subdivision. The deadline for filing with the Pulaski County Election Commission as a candidate in the Sept. 19 school board elections is Aug. 4.Arkansas Democrat C^azett^ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1995 Jty I I W I CoowWitC UB* Rock Nowkokoera. Inc. New board member says wifes job not nepotism emocrat-Gazstte staff 'The Little Rock School Boards newest member says a district policy against nepotism wont affect his family, although his wife is an instructional aide at Henderson Junior High School. The board has a policy against hiring anyone related to a member of the school board, the superintendent or senior-level administrators who report directly to the superintendent. The policy applies to spouses, siblings, grandparents, parents, children. aunts, uncles and even first cousins. Michael Daugherty said his wife, Sherry, has worked for the district for eight years and was a district employee before the nepotism policy was revised and adopted in 1994. He pointed out a policy clause that says the the policy will be applied prospectively and not affect the employment of anyone who was an employee when the policy adopted. was Daugherty said he conferred with several attorneys before entering the school board race. He produced an Aug. 25 letter from Mark Riable, a Little Rock lawyer, who said that after reviewing state laws and district policy he believed that Sherry Daughertys employment was not an issue Uiat would affect Daughertys candidacy. Daugherty was elected to the board 'Tuesday night in a runoff election against the Rev. Robert Willin^am. Daugherty replaces T. Kevin OMalley on the board.Arkansas Democrat ------- TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7..1995 EDITORIALS r .1 Illi i> II III ii I II III. I H.iiiiimil HIIiHIHH lU li !iJi I MI J School games in Little Rock A wake-ufj call to tlie school board A patron of Little Rocks scliool districtn. Baker Kurris, wlio has three cliildren in the public schoolspretty well summed up the publics disgust with politics-as-usual on the local school board. We are out here trying to recruit parents to the schools, he said of parents like himself, while members of the school board are rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Here the school district is facing bankniptcy as desegregation hinds from the state nin out
a big contract for janitorial services turns out to be legally dubious
the school district is still mired in the i web of the law, complete with the usual legal fees
and yet the board cant find anything better to do tlian play games with its school superintendents contract. Henry Williams, the first superintendent in years who shows promise of hanging around for a good while, now has been denied the conventional third-year extension of his contractby a vote of 4-to-3. Its clear that the school district has problemsand potentialon a large scale. During the last school year, a total of 4,!58O students left the district or 18 percent of enrollment. Yet the school district doesnt conduct exit interviews, and so can't report the reasons families give for leaving little Rocks public schools. Amazing. And sad. After all these years, the district still doesnt conduct the most rudimentary survey to find out why its I losing students. Any private outfit . that kissed off its clientele this way
wouldnt be in business very long. Its as though the school system still hasn't realized its in a service : business and needs to learn some things about marketing. Many par-
enis understand tlie problem, which is why theyre organizing a group (Parents in Public Schools) that would let patrons address the board and the bureaucracy with a united voiceand also tell tlie rest of us about the good tilings tliat go on in Little Rocks schools. It should be no surprise by now tliat the school district must attract more students if its going to maintain standards. To quote one finding by a committee of citizens that is drawing up a strategy for the school district: The current trend of declining student enrollment must be reversed, since future State revenue will be based on the number of students in the District Any interested observer can make some good giesses about why the district is losing students, just from reading interviews in the paper. Families are worried about discipline in the schools. Parents dont see enough other parents getting involved. 'The public, especially now, needs to see the superintendent and school board working together to attack the districts problems. Instead, the patrons see the board vote 4-to-3 against extending Dr. Williams contract There is talk about sending him a message, and nimors about some members wanting to replace him, and other fun- andgames. Meanwhile, business piles up. serious No matter how many businesses relocate to Little Rock, or how much construction is approved at the polls, no city can prosper if its public schools dont With the danger signs mounting, and conscientious parents coming together to lobby for the schools, what is the school board doing? Fooling with the superintendents contract Anybody who wants to send Hank Williams a message needs to consider using the U.S. Mails or Southwestern Bell
votes at school board meetings should not be conftised with Western Union. Speaking of sending a message, somebody needs to tell this school board to wake up and get serious. Because education is serious business. Not just for students and their families but for the whole community. This is Little Rocks future the public schools are shaping Or misshaping i1 Arkansas Democrat j -------- FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1995 -------- 90 minutes per class up for study NLR board weighs changing schedule BY SUSAN ROTH Democrat-Gazette Education Writer North Little Rock High School students could have radically different schedules next fall if the school board approve.s a proposal to extend class periods to 90 minutes. Students at both the east and west campuses of the high school now have seven-period day.s with 50 minutes for each class. Under the new plan presented to the school board Thursday, they would have four extended class periods each day. Several board members applauded the proposal, but they did not take a vote. Administrators asked the board to consider Teachers say theyre working harder than ever before, but they would never go back, Chadwick said. ^ost administrators and teachers-at both schools are solidly behind the proposal. Several spoke enthusiastically about how working together on the research had dramatically boosted teacher morale. Some teachers are concerned about scheduling for foreign language classes and athletics, but Chadwick said everything can be worked out Were newcomers to this, but so many others have already waded through these waters and answered these questions. he said. Teachers said students are skeptical about having longer classes, but they may like having room for an extra elective. "Students are stressed out. They have too much going on at once. said Bryan Duffie. a math teacher at the east campus who helped develop the plan. We think this can relieve some of their daily stress, and if we can alleviate some of that, it would help." Student stress could be re- lieved by having only four classes the plan at its January meeting so' instead of seven, some noted. they can put it into effect next fall. There are two possible schedOf the usual 50-minute period, only 27 minutes are considered quality instructional time be- ule plans for this block schedul- cause of interruptions, discipline ing concept. Students either See CLASSES, Page 3B would have the same four classes every day for a semester and then take four different classes at midyear, or they would take a total of eight classes at once, with four each day on alternating days for the entire year. Groups of teachers and administrators from each school spent ! the past two years researching similar programs at other high schools around thecountry. Educators say the longer class- Classes Continued from Page 2B and paperwork, said Anita es improve student discipline and j grades as well as teacher creativ- i ily. In the past six to eight years, : the concept has become the latest i thing in secondary education, es- ' Cameron, vice principal at the west campus. In addition to the additional class time, Cameron said, the new schedule would
Allow teachers more time for planning and preparation because they would get a 90-minute prep period each day. Provide enough time for teachers to present complete concepts. Improve students comprehension by immersing them in the subject Reduce the chaos and disciplinary problems associated with class changes by cutting them from six a day to three. Foster innovations in teaching and allow more time for extra student participation, experimentation, lab work and guest presentations. pecially in other Southern states. ! In Arkansas, 12 to 15 schools have some version of block sched- I tditig while many others are I studying the idea, said Dana i tliadwick, director of North Little Rock secondary school administration. Chadwick said experts believe block scheduling will , .soon completely replace the tra- i (litional seven-period day.I [End spats FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1995 LR board 9 A- rr is advised Find solutions or face disaster, patrons say BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazette Education Writer Prominent Little Rock School District patrons appealed to school board members Thursday night to quit their political in- lighting and, instead, seek solutions to desegregation and money problems that are threatening to bankrupt the citys education system. r*ir. / 4m*- 'M L4^\ J ^. ^aZ-s-^ 1? Sj nf? SO .KS .. Mtjf t. -M* In an unusual demonstration of community interest in the health of the public schools, corporate chief executive officers, parents, former school board members, community activists and Gov. Jim Guy Tucker turned .r' 1 'S hi* out for the special meeting Tucker did not speak. Little Rock School District Superintendent Henry Williams We need to transcend the di- members listen Thursday night as visiveness, the bitterness the reversing the racism and the mistrust and de- enrollment their top priority. Shulls and seven vote our full attentionand resources to the essential task of Little Rock School District student to meet the challenges of the 21st centu- ly. Baker Kurrus, a father and lawyer, told the board. Arkansas Democral-Gazelta/DAVID GOTTSCHALK Other speakers expressed concern for the school district and appealed to administrators to resolve the districts financial and desegregation-related problems during a special meeting called in response to parents' petitions. The board called the special meeting in response to petitions from more than 500 district pa- irons. About 125 people attended the orderly session, during u/ninh AirU4- _______I______ which eight speakers renewed their commitment to the district but also chastised the district J , spelled out what would happen if the system goes bankrupt. Several speakers also asked the board to extend Superintendent Henry Williams two-year contract so he will have the full three-year contract permitted by state law. The board voted 4-3 against the extension Oct. 31. Williams has said repeatedly in recent months that the district IS scheduled to lose $5 million in state desegregation funds next year. The loss of those funds coupled with loss of state aid due to a declining student rollment, means the district i en- - -UlULtltl can- 'r"Plemeiit all parts I desegregation 31an, Williams has said. The district has cut about $7 nillion in expenses in each of ---I------- **i cavil UI he past two years but will have 0 close some schools next year See LRSD, Page 16AArkansas Democrat (gazelle FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1995 LRSD . Continued from Page 1A to save money. .Rhett Tucker, the chairmanelect of the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and the father of two public school students, announced he will make state takeover. A 1995 statute allows the state to take over systems in distress. Such a takeover been achieved. But he warned that the aging plan is causing resegregation must be modified im- could result in the replacement of mediately. He urged the parties in the 13-year old court case to be the superintendent and staff, a new board election or the annexa- diplomatic, bold, unselfish and tion of the district to another more viable district. He asked district courageous. The five school board mem- ofiicials to make improvement hers at the meeting listened quiplans now before they are direct- etly to the presentation, which support of the public schools his ed to do so by the state. was interrupted six times by loud Surely local control is better applause, but made no comment top priority during his term. , Jhe well-being of the city and its people depend on the health of. the district. Tucker said, recalling a time a few years ago when a Fortune 500 company considered Little Rock as a site for its business. Three days of ap- than yet another external influ- ence, another cook in the kitchen, Argue said. at the conclusion of the session. Later, board member Katherine Mitchell said the unprece- Ben Smith, one of the founders dented meeting lifted her out of of the new Parents for Public Schools, told the board that he is aware of the districts attributes. the despair she often feels about the districts problems. It made me feel really good, pointments between company and city officials were planned. But. after corporate executives which are rarely publicized she said. I didnt know that such as the scholarships students many people were knowledge- earn and learning programs. He able about the district and its reqd newspaper accounts of said his organization wants to problems. .scjiool district problems, they serve as the messenger to the But board member Michael canceled their appointments and public about the quality of the Daugherty said the group was lefl'town. .The next 18 months are criticalto the future of public educa- tidri in our city, Tucker said. We believe that the time is now schools. preaching to the choir Thursday Steve Shults, a Little Rock night. He said board members lawyer, asked the board to make it a No. 1 priority to stem the enare well aware of the problems. As for administrative stability, he rollment declines and then work said Williams creates that insta- for-bold new action. The business energetically to make prudent bility by looking for other jobs in community stands ready to do budget decisions. He said the board should focus what we can to be of assistance, he said. other cities. Other board members in atten- on what is best for students, not dance were John Riggs IV, presi- on the desires of any special in[ We can supply a lot of volun- in- dent Linda Pondexter and Pat eer help, and business and fi- terest group of parents, employ- Gee. Absent were Judy Magness ancial expertise and experience you will only ask John Steuri, cliairman and chief executive of- licer of Alltel Information Sys- ees or others. Further, it should and Sue Strickland. extend Williams contract, Shults said, citing Williams reputation as an effective leader who has tejns. told the board. made strides in managing the de- i We care and we want to help, segregation plan and budget bijt the bickering and the person- problems. We need Dr. Henry Williams aljattacks and the personal agen- das have got to stop, and everyone has got to work together to with all of his energy, creativeness, diligence and experience to help us resolve this mess were stthve these problems, he said. It is clear that there are highly in, Steuri said. Since JuneJ.982, diisruptive forces in this commu- ' nijty who are profiting from this mpss and are hurting our schools arid the children whom we are weve had seven superintendents or acting superintendents in this school district. How do we expect parents to stay in our school district when we cannot even provide an environment where superintendents want to stay? Kurrus said: The more than desperately trying to educate. I am concerned that we will spend 1997 observing the 40th anniversary of the Central High Crisis of 1957 by experiencing yet 500 people who petitioned for another embarrassing, damaging this meeting have told you in a arid unnecessary public school very dramatic way that they care about this district, that they care about its students and that they party to that. care about the future of this com- :Rep. Jim Argue, D-Little Rock munity. He told the board that many of crlsis, Steuri said. And I don't think that any of us want to be a aftd the father of two public school students, warned the board the components of the districts th^t financial ruin could lead to a complex desegregation plan haveAricansas Democrat gazette FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1995 The choir is out of tune In response to Little Rock School Board member Michael Daughertys remark that me group was preaching to the choir at the 7 meeting, let me say to Daugherty that the choir is singing out of tune, and it is the congregation that must listen and the congregation that must suffer. What a pity that sitting in the congregation are our children M.W.SMYLY Little Rock2B THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1996 Pulaski Arkansas Democrat ngr (gazette LRSD to halt televising special school board meetings oemocrawiazBite Edurata^iwter members conferred with and students ns nart nf tcicH. , __ n. I uTT superintendent over an R^k School Di^ict dent where he threatened a news- 1. ., paper photographer. Sueilen Vann, the districts di- plans to stop televising the school boards special meetings and agenda meetings because of a lack of money. conferred with and students as part of a televi- nt production course at Metropolitan Vocational Technical Skills Center, Vann said. inci- thou^t that broadcasting the dis- rector of communications, said this week that the district will I^e change generated a hand- continue to televise the regiiiar fill of complaints to the distnct board meetings held the fourth last week when a special school Thursday of each month. There is bo^ meetingthe first meeting no direct cost to the district for meetings because broadcast During that meeting, they are produced by a teacher The district has televised the regular monthly meetings for several years on Comcast Cable Television Channel 4. Almost a year ago, the district started broadcasting its special and agenda board meetings because board members were trying to cut the districts budget and tnougnt Up until now, broadcasts of the cussioM would be important to special meetings and agenda j . meetings were produced by said the special meeting Bruce Miles. Miles is a district broadcasts were not budgeted for teacher, but he has his own video school year. She took money production company from other p^ of her communi- He produced the meetings cations department bu^et to pay through a business arrangement for broadcaste dunng the first se- between the district and his com- mester. Tom^ts 5 p.m. agenda pany at about $50 an hour, Vann meeting will be televised, but it said. will be the last such broadcast, Vann said. agenda It's not practical to expect the teacher and his students to pro- I I duce all the meetings, Vann said. Many of the students have afterschool jobs and the special meetings are ftequently scheduled by the board with less than a days notice. Additionally, students have transportation problems getting to and from the meetings, which are held in the districts downtown administration building. The meetings often run late into the evening'"A^sasPemocrat^i^^g^ MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5,1996 Uniforms and the fight against TASS , Michael Daugherty called the other day with an update on hijand now the presidentsidea to require that students in public schools wear uniforms. The still-new member of Little Rocks school board wants everybody to know that hes making good on his campaign pledge. He proudly reports that, as of February 1st uniforms were to be required for students in Little Rocks alternative schools. These are the kids most at risk to be^n with, he says. Its a big test case for getting (uniforms) districtwide. Will it work? Who knows? But if it means schools will be safer, lets give it a whirl Besides, some of us remember uniforms as a way to eliminate one more distraction when kids are on the lookout for any at all. When battling TASSTeenage Attention Span Syndrome-teachers need all the help they can get (A note to critics
Uniforms dont give the false impression that all students are the same, just that theyre all in the same boat) We cant wait to see how the new classroom attire works in the alters native schools. Congratulations, Mr. Daugherty, on accomplishing the extraordinary
You ve kept a campaign promise. Talk about brazen. ( i 1Arkansas Democrat W (gazette THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1996 New school board needed ' Seven superintendents in the Little Rock school system in the past nine years. It should be quite apparent to any and all thinking people that what is needed is a new school board, not a new superintendent ' That is a shameful record. DAVID W. HANSON - - Fairfield BayARKANSAS TIMES APRIL 5. 1996 T1 le Insider In transit The question isnt if, but when and under what terms Henry Williaiiis will depart as Little Rock school superintendent. The Insider has learned that a lawyer for the School Board (or should we say a lawyer See page 3 796756 0 6 Coniiniied from page I dispatched for the Board by President Linda Pondexter) and a lawyer for Williams met for the first time Tuesday to hammer out details of a buyout. .Jerry Malone of the Friday firm and James Penick reponedly tu e handling the chores for the Board and Wil- liams.respectively. Williams$115.(XX) contract runs through the 1996-97 school year. What's next Will the Little Rock School Board (or Czarina Pondexter) be ready with a replacement superintendent to spring on an unsuspecting public when they spring the Williams settlement? No. look for appointment of an interim management committee to run the district until a replacement is chosen. Names mentioned as possible participants on such a committee
Associate Superintendent Vic Anderson
Mann Magnet Principal Marian Lacey, and ad man Skip Rutherford, who helped write the current desegregation plan while a member of the School Board. Power mad Add School Board Member Mike Daugherty to the list of of public officials who believe their position exempts them from rule.s of common courtesy. After Pulaski Heights Junior High Principal Mona Briggs wrote Daugherty to object to the School Boards decision to reject janitorial schedule changes meant to improve efficiency, Daugherty responded: You asked why I didnt ask for input from you prior to voting for the change. If the truth be known, I neither desire nor
This project was supported in part by a Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives project grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Council on Library and Information Resoources.

<dcterms_creator>Little Rock School District</dcterms_creator>