Capital improvements

LESLIE V. CARMINE 810 WEST MARKHAM * LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 Dear Elementary School Parents, Faculty and Staff: 1 hope you will join me in supporting Building a Better Little Rock. The Little Rock PTA Council has endorsed its passage. It will provide much-needed funds for sidewalks and playgrounds. Passage will make a big difference at each of our 35 elementary schools. Sidewalks within 1/2 mile of every elementary school will be added or improved. As we move toward neighborhood schools, I cant begin to tell you how much this will mean to us in terms of safety and accessibility. For years, parents and teachers have been seeking new and improved sidewalks. In addition, over $50,000 will be provided to each elementary school to enhance its school playground. The school district and the city will partner in this program to make school playgrounds better and safer. This means our PTAs will be able to use their resources for other projects besides playground improvements and maintenance. As superintendent, 1 certainly believe our schoolsand our childrenare worth voting for. Thats why 1 hope you will join with many school patrons in voting one cent for Building a Better Little Rock at the special election on Tuesday, May 25th. There are two issues on the ballot: 3/4 cent for capital improvements (sidewalk and playground construction included) and 1 /4 cent for operations (sidewalk and maintenance included.) The 3/4 cent is temporary and ends after 60 months. Please vote for both issues. There are also some other important facts you need to know. First, the Little Rock city sales tax is lower than the rates in Jacksonville, Bryant, Conway, Benton and Cabot. That may surprise you, because it did me. Second, over 30 percent of the people who pay sales tax in Little Rock live outside our city. That means those who come to Little Rock to work or shop will pay a significant portion of the cost. In the Little Rock School District we have big dreams for our children. Please help them come true by voting FOR Capital Improvements and FOR Operations on May 25th. Sincerely, Les Gamine Paid for by The Committee to Build a Better Little Rock, P.O. Box 1706, Little Rock, AR 72203 Janet Jones, Treasurer What will Building A Better Little Rock mean for our elementary school playgrounds? fc' i- - I 1^1' P An important special election will be held Tuesday, May 25. This election has two significant parts: The temporary 3/4 cent capital improvement program will I provide funding (over $50,000 for each school) to upgrade s elementary school playgrounds at our elementary schools: Badgett, Bale, Baseline, Booker, Brady, Carver, Chicot, Cloverdale, Dodd, Fair Park, Forest Park, Franklin, Fulbright, Garland, Geyer Springs, Gibbs, Jefferson, King, Mabelvale, McDermott, Meadowcliff, Mitchell, Otter Creek, Pulaski Heights, Rightsell, Rockefeller, Romine, Terry, Wakefield, Washington, Watson, Western Hills, Williams, Wilson and WhndrnfF- Iw The 1/4 cent will provide for annual operations of recreational facilities as well as construction and maintenance of sidewalks around ____________ elementary school sites. w' V OPPORTUNITIES Provide safe and accessible playground equipment and sidewalks. The City will work wnth the Little Rock School District, neighborhood associations, PTAs and school patrons to design playgrounds that meet the needs of those who use them. $300,000 will be made available every year in perpetuity upon passage of the 1/4 cent for sidewalks and maintenance, enabling safe, accessible walkways. '7 CAST TWO VOTES FOR BUILDING A BETTER LITTLE ROCK: FOR Capital Improvements and FOR Operations Paid for by the Committee lb Build A Better Little Rock P.O. Box 1706 Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 Janet Jones, TreasurerBoard of Directors Dr. Katherine Mitchell, Zone 1 Little Rock School District 8 low. Markham Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1367 Little Rock, AR Mike Daugherty, Zone 2 Judy Magness, Zone 3 Baker Kurrus, Zone 4 received Larry Berkley, Zone 5 MAVl w Tony Rose, Zone 6 Sue Strickland, Zone 7 March 2001 FROM: RE: Leslie V. Carnine, Superintendent of Schools 'jv
Status of Capital Improvements Dtg^ Last year the voters of Little Rock agreed to fund major repairs and renovations needed in our school buildings and to upgrade technology throughout the school district. The Board of Directors of the Little Rock School District and 1 recognize that you should know how your dollars are being invested in our schools. The Board approved an accountability policy so that community residents will receive regular updates on the status of these projects. On the reverse side of this sheet you will find a brief summary of the status of the phase one projects. You will note that a large number of projects are currently in the design phase. The architects are working with the Campus Leadership Team of each school to develop the scope of work for major repairs and renovations. We want to ensure that the work that is being done will provide the greatest benefit for the individual schools. Its important for you to remember that you are a big part of our success through the tax dollars you pay to support our teachers and students. We are always mindful of our responsibility to continue to provide quality education to the children of our community and to meet our commitments to you, our patrons. Thank you for your continuing support. ^Leslie Superi
ai le ndent of SchoolsLittle Rock School District: Status of Building Renovations/Repairs In May 2000 voters in Little Rock approved a millage increase to pay for major repairs and renovations to our schools and to upgrade technology in all buildings. We promised that we would provide regular reports to the community on the status of these projects, and this list provides that information. Additionally, a Technology Plan has been approved and is being implemented. Additional information will be provided as we move forward in that effort. Americans with Disabilities Act projects: Architect has been selected
contract in negotiation. Asbestos removal: Contract between LRSD and Architect executed. Complete Badgett Cafeteria Southwest Scope of Work/In Design Brady Elem. Mabelvale Elem. Summer 2(X)1 Badgett - remainder of bldg. Dodd Elemenatry Meadowcliff Elem. Fair Park Hall High School Henderson Middle - partial Watson Elem. Building Additions/Renovations: For the following projects, either the Campus Leadership Teams currently are assisting architects in developing the scope of work, or the projects are in the design phase: Badgett Addition Badgett HVAC Renovation Badgett Fire Alarm Bale Addition/Renovation Booker fire alarm system Brady Addition Bldg. Energy Mgmt. Systems Carver Drainage Correction Carver Parking Addition Central High Major Addition Central Front Landing Repair Central Fire Alarm System (Summer 2001) Quigley Stadium Structural Repair Cloverdale Middle Repairs Dodd HVAC Dunbar Middle J. A. Fair Addition/Roof Repairs Fair Park HVAC Forest Park HVAC/Parking Franklin Renovation Fulbright HVAC/Parking Hall High Major Addition Jefferson Renovation Transportation Resurface Lot Mabelvale Elem. HVAC Oakhurst HVAC Otter Creek Addition/Parking Parkview High Renovation/Roof Parkview HVAC Parkview Parking Lot Rockefeller HVAC/Parking Lot Romine Renovations Southwest Drainage Corrections Terry Renovations/Parking/Driveway Mabelvale Middle Addition/Renovation Wakefield HVAC/Fire Alarm Mann Major Addition McClellan Major Addition McClellan Stadium Repair McDermott HVAC Meadowcliff Fire Alarm Metropolitan Shop Vent System Watson Renovations Williams Parking Expansion Wilson Renovations/Parking Woodruff Renovation/Parking Admin. Bldg. Fire Alarm System Energy Efficient Lighting: New lighting for Terry, Wakefield, Rockefeller and McDermott is complete
Hall is 90% complete
J. A. Fair is 80% complete
Mitchell is 80% complete
Rightsell, Gibbs, Otter Creek and Washington are in the next phase. For more information about building improvements, please contact Bill Goodman at 324-2262.Board of Directors Dr. Katherine Mitchell, Zone 1 Little Rock School District 8 low. Markham Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1367 Little Rock, AR Mike Daugherty, Zone 2 Judy Magness, Zone 3 Baker Kurrus, Zone 4 #OO6!*************ECRWSS**COO2 LRSD PATRON Larry Berkley, Zone 5 707 N SPRUCE ST LITTLE ROCK AR 72205 Tony Rose, Zone 6 Sue Strickland, Zone 7 March 2001 FROM: RE: Leslie V. Carnine, Superintendent of Schools Status of Capital Improvements Last year the voters of Little Rock agreed to fund major repairs and renovations needed in our school buildings and to upgrade technology throughout the school district. The Board of Directors of the Little Rock School District and I recognize that you should know how your dollars are being invested in our schools. The Board approved an accountability policy so that community residents will receive regular updates on the status of these projects. On the reverse side of this sheet you will find a brief summary of the status of the phase one projects. You will note that a large number of projects are currently in the design phase. The architects are working with the Campus Leadership Team of each school to develop the scope of work for major repairs and renovations. We want to ensure that the work that is being done will provide the greatest benefit for the individual schools. Its important for you to remember that you are a big part of our success through the tax dollars you pay to support our teachers and students. We are always mindful of our responsibility to continue to provide quality education to the children of our community and to meet our commitments to you, our patrons. Thank you for your continuing support. ^Leslie Superii .ai le indent of SchoolsLittle Rock School District: Status of Building Renovations/Repairs In May 2000 voters in Little Rock approved a millage increase to pay for major repairs and renovations to our schools and to upgrade technology in all buildings. We promised that we would provide regular reports to the community on the status of these projects, and this list provides that information. Additionally, a Technology Plan has been approved and is being implemented. Additional information will be provided as we move forward in that effort. Americans with Disabilities Act projects: Architect has been selected
contract in negotiation. Asbestos removal: Contract between LRSD and Architect executed. Complete Badgett Cafeteria Southwest Scope of WorkZIn Design Brady Elem. Mabelvale Elem. Summer 2(X)1 Badgett - remainder of bldg. Dodd Elemenatry Meadowcliff Elem. Fair Park Hall High School Henderson Middle - partial Watson Elem. Building Additions/Renovations: For the following projects, either the Campus Leadership Teams currently are assisting architects in developing the scope of work, or the projects are in the design phase: Badgett Addition Badgett HVAC Renovation Badgett Fire Alarm Bale Addition/Renovation Booker fire alarm system Brady Addition Bldg. Energy Mgmt. Systems Carver Drainage Correction Carver Parking Addition Central High Major Addition Central Front Landing Repair Central Fire Alarm System (Summer 2CX) 1) Quigley Stadium Structural Repair Cloverdale Middle Repairs Dodd HVAC Dunbar Middle J. A. Fair Addition/Roof Repairs Fair Park HVAC Forest Park HVAC/Parking Franklin Renovation Fulbright HVAC/Parking Hall High Major Addition Jefferson Renovation Transportation Resurface Lot Mabelvale Elem. HVAC Oakhurst HVAC Otter Creek Addition/Parking Parkview High Renovation/Roof Parkview HVAC Parkview Parking Lot Rockefeller HVAC/Parking Lot Romine Renovations Southwest Drainage Corrections Terry Renovations/Parking/Driveway Mabelvale Middle Addition/Renovation Wakefield HVAC/Fire Alarm Mann Major Addition McClellan Major Addition McClellan Stadium Repair McDermott HVAC Meadowcliff Fire Alarm Metropolitan Shop Vent System Watson Renovations Williams Parking Expansion Wilson Renovations/Parking Woodruff Renovation/Parking Admin. Bldg. Fire Alarm System Energy Efficient Lighting: New lighting for Terry, Wakefield, Rockefeller and McDermott is complete
Hall is 90% complete
J. A. Fair is 80% complete
Mitchell is 80% complete
Rightsell, Gibbs, Otter Creek and Washington are in the next phase. For more information about building improvements, please contact Bill Goodman at 324-2262.Board of Directors Dr. Katherine Mitchell, Zone 1 Mike Daugherty, Zone 2 Judy Magness, Zone 3 Baker Kurrus, Zone 4 Larry Berkley, Zone 5 Tony Rose, Zone 6 Sue Strickland, Zone 7 Little Rock School District Slow. Markham Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 2608 Little Rock, AR CEI (2 / OfRKOF lESEGREGATIOIfMONITOmNfi RECEIVED AUG -6 2002 OmCEOF DESEGREGATION MONITORING ***********ECRUSS**CO16 44500 RESIDENT 1 RIVIERA CIR ______ LITTLE ROCK, AR 72205-2865 April 2002 TO: Little Rock Residents RE Status of Capital Improvements In May of 2000, the voters of Little Rock agreed to fund major repairs and renovations needed in our school buildings and to upgrade technology throughout the school district. The Board of Directors of the Little Rock School District and I recognize that you should know how your dollars are being invested in your public schools. The Board approved an accountability policy so that community residents will receive regular updates on the status of these projects. On the reverse side of this sheet you will find a brief summary of the status of the projects. You will note that a large number of projects have been completed, many are under construction, and many are in the design phase. Our Campus Leadership Teams - including parents, community representatives, faculty and staff continue to work with architects to develop the scope of work for major renovation/repair projects. Major improvements have begun at a number of schools, including Hall and Central. Architectural plans are almost complete for the replacement building at Horace Mann. Its important for you to remember that you are a big part of our success through the tax dollars you pay to support our teachers and students. We are always mindful of our responsibility to continue to provide quality education to the children of our community and to meet our commitments to you, our patrons. Thank you for your continuing support. T. Kenneth James Superintendent of Schools Additional bond funded projects planned for future phases are not included here. As we proceed into those planning phases, the projects will appear in future reports. Some maintenance projects that will be funded by the dedicated millage that voters approved also do not appear in this report. For more information about building improvements, please contact Bill Goodman at 447-1146. Construction reports are posted at the end of every month on the LRSD website: www.LRSD.orgBOND PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED School Alternative Learning Ctr. Alternative Learning Ctr. Badgett Bale Bale Bale Booker Booker Booker Booker Carver Central Central Central Cloverdale Elem. Cloverdale Middle Dodd Dodd Facilities Service Fair Park Fair Park J. A. Fair J. A. Fair J. A. Fair Forest Park Fulbright Fulbright Gibbs Gibbs Hall Hall Hall Hall Henderson Henderson Henderson Jefferson Laidlaw Mabelvale Elem. Mabelvale Middle Mann Project Energy monitoring system Energy efficient lighting Partial asbestos abatement Energy monitoring system Partial roof replacement HVAC Energy efficient lighting Energy monitoring system Asbestos abatement Fire alarm Energy monitoring system Ceiling and wall repair Fire Alarm System Installation Front landing tile repair Energy efficient lighting Energy efficient lighting Energy efficient lighting Asbestos abatement-ceiling tile Interior renovation Energy efficient lighting Asbestos abatement-ceiling Energy efficient lighting Press box Security cameras Energy efficient lighting Energy efficient lighting Energy monitoring system Energy efficient lighting Energy monitoring system Asbestos abatement Energy efficient lighting Infrastructure improvements Intercom/Security cameras Energy efficient lighting Roof replacement gym Asbestos abatement Phase I Asbestos abatement Parking lot Energy monitoring system Renovate bleachers Asphalt walks School Mann Mann Mann Mann McClellan McClellan McClellan McClellan McDermott Meadowcliff Metropolitan Metropolitan Metropolitan Mitchell Mitchell Mitchell Oakhurst Otter Creek Otter Creek Parkview Parkview Parkview Parkview Rightsell Rockefeller Rockefeller Security/T ransportation Southwest Southwest Tech Center Phase 1 Terry Terry Wakefield Wakefield Washington Washington Watson Watson Watson Western Hills Williams Project Walkway canopies Boiler replacement Fencing Partial demolition/portable classrooms Security cameras Energy efficient lighting Stadium stands repair Intercom Energy efficient lighting Fire alarm Replace cooling tower Replace shop vent system Energy monitoring system Energy efficient lighting Energy monitoring system Asbestos abatement HVAC renovation Energy monitoring system Energy efficient lighting Roof replacement Exterior lights HVAC renovation & 700 area controls Locker replacement Energy efficient lighting Energy efficient lighting Replace roof top HVAC Bus cameras Asbestos abatement Energy efficient lighting Renovation Energy efficient lighting Energy monitoring system Security cameras Energy efficient lighting Security cameras Energy efficient lighting Energy monitoring system Asbestos abatement Energy efficient lighting Intercom Energy efficient lighting BOND PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION School Adminstration Administration Annex Central Central Cloverdale Middle Fair Park Franklin Hall Jefferson Mabelvale Elem. Otter Creek Otter Creek Parkview Procurement Romine Student Assignment Technology Upgrade Watson Project Asbestos abatement Energy monitoring system installation Purchase land for school Roof & exterior renovations Major renovation & addition HVAC renovation/fire alarm Renovation Major renovation & addition Renovation & fire alarm Replace HVAC units 6 classroom addition Parking lot HVAC controls Energy monitoring system installation Asbestos abatement Energy monitoring system installation Upgrade phone & data systems Major renovation & addition BOND PROJECTS CONSTRUCTION SPRING/SUMMER 2002 BOND PROJECTS PLANNING STARTED - CONSTRUCTION DATE TO BE DETERMINED School Baseline Dunbar Forest Park IRC Mann Otter Creek Pulaski Hgts. Elem Pulaski Hgts. Middle Pulaski Hgts. Middle Rockefeller Southwest Southwest Wakefield Williams Wilson Wilson Wilson Project Renovation Renovation/addition Diagonal parking Energy efficient lighting Partial replacement Repair surface water drain Renovation Renovation Energy monitoring system installation Parking addition Addition Drainage corrections Energy monitoring system installation Renovation Energy monitoring system installation Parking lot Renovation/expansion School Administration Bale Brady Brady Carver Central Central/Quigley Dodd J. A. Fair J. A. Fair J. A. Fair Forest Park Fulbright Fulbright Henderson Mabelvale Elem. Mabelvale Middle McClellan McDermott Meadowcliff Otter Creek Parkview Romine Technology Center Terry Terry Wakefield Watson Western Hills Williams Woodruff Woodruff Project Fire alarm Classroom addition/renovation Addition/renovation Asbestos abatement Parking lot Renovation - Interior Stadium light repair & structure repair Replace roof top HVAC 6 classroom addition Cafeteria/music room addition Roof repairs Replace window units w/central HVAC Parking lot Replace roof top HVAC units Asbestos abatement Asbestos abatement Renovation Classroom addition Replace roof top HVAC units Asbestos abatement Asbestos abatement Addition Major renovation & addition Addition/Renovation - Phase II Media Center addition Driveway & Parking HVAC renovation & fire alarm Asbestos abatement Asbestos abatement Parking expansions Renovation Parking addition SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2002 filial Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/STEPHEN 8. THORNTON Robbie White lifts a light panel into place in a hallway as third-grade teacher Jodi Thornton (left) prepares her classroom al Jefferson Elementary School in the Little Rock School District on Friday afternoon Classes begin Monday morning. Inside school renovations end
outside work continues in LR BY KIMBERLY DISHONGH ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Tools, ladders and other construction materials lined the hallways of Little Rocks Jefferson Elementary on Friday. School and district officials are confident that construction crews will remove their belongings and that the wet paint signs, boxes and other debris will be cleared to make classrooms ready for learning activities by Monday morning when children arrive. Jefferson, a 53-year-old building undergoing a $1.6 million renovation, is not the only Little Rock public school where major construction is going on right up to the last minute. Contractors and construction crews have been in most of the districts 50 schools during the summer, working on restoration projects funded through a 5-mill property tax increase approved by voters in May 2000. The tax increase was expected to raise $9.5 million a year to build a new elementary school on the districts west side, add new classrooms, expand cafeterias and gymnasiums and replace roofs. Other planned improvements include modernizing bathrooms, repairing heating and air-conditioning systems, making buildings more accessible to handicapped people and providing the necessary wiring and equipment to support at least one computer for every five of the districts 25,000- plus students. Doug Eaton, the districts director of facility services, said officials try to get things done during the summer that they cant do when the pupils are there, like asbestos removal. Eaton said work will continue through today to get schools ready for pupils Monday, but projects will be under way for some time to come. Its just a big effort, he said. The district is progressing very well. I mean this is not something that was going to happen in a year or two. Its all about getting all this done and keeping schools open and operational at all times. Eaton said work inside Hall High, including additional classrooms and a gymnasium and renovated bathrooms and other areas part of an ongoing $8.6 million project has been completed. But work being done outside may create some inconvenience for the first couple of weeks: Parking and bus drop-offs have been rearranged, and everyone will have to enter the building from U Street until the schools parking lot is finished. At Central High, Eaton said, the parking lots are filled with portable buildings that will house students during a three-year interior renovation. Exterior renovations are to be done in a couple of months, he said. Central, built in 1927, is slated to undergo more than $7 million in repairs. Eaton said the districts progress is on schedule actually ahead in some cases. Its just a matter of staying calm and being organized and getting teachers to work with us and theyve been great, they really have, he said. They see what the end goal is, and thats what were trying to keep people focused on. Kindergarten teachers Kathy Brotherton and Brenda Dorman said they only got to start preparing their classrooms Thursday, whereas they usually would have been in at the end of July or the first of August. But, they said, the bathrooms and extra storage that were added to their classrooms not to mention the new central heat and air, lowered ceilings and sparkling clean" new windows make having to spend the weekend getting ready worth it. Orange tape kept children who were at Jefferson for orientation last week from visiting their classrooms, which were still being renovated. Tables covered with brightly colored paper were decorated with Legos, bricks and hard hats. Sydney Alman, 6, who was at orientation, said she was just excited about going back to school. She said shes not sure the clutter will be gone when she starts first grade Monday. Maybe, maybe not, she said. It looks like that because theyre fixing the school to make it new. I think everybody is so excited theyre getting so many improvements that it doesnt matter, said Sydneys mom, Jan Alman. "Tliey just won't care. 11/01/2002 16:32 501-324-2023 LRSD COMMUNICATIONS 6 PAGE 01/01 810 West Markham Little Rock, AR 72201 For Immediate Release November 1, 2002 For more information: SuellenVaiin, 447-1030 LRSD Responds to School Improvement List Adjustment The damage has already been done, according to Little Rock School Superintendent Ken James, commenting on the Arkansas Department of Educations removal of three LRSD schools fiom the school improvement list. This follows todays announcement by the Department of Education that it did not use the accepted, or expected, method of yatodating Stanford Achievement Test scores to place schools on the school improvement list This could have been avoided if the Arkansas Department of Education had shared its data before developing and releasing die list, said Dr. James. We would have recognized that the Stanford scores the department used did not match what the Stanford publisher, Harcourt Brace, provided us, thus preventing these schools from being described by the media asunfit,9 Dr. James acknowledged his pleasure that three LRSD schoolsMabelvale and Henderson Middle Schools and Watson Elementary - were removed from the school improvement list and another, Stephens Elementary, was moved from year 2 to year 1 of school improvement. These faculties will be relieved to hear that their status has changed, and 1 know that they, as well as all of our schools, will continue to focus on improving student achievement. Unfortunately, morale on these campuses took a real hit when the Department of Education mistakenly put them on the list, Dr. James said. There are significant lessons to be learned from this entire experience. It is my hope that, in the future, the Department of Education will ensure that all data is checked, recheckcd and validated prior to schools throughout the state being identified as needing improvement, Dr. James added. t SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 14, 2004 LR board to decide if schools get repairs _ BY CYNTHIA HOWELL ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Mitchell Elementary School, one of Little Rock's oldest school buildings, appears to have the four School Board votes it needs to get a $2.5 million renovation de- I spite the small schools declining i enrollment. I The board will vote on increasing the construction budg- ets for both Mitchell and Rightsell, another small elementary school in the central part of the tion of the money raised by a 5- city, at its regular meeting Feb. 26. mill tax increase approved by vot- Together, the two schools need ers in 2000. about $5 million in repairs that . But complaints from Mitchell will include waterproofing, re- staff members about the schools pairing water damaged interior walls and ceilings, new heating and air conditioning systems, and electrical system improvements. District officials initially planned to spend about $950,000 on repairs at Mitchell and $800,000 at Rightsell with a por- poor ventilation last summer prompted district leaders to temporarily relocate most Mitchell pupils to other schools and reevaluate the construction needs at both Mitchell. 2410 Battery St., and Rightseil, 911 W. 19th St. See SCHOOLS, Page 7B1 Schools Continued from Page 1B "Stephens is standing there cents. It comes down to: Is this would have taken a tough stand. t I year during renovations. Plans Berkley compared a decision "Stephens is standing there that, Holmes said. I think for relocating the Rightsell on the expanded renovation for those kids, and now we are 7'* with pupils havent been finalized, plans with one that eventually "Im willing to vote for it for might be necessary on a new Faced with deciding whether a neighborhood that is out there elementary school in west Lit- to increase the construction pitching, Kurrus said. "I real- tie Rock. The district also inbudgets, school board members ly like and respect the fact that eluded that new school in its in December questioned you have a core group of peo- list of projects to be funded whether the costs can be jus- pie who believe in their neigh- by the 2000 tax increase, tified, as both schools are small borhood and their school and "I will not support that if the .... .______________________ ,, - - en- are willing to fight for it. I hope need is not there, Berkley said and beyond what we original- sues that are surfacing around rollment over the next several the demographics help out. We about a new school. "And I --------- l need some young people there. dont feel like I would be aban- I dont thmk it is an issue of J going to give them another Mitchell since 1999 and you ve school. Every kid at Mitchell been doing it without firm poli- has two schools, Rose said. ^i^s. If that kind of policy was This is not an equity question, m place, you wouldn t be hav- it is a question of dollars and mg this conversation. You the best way to spend addi- You would have cut through all tional money, the money above Ibe politics and all the social is- and are projected to lose this school.' ly allocated for Mitchell? - ------. eee. BryauDay, the school board James Floyd, president of the doning a commitment to the member who initially ques- , 111 11. ___---------------------- uwiuug a -viiiniiLiiiciiu tu IIIC Whether we should or should Wright Avenue Neighborhood people of west Little Rock. I nnf V*ATmim^<a U.A ...U T?_J J_1___ . \ _ nni y. 1 h u L=ig'O5hood people of west Little Rock. I tioned the rationale for the con- rf, CA J' he was think Im looking out for the struction, asked why the con- cause It IS a promise we made pleased bv the apparent .u. gtruction plans called for new I I I a a a a a * Hill*'. A AAA Avz vAavAAAK UL aVaX UXXC r"-/-- ", - " by board best interest of the school dis- to the citizens, board member support but mtends to be vig- Katherine Mitchell told her col- ilant. The association met with leagues at an agenda meeting board representatives earlier Thursday. this month to solicit their com- Because we made that mitment. trict as a whole. When we take money to give to one kid, were taking it away from another school or program. We have to promise, they got out and vot, be wise enough to look at the We re relieved, yeS Floyd whole picture. I H Hilf larnan _ ed for the millage. And per- said. "But when your confi- sonally I want to honor the dence is shaken the way our suiiauy 1 nonor tne aence snaKen tne also withheld how he miixht .1"?." ..K.ftf:? voK on "he lu. that he .Id predictions are about the en- look at everything through a rollment for the next five years, microscope. Well be continu- To me, that is not relevant. ously monitoring. Were in the Mitchell, with a capacity of process of appointing an over- 283, has 255 pupils this year, sight committee to keep up That is projected to shrink to with the construction as it pro- 219 by 2008-09. Rightsell is near gresses. its capacity of 296 now but al- Besides Mitchell and Kurrus, so is expected to lose students, other board members support- falling to about 225 by 2008-09. ing the increases included Mike Board member Baker Kurrus Daugherty and Sue Strickland. classrooms at each school in light of the declining enrollment. Morris Holmes, the districts interim superintendent and a downtown resident, called the nearly-century old Mitchell School viable and a long-distance runner. And he predicted the community around the school will flourish as large, older homes are renovated and property values grow. Holmes also suggested that the board establish a policy identifying the criteria to be used in deciding whether to close any school. I recommend to the board that within the next year you Board President Tony Rose boils down to cost and not whether the district is treating the Mitchell community fairly. The districts newest school,. Stephens Elementary, 3700 W. 18th St., was built with the idea that Mitchell students would be reassigned there, he said.. That didnt happen because ofneigh- predicted Thursday that the Three board members werent objections to closing proposed budgets have the nec- as quick to commit. Mitchell. essary four votes, including his, for approval. This isnt going to be an _. _ easy choice for me, said board He said the increase member Larry Berkley, who ac- amounts to doubling the com- knowledged that a vote against mitment to improve the the improvements would es- schools, but he favors it anyway sentially be a vote to close one as an investment in a neigh- or both schools. Still, he was borhood that has demonstraf- concerned about the projec- ed strong support for Mitchell, tions of declining enrollments. District officials have said We didnt promise [to make there is a bond interest fund the renovations] no matter from which the money for the what, he said. We have a com- schools can be drawn. Mitchell mitment to the overall com- pupils likely would be moved munity to use the funds wise- to the old Badg.ttt School next ly,I Board OKs repair fiinds at 2 schools LR elementaries get $5 million BY CYNTHIA HOWELL ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE The Little Rock School Board voted 6-0 Thursday to spend $5 million on repairs at Mitchell and Rightsell elementary schools but not before stinging words about keeping promises were exchanged between board members and representatives of the Mitchell School neighborhood. At issue was whether the necessary repairs at two of the citys oldest schools could be justified as district officials project that both of the small schools will lose enrollment in the next few years. Mitchell, at 2410 Battery St., has 255 students while Rightseil, at 911W. LITTLE ROCK district to retain new evaluation system. Page 7B. 19th SU has 291. After voters approved a 5- mill tax increase in 2000 for repairing and renovating nearly all district schools, a total of $950,000 was set aside for Mitchell and $800,000 for Ri^t- health of children and staff. sell. He also discounted district But last fall, Mitchell em- administrators projections of ployees complained about de-___________, teriorating ventilation and moisture problems at that school, prompting the district to tern- . porarily move most of the stu- L/. \ dents to other schools for the rest of this year. A re-evaluation See BOARD, Page 75 Board Continued from Page 1B of the construction needs at both schools determined that an additional $1.54 million in work is needed at Mitchell and another $1.78 million at Rightsell. Members of the Wright Avenue Neighborhood Association, longtime advocates for preserving Mitchell, addressed the board early in the meeting, asking them to approve funding for the repairs at the school and warning that a decision otherwise would be a violation of the public trust, If this board doesnt fulfill this promise, why should any- one in Little Rock ever believe in this board again? asked Dr. George Blevins, vice president of the association. Terence Bolden, another neighborhood association member, questioned why Mitchell was allowed to deteriorate to the point that mold and animal droppings were endangering the decreasing enrollment as a reason, saying the schools numbers have remained stable over the past 15 years and that other schools that have had enrollment drops weren't threatened with closure. Board members vehemently objected to the characterization of their discussion about the Mitchell renovations and its enrollment projections as being a conspiracy to close the building. I will support this, board member Larry Berkley said. But when folks question the integrity of this board that doesnt help your cause. We are responsible for the entire district. If we can't ask questions about this project without having our characters impugned, then something is wrong. Berkley rejected the arguments made by the neighborhood leaders that the district is purposely causing the enrollments to drop at Mitchell and Rightsell with recent changes made to the districts system of assigning students to magnet and other special-program schools. The assignment plan will now open the special program schools to some of their attendance zone students who before now havent been able to enroll, possibly drawing attendance away from Mitchell and Rightsell. Berkley said the enrollment plan and student projections were discussed publicly. Board President Tony Rose said he resented being called a liar by the neighborhood representatives, and board member Sue Strickland said she was so offended by the accusations that she thought about voting against the renovations although she was one of the board members who initially raised questions about health conditions at Mitchell. Board member Baker Kurrus told the neighborhood leaders it was wrong to think that Mitchell wasnt maintained in a manner similar to other district schools. Its one of the oldest schools in the city nearly 100 years old that creates problems, he said. He also noted that while residents of the Mitchell community were supportive of the 2000 millage proposal, so were other neighborhoods. Im asking you to think very carefully about who your friends are, Kurrus said. We are family. There is no purpose in impugning the board. James Floyd, president of the neighborhood association and a critic of the board earlier in the meeting, said he was ecstatic at the outcome and he predicted that the community members will work closely to support the school once it is reopened in 2005-06. He explained that the hard feelings were the product of miscommunication and erroneous perceptions about the boards intentions. I think well be able to overcome that, he said. It was just that we were beginning to feel that we were being doublecrossed and they resented the fact that we were fearing that we were being double-crossed. Its just they knew what they were doing and we didnt know. There were a couple of times when it seemed like they were wavering on their commitments.
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>