Incentive Schools: Scholarship program

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPOSED DESEGREGATION PLAN JANUARY 31, 1989 VOLUME II \ i 1ment tool for meeting the desegregation requirements in these schools. With the proper resources and expectations, the incentive school program will serve as a model of excellence for the county, state and nation. The success of the incentive school program is directly related to the success of the long-term desegregation plan in the Little Rock School District. In addition to the ongoing comprehensive programs in the incentive schools, the incentive school program committee will explore the possible use of trust fund to provide future a college scholarship incentives. By the end of October, 1989, the committee will determine the costs of implementing a scholarship program for the students who attend incentive schools and will determine the feasibility of using trust funds to provide such an incentive. If feasible, the committee will have the responsibility for establishing the guidelines and criteria to be used in allocating any resources to the students. The trust fund would be used to provide an academic achievement incentive to students and would also assist parents and students in setting realistic goals for attending college. 3 fLITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPOSED DESEGREGATION PLAN (Edit Copy) Pages 219 - 490 _ May 1,1991 I In order to be successful, the incentive program must address the academic, social and emotional needs of all student participants. The incentive program must also serve as a recruitment tool for meeting the desegregation requirements in these schools. With proper resources and expectations, the incentive school program will serve as a model of excellence for the county, state and nation. The success of the incentive school program is directly related to the success of the long-term desegregation plan in the Little Rock School District. In addition to the ongoing comprehensive programs in the incentive schools, the incentive-school program committee the parties will explore the possible use of a trust fund to provide future college scholarship incentives. By the end of October, 1089, tihe commi-tetee parties will determine the costs of implementing a scholarship program for the students who attend incentive schools and will determine the feasibility of using trust funds to provide such an incentive. If feasible, the committee parties will have the responsibility for establishing the guidelines and criteria to be used in allocating any resources to the students. The trust fund would be used to provide an academic achievement incentive to students and would also assist parents and students in setting realistic goals for attending college. Re: 02234 Page 261RRR V R I The Desegregation of the Little Rock School District Preliminary Plans LA' if November 1, 1989 :i si f Incentive School Plan The purpose of the Incentive School program is to promote and ensure academic excellence in schools that have It is believed that the been difficult to desegregate. Incentive School Program will not only compensate the victims of segregation, but the program will also serve as a tool for promoting meaningful and long-lasting desegregation in these schools and in the entire District. In order to be successful, the Incentive Program must address the academic, social, and emotional needs of all student participants. The Incentive Program must also serve as a recruitment tool for meeting the desegregation reguirements in these schools. With the proper resources and expectations, the Incentive School Program will serve as The a model of excellence for the county, state and nation. success of the Incentive School Program is directly related to the success of the long-term desegregation plan in the Little Rock School District. Opportunities for academic achievement are enhanced by commitment, high expectations, a strong belief that all children can learn, and broad-based community support, these ideals are coupled with the availability of financial When resources, educational excellence prevails. It is certainly the belief of the District that all of these ideals will be evident in each incentive school. In the incentive schools all children, to the extent possible, will be a part of the mainstreamed instructional program. Content will be delivered in a manner that enhances positive self-concept for all students, but especially for those students who have been identified special-needs students. Also, all students will have as equitable access to educational materials, resources,and appropriate instructional delivery. Further, in the incentive schools, the overall school enrollment, all classes, all programs, all activities, and all teaching and supervisory staff (to the maximum extent possible) will be racially balanced and numerically racially representative. Students will be encouraged to pursue post secondary schooling. Each Little Rock School District (LRSD) student enrolled in the Incentive School Program will be eligible for post secondary scholarships. A plan which will make post-secondary educational experiences feasible will be implemented commencing with the 1990-91 school year. -27-TO: FROM: THROUGH: SUBJECT: LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT 810 WEST MARKHAM STREET LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS April 2, 1990 Office of the Metropolitan Supervisor James Jennings, Associate Superintendent for Desegregation Monitoring and Program Development Dr. Ruth Steele, Superintendent of Schools Magnet Incentive School Programs The attached document is a joint submission from the Little Rock School District, Joshua Intervenors, and Knight Intervenors. This submission should be regarded as a supplementary document to the incentive school plan included in the Tri-District Desegregation Plan, January 2, 1990^ - The parties reached consensus in all areas except theLscholarship program and / 'Staffing. Please note that the Little Rock School District provided separate recommendations for the areas of scholarships and staffing. The parties look forward to meeting with the Metropolitan Supervisor's office in order to discuss and resolve the areas of disagreement.OBJECTIVES AND GOALS The schools referred to heretofore as "Incentive Schools" shall be referred to and known as-Magnet Incentive Schools. They shall have two (2) primary objectives: 1) to effectively eliminate academic achievement disparities which exist between pupils who attend these schools as compared to those pupils whose academic achievement is the highest in the school system's "best" school
and, 2) to be established simply as schools which are racially integrated and racially non-identifiable. IDENTIFICATION OF MAGNET INCENTIVE SCHOOLS The district presently operates six schools which, by court definition, must be classified as "racially identifiable". These schools are attended almost entirely by pupils of African American descent. Those schools and their respective locations and pupil capacities are as follows: SCHOOL ADDRESS CAPACITY 1. Garland 3615 W. 25th, LR, AR 300 3. 5. 6. Ish Mitchell Rightsell Rockefeller Stephens 3001 Pulaski, 2410 Battery, LR, AR LR, AR 911 W. 19th, LR, AR 700 E. 17th, LR, AR 3700 W. 185th, LR, AR 200 280 240 340 260 2. 4 . 1 1,620 1 Metropolitan Supervisor. The term "Magnet Incentive Schools" was introduced by the , The term is subject to change by the office of Metropolitan Supervisor. These schools will not be under the jurisdiction of the Magnet Review Committee.BASIC CONCEPT The children who attend the Magnet Incentive Schools have been, are being and are likely to be deprived of equal educational and other expected advantage due to the racial isolation of these schools. These schools are likely to remain one race schools until the Court approved plan herein has had a reasonable opportunity to work, i.e., to assist in relieving their "one race" character. This is expected to be achieved under the plan within six years. The pupils who attend these schools in the meantime must have basic, compensatory and other need related educational and support programs which exceed those available in other schools of the district if their chances for equal academic opportunity are to be maximized. Major incentives within these schools are therefore required. The objective is to provide the best basic skills i programs and enrichment available as well as a full range extended J /' day and Sa^^rday programs which address individual needs and interests. The school district shall rely upon the strength of the core curriculum, strong teachers and administrators, enhanced programs and post high school graduation scholarship opportunities as factors through which to promote racial integration or desegregation of these schools. The school district shall also promote desegregation in these schools by establishing early childhood centers in each of them. Four (4) early childhood centers will be operative by August of 1990. The other two (2) will operative by August, 1991. The I premise of these centers is that they can be racially integrated m tfrom the outset and that the students who begin their education therein will continue thereafter due to the strength of the varied programs offered. THE BASIC PROGRAMS OF THE MAGNET INCENTIVE SCHOOLS The Magnet Incentive Schools shall operate basic skills programs. The design of the Williams Magnet School curriculum shall be the model used. All classes of the school shall be inclusive and all pupils therein shall be mainstreamed. The special needs of pupils shall be addressed, pursuant to Student Education Plans (SEPs) for each pupil, both during the regular school day. in the time following the regular school day. on Saturdays and, if necessary, subsequent to the end of the regular school year. A major objective of the basic skills programs shall be to insure exposure of all children to the same course materials and instruction on an equal basis. Pupils shall not be assigned to classes or to groups within classes on the basis either of purported ability or race. The practice known as "tracking" shall have no place in these schools. Special attention to pupils with special needs either for remedial or advanced study - shall be addressed after the period of basic course instruction. There shall be no "pull-out" programs for individuals or small groups of students during the regular school day. Formative as well as summutive data will be gathered in order to determine: (1) effectiveness of the SEP
(2) uniform implementation of magnet incentive curriculum
(3) effectiveness ofoverall programs
and (4) secure data for revision/expansions of the SEPs and magnet incentive school programs. DOUBLE FUNDING The Magnet Incentive Schools shall operate pursuant to budget which is based upon "double funding". Double funding as used herein is a per pupil cost for Little Rock Pupils which is twice the per pupil costs for other non Magnet School pupils in the district. EXTENDED DAY PROGRAMS These schools shall operate extended day programs. Extended Day Programs are supplemental but essential to achievement of the primary objectives of the Magnet Incentive Schools. They shall operate from the end of the school day until 5:30 p.m., half days on Saturdays and for at least one and a half (1 1/2) months after the regular school year ends. The primary objectives of the a extended day programs, as set for in respective SEP'S, are: (a) to promote interest in the concept of learning
(b) to provide enrichment and remediation experiences
(c) to improve and enhance the self esteem of all pupils
(d) to improve the verbal, problem identification and problem solving skills of pupils
(e) to improve the conflict resolution skills of pupils
(f) to improve the social skills of pupils
and (g) to enlarge their experiences within and outside the community by extensive, education related programs. personalities and field trips.AFTER CARE Any elementary school age pupil who would normally otherwise be within the attendance zone of a magnet incentive school or who has previously been assigned to a magent incentive school shall .be eligible for the extended day, weekend and extended year programs I offered at their incentive zone school. The Scholarship Trust Committee shall be authorized to consider these pupils for scholarship awards pursuant to funds available and other criteria approved by the Court. .J' SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS A .QC scholarship program proposal submitted by the Trust Fund Committee. The Little Rock School District recommends approval of the The Joshua and Knight Intervenors recommend approval of the following: The Magnet Incentive Schools shall provide college a scholarship program which shall be available to all pupils therein. Each minority student assigned thereto as of the 1989-90 school term and thereafter, who remains in and graduates from Little Rock School District schools, shall have an entitlement to receive such assistance for college as determined by the Scholarship Trust Committee. The Scholarship Trust Committee was recommended by the Office of the Metropolitan Supervisor. Non-minority and other pupils shall also be entitled to the same benefits as minority pupils, provided they are currently enrolled (as of 1989-90) ^For purposes of this provision, LRSD schools shall include County or NLR schools if a minority magnet incentive school pupil graduates therefrom as a part of the M to M program.therein or provided they live within the shadow of a Magnet Incentive School and elect to attend that school. Non-minority pupil shall be eligible to participate in the school's scholarship programs provided they meet the requirements otherwise set out below by the Scholarship Trust Committee. The scholarship fund shall be constituted by the allocation of twenty percent (20%) of the total budget for the magnet incentive schools each year for a period of six years. The scholarship program is intended to encourage minority students to complete high school and to enroll in and complete a regular 4 year college curriculum. It is also intended to increase the enrollment in the magnet incentive schools of a representative number of non-minority pupils and to promote their interest in completing high school and college as well. The exact scholarship amount per pupil shall be determined on the basis of the funds available and the demands thereon at the time the student qualifies. It is to be determined by the Scholarship Trust Committee upon notice to the parties. The scholarship funds shall be invested, with court approval, in interest bearing securities. The court approved Scholarship Trust Committee will administer the fund. The scholarships will be paid out beginning with the 1996-97 school term and will continue thereafter until either the funds are depleted or until the court establishes other requirements. It is anticipated that the interest yield of the scholarship fund will be sufficient to allow approximately one million dollars per year to be devoted to scholarships for pupils from the magnetincentive schools thereafter. This amount is sufficient to provide each student with scholarship funds of $4,000.00 per student. At the point that these schools become racially non identifiable, a report of same will be made to the court by the parties along with a recommendation regarding the disposition of any remaining funds in the scholarship trust fund. STAFFING The magnet incentive schools shall be staffed by the district with those administrators and teachers who are committed to the goals approved by the Court herein both in general and specifically. LRSD RECOMMENDATION: The incumbent teaching staff shall be vacated. The selection criteria, in addition to the appropriate certification or licensing requirements, are as follows: JOSHUA AND KNIGHT INTERVENORS RECOMMENDATION: The incumbent professional staff in those schools shall be vacated within one week of the Court's approval of this plan and placed into a general pool with other professional staff members. The district shall select from that pool, pursuant to court approved criteria, new staff to fill the magnet incentive school vacancies. The recommended criteria in addition to appropriate 3 certification or licensure requirements submitted for approval by ^Support staff shall be afforded an option to remain at their present school assignment. They shall agree, however, to undertake the necessary training which is required for all staff to be successful in these schools.the court for the selection of magnet school professional staff are as follows: (a) racial balance
(b) successful past experience in working with minority children and parents
(c) sensitivity to cultural and racial differences between minority and majority pre-school and elementary pupils
and (d) willingness to work in the communities where the magnet incentive schools are located at times other than during regular school hours. Staff members who are not selected or decline to participate in the program shall be transferred into comparable positions for which they qualify on the basis of the contract provisions, Articles XVT, XVIII. and XXXVIII. of the Professional Negotiating Agreement between Little Rock and the Little Rock Classroom Teacher's Association. The teachers who are selected to work in the magnet incentive schools shall be entitled to additional pay for the additional work and responsibilities they will have with the magnet incentive schools. A pay schedule for the additional work for teachers in the magnet incentive schools which is supplemental to the existing pay schedule. It shall be based upon a figure of not less than 20% of the base pay which each teacher earns pursuant to the regular salary schedule. This is consistent with present practice for additional time during the regular school day for which some teachers are presently paid. The contracts of magnet incentive school teachers during the 1990-91 school term shall be for ten and three fourths months withthe understanding that, by mutual agreement of the teacher and the district, the contract may be extended to the extent necessary for a period up to an additional one month. The reason for the contract period being ten and three fourths month for the 1990-91 school year is explained as follows. The district presently extends to all teachers a contract for nine and one fourth months or 192 days. The additional one and one half month takes into account approximately four weeks for magnet incentive school staff development and approximately two weeks for preparation of SEPs and for extended year programs which are not available in the other schools. It is not expected that all teachers will be employed on supplemental contracts during the 1991-92 and subseguent school years. The number of teachers necessary for the supplemental time requirements of the magnet incentive schools shall be determined by the district at the end of each school year beginning in June of 1991 and continuing each year thereafter at approximately that time. The district shall, of course, have the authority to extend contracts as necessary, on an objective, impartial basis, in order to meet the expectations of the court. For 1991-92 and thereafter the district shall be authorized to vary the length of contracts in *Each magnet incentive school teacher shall be required to spend at least seven (7) additional hours per week. While these seven (7) hours are fixed they are expected to be arranged to accommodate the individualized needs of the students to the extent necessary. It is expected. however. that absent compelling circumstances, each teacher shall spend two hours for each of three days and one Saturday per month for four hours. 4 Days deemed undesirable shall be adjusted so that they can be equitably distributed aunong staff by the associate superintendent. Fridays and Mondays shall be rotated among all staff.accordance with objectively determined needs and expectations. There shall also be an extensive teacher aide program. It's purposes shall be two fold: (1) to assist the teachers and the administrators in the classroom, with the extended day, Saturday and year programs
(2) to supervise children in the lunch room, the playground and on field trips as necessary
and (3) to help develop minority teachers for possible future placement in the district. There shall be at least oj^e teacher aide for each teacher. There shall also be at least one person employed in a professional capacity to coordinate field trips so that there will be a correlation between those learning experiences and the expected learning experiences which occur within the classroom in particular and the school in general. An adequate number of student aides will be selected to perform this function. They will be paid as part time employees on an hourly basis which is commensurate with the local rate of pay for comparable work. In keeping with the recommendations of the Metropolitan Supervisor and for otherwise independent good reasons, the district shall arrange and pay for educational courses which facilitate the objectives herein for the teacher aides at any teacher training institution in Central Arkansas that is accredited by North Central Association. The courses shall be college degree oriented with an emphasis upon teacher preparation.TO: FROM
SUBJECT: Little Rock School District April 2, 1990 Office of the Metropolitan Supervisor Incentive School Scholarship Trust Committee Scholarship Trust Fund Report The Tri-District Desegregation Plan states that representatives from the Little Rock School District, the Arkansas Department of Education, the Joshua Intervenors, and the Knight Intervenors will administer the incentive school scholarship fund. The Plan also states that a Trust Committee composed of business persons, parents, administrators and teachers will administer the trust fund. The Plan further states that fully developed plans for the scholarship program will be submitted to the Metropolitan Supervisor by April 1, 1990. Because it is unclear which committee is responsible for submitting fully developed plans on April 1, the parties in the case each appointed a representative to prepare a report for the Metropolitan Supervisor's review. The Plan specifically states several guidelines for the scholarship program: 1. A Trust fund will be established for each student who completes at least one full school year at an incentive school. 2. Each student will earn $400 for each full year of enrollment at an incentive school. 3. The funds plus interest will be used for post-secondary education and paid directly to the post-secondary institution. 4. The scholarship program must have a strong counseling and support program monitored by the Bi-racial Committee for the Little Rock School District and an incentive school coordinator. 5. The college tuition program will be given to any black students in the incentive schools who transfer to the school built to accommodate the incentive school students educated in the Pulaski County Special School Di strict. 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)374-3361Office of the Metropolitan Supervisor March 29, 1990 Page 2 This committee proposes the following additions to the scholarship program for the incentive schools: 1. Current sixth graders enrolled in Ish, Stephens, Rockefeller, Rightsell, Garland, and Mitchell will receive a $400 credit for the 1989-90 school year and a $200 credit for each prior year of attendance in these schools if the student has attended one of these schools for four or more years. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. In 1990-91 students will earn $400 for a full year of attendance and $200 for prior years if the student had attended an eligible school for four or more prior years. Kindergarten students who enroll for 1990-91 will be the only students eligible to earn seven years of $400 credits (1996-97 will be the last year a student may earn credit for the scholarship program). The Little Rock School District will fund the program from proceeds from its desegregation settlement with the State of Arkansas. The Little Rock School District will begin to fund the program by January 1, 1991, according to the following schedule: January 1, 1991 January 1, 1992 January 1, 1993 January 1, 1994 January 1, 1995 January 1, 1996 January 1, 1997 January 1, 1998 for credits earned during for credits earned during for credits earned during for credits earned during for credits earned during for credits earned during for.credits earned during for credits earned during 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 The last contribution to the fund will be January 1, 1998. The committee recommends that when students transfer to the incentive schools from other districts under the majority-to-minority transfer program, the sending district is responsible for funding credits earned by that student. To retain eligibility for the scholarship program, the student must remain in the Little Rock, North Little Rock, or Pulaski County Special School District after leaving an incentive school. (If extenuating circumstances require that a student leave the system, the student may apply to the Trust Committee for a waiver from this requirement.) If for any reason an incentive school is closed, the students enrolled in the school for the full year prior to the closing will retain eligibility for the scholarship program and will earn credits as if attending an incentive school.Office of the Metropolitan Supervisor March 29, 1990 Page 3 8. 9. The scholarships will be limited to accredited State supported colleges and universities. The amount available for an individual scholarship will be at least the accumulation of amounts earned for attendance plus interest but no more than tuition costs. After much discussion about the mechanics of determining the scholarship amount, we realized that several issues must be considered--effective earnings. non-participation of eligible students, etc. These issues are very complicated and will take a considerable amount of time, study, and calculations to make a rel iable estimation. For this reason, we recommend that we as a committee initiate the establishment of the Trust and suggest (within legal purchasing requirements) an agent to serve as an investment manager. Once the Trust is legally established, the parties will formally appoint trustees who will determine the most equitable method for determining scholarship amounts as eligible students begin to make application for proceeds from the Trust. Respectfully Submitted, Ashvin Vihbaker, Parent Financial Committee John Fincher, Arkansas Department of Education Stella Hayes, Knight Intervenors Wiley Branton, Joshua Intervenors Chip Jones, Little Rock School DistrictReport of Scholarship Committee Questions we must answer: 1 . Do we really want to use desegregation money for a scholarship? A scholarship will discriminate against black students who are unable to attend incentive schools and must be bused to perhaps less desirable neighborhood schools. The money could be used to enhance the incentive schools rather be applied to scholarships. Recommendation of committee: Scholarships are appropriate and should be part of the desegregation plan for incentive schools to increase the enrollment in the incentive schools of a representative number of non-minority pupils and to promote the interest of all students in complet ing high school and attending accredited post-secondary courses including college. Scholarships will be awarded to all students who attend the incentive schools regardless of need. 2. Funding of scholarships. Two proposals have been presented. The Little Rock School District proposes the plan be funded as students accrue-credits in the amount of $400 per year per student. Funding will occur over a period of 8 years. (page 2 - Trust Fund Report). Some credit would be given students who attended incentive schools for at least four years prior to this year. The Little Rock plan included a counseling and support provision. Funding would begin January 1, 1991, and end January 1, 1998. The intervenors' plan is to take a 20% lump sum of theamount allotted -2- to incentive schools "off the top" of the settlement and invest that so that after six years (the time it would take a student now in 6th grade to graduate) the principle and interest would be sufficient to fund the scholarship program. Under the invervenors' plan not all the fund would be used so that whatever is left after scholarships are paid out could be applied to another project such as early childhood education. Recommendation of committee: The committee's recommendation is subject to change depending on the report of our CPA member, Ruth Ragsdale, who will attempt to translate these plans into dollar amounts. At the meeting held Monday, April 23, the committee tentatively recommended the lump sum approach which would be invested immediately at the best rate possible rather than fund the program year by year as credits accrue. The committee also recommends any excess after scholarships are paid to be returned to the incentive schools in equal portions. 3. Trustee and money fund manager The intervenor's plan did not suggest trustee representatives or a fund administrator. The Little Rock plan suggested the Little Rock School district. the Department of Education, and the Joshua and Knight intervenors to be administrators of the plan. Under the Little Rock plan t rustees would be made up of representatives of business, parents, administrators. and teachers. Committee recommendation: First pick trustees of the fund-3- with one representative from each of these groups: Parents Teachers Business Joshua intervenors Knight intervenors LR school district Member of the incentive school committee, and after the Office of the Metropolitan Supervisor is phased out replace this committee member with a parent There should be seven trustees in all. If trustee retired, replacement trustee would be picked from the same a a interest group with the exception of a member from the Incentive School Committee. First trustees would be named to the Trust Fund Committee. These trustees would then contact banks and savings and loan institutions to get bids for the best rate of interest for a certificate of deposit for 6 years. The financial institution would report to the trustees by mail or otherwise on a periodic basis regarding the status of the interest and principal. No demands would be made on the fund for 6 years. When scholarships are requested more administration will be required. Access to school records will be necessary. Disbursements will need to be made directly to post-secondary schools. Just how this will be done has not been resolved by our committee. 4. Time frame The Little Rock plan gives students currently enrolled in-4- incentive schools for 1989-1990 one years' credit, but would give $200 for each prior year if a child were enrolled in an incent ive school for 4 or more years. The interventor's plan gives credit to each student assigned in the 1989-190 school year who remains in and graduates from Little Rock Schools. Committee recommendation: That we put together the best parts of the two plans. There will be no retroactivity since some schools were actually racially identifiable, but were not designated as incentive schools until this year, and going back any number of years is arbitrary. The first students to receive credit will be the 6th graders attending an incentive school during the 1989-90 school year. (This year.) The only students to get a full 7 years' credit will be kindergarteners attending an incentive school this year. However any student entering incentive schools within the next six years. the period when the corpus of the trust IS to remain untouched, would be eligible for a scholarship of some amount. The committee's reason for this recommendation is so that the scholarship would be an incentive for attending these schools during the next SIX years. After six years it is hoped these schools would no longer be racially identifiable. Students would receive 1 years' c redit for each year of incentive school attendance. Scholarships must be used within five years of a student's graduation from high school. soon If a lump sum approach were adopted, funding would be as as the funds were available and would end after. for-5- example, 20% of the incentive school appropriation was invested. If yearly funding was chosen, funding would end in January, 1998 as the Little Rock district suggests. Under the Little Rock proposal in majority-to-minority t ransfer the sending district would be a responsible for funding credits earned by a student from outside the Little Rock Schools. The committee IS split on this question. It is argued that the sending district will not only lose money for the student, but if it must also fund his or her scholarship the sending district will discourage transfer and defeat the purpose of the plan. Another unresolved question IS whether student transferring to a school built to accomodate incentive school students in the Pulaski County School District should be allowed to continue accruing scholarship credits. The a committee recommends that they do not. Once a student transfers out of an incentive school no further credits are accrued unless the transfer is to upgrade or completely rebuild the inventive school. The comittee's rationale is that the incentive schools should be so desirable and unique with smaller student to teacher ratios and specialty emphasis along with basis skills that they should be promoted for their special qualities and they should be expanded rather than closed. Students from incentive be bussed elsewhere for purposes of desegregation. 5. Post-secondary institutions of learning The Little Rock plan designates state supported colleges and universities
" the intervenors' plan contemplates a 4 year-6- college curriculum." The Incentive School Committee wanted to include vocational and other types of post-secondary education besides college. The committee's recommendation is that scholarships be available for education in post-secondary institutions of higher learning including post-secondary vocational schools. The committee also recommends that scholarships be paid directly to the institution of higher learning, rather than to the student, but that if a student does not use all of his or her scholarship money for tuition. any excess go toward the purchase of books, or costs related to education such as transportation expenses. 6. Institutions in or outside of Arkansas Both proposals contemplate scholarship funding for only Arkansas colleges and universities. The Scholarship Committee recommends that scholarships apply to institutions outside of Arkansas as well as within Arkansas. The committee makes this recommendation because some degree plans are not offered in Arkansas such as dentistry and veternary science. It is also possible some children may earn a merit scholarship at a university outside Arkansas and it would be unfair to limit their scholarship credit to only Arkansas institutions under these circumstances. 7. Should there be a provision to provide monitoring by the court at intervals and to allow amendment to the plan if necessary? The committee recommends the court's involvement in the-7- plan cease as soon as possible. Therefore this suggestion was rej ected. 8. Mentorship program. This was crucial to the success of the scholarship in Mr. Reville's view. The Little Rock proposal states that the program must have "strong counseling a and support program monitored by the Bi-racial Committee for the Rock School District and an incentive school coordinator," but details are not spelled out. The committee suggests that some provision to be made in intermediate and high schools to counsel and provide mentoring so that the goal of high school graduation is encouraged and facilitated. 9. How much money will the scholarship fund involve? No one seems to know. Disbursements are to be made in July of $4 or $5 million but this for more than incentive schools. Other disbursements will follow. The intervenors' plan talks about "double funding" for incentive schools. There is nothing in writing on this. There are now 1,620 students attending incentive schools. (Magnet Incentive School Programs, page 2.) The actual cost per pupil varies depending on what expenses are considered. Dr. Gardner was able to get the figure used by the Joshua intervenors of 2,500 students and $6,000 per year as the amount for double funding. 10. Amount of scholarship The exact amount of the scholarship per pupil would have to be determined on the basis of the f unds available and the-8- demands at the time the student qualifies. Another factor would be enlargement of the incentive school facilities and increased number of students. Also the amount of the scholarship will depend on whether it is funded by a lump sum amount or yearly payments after credit is earned. The committee has addtional questions which cannot be resolved, but which are presented for the consideration of those making decisions regarding the scholarship fund. Questions will be submitted separately.TO: FROM: THROUGH: SUBJECT: LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT 810 WEST MARKHAM STREET LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS April 2, 1990 Office of the Metropolitan Supervisor James Jennings, Associate Superintendent for Desegregation Monitoring and Program Development Dr. Ruth Steele, Superintendent of Schools ^4 Magnet Incentive School Programs The attached document is a joint submission from the Little Rock School District, Joshua Intervenors, and Knight Intervenors. This submission should be regarded as a supplementary document to the incentive school plan included in the Tri-District Desegregation Plan, January 2, 1990. The parties reached consensus in all areas except the scholarship program and staffing. Please note that the Little Rock School District provided separate recommendations for the areas of scholarships and staffing. The parties look forward to meeting with the Metropolitan Supervisor's office in order to discuss and resolve the areas of disagreement.OBJECTIVES AND GOALS The schools referred to heretofore as "Incentive Schools II shall be referred to and known as Magnet Incentive Schools. They shall have two (2) primary objectives: 1) to effectively eliminate academic achievement disparities which exist between pupils who attend these schools as compared to those pupils whose academic achievement is the highest in the school system's "best" school
2) to be established simply as schools which are racially integrated and racially non-identifiable. IDENTIFICATION OF MAGNET INCENTIVE SCHOOLS The district presently operates six schools which, by court definition, must be classified as "racially identifiable". These schools are attended almost entirely by pupils of African American descent. Those schools and their respective locations and pupil capacities are as follows
SCHOOL ADDRESS CAPACITY 1. Garland 3615 W. 25th, LR, AR 300 5. 6. Ish Mitchell Rightsell Rockefeller Stephens 3001 Pulaski, LR, AR 2410 Battery, LR, AR 911 W. 19th, LR, AR 700 E. 17th, LR, AR 3700 W. 185th, LR, AR 200 280 240 340 260 and, 2 . 3. 4 . 1 1,620 1 The term "Magnet Incentive Schools" was introduced by the Metropolitan Supervisor. office of Metropolitan Supervisor. The term is subject to change by the These schools will not be under the jurisdiction of the Magnet Review Committee.BASIC CONCEPT The children who attend the Magnet Incentive Schools have been, are being and are likely to be deprived of equal educational and other expected advantage due to the racial isolation of these schools. These schools are likely to remain one race schools until the Court approved plan herein has had a reasonable opportunity to work, i.e., to assist in relieving their "one race" character. This is expected to be achieved under the plan within six years. The pupils who attend these schools in the meantime must have basic, compensatory and other need related educational and support programs which exceed those available in other schools of the district if their chances for equal academic opportunity are to be maximized. required. Major incentives within these schools are therefore The objective is to provide the best basic skills programs and enrichment available as well as a full range extended day and Saturday programs which address individual needs and interests. The school district shall rely upon the strength of the core curriculum, strong teachers and administrators, enhanced programs and post high school graduation scholarship opportunities as factors through which to promote racial integration or desegregation of these schools. The school district shall also promote desegregation in these schools by establishing early childhood centers in each of them. Four (4) early childhood centers will be operative by August of 1990. The other two (2) will operative by August, 1991. The premise of these centers is that they can be racially integratedfrom the outset and that the students who begin their education therein will continue thereafter due to the strength of the varied programs offered. THE BASIC PROGRAMS OF THE MAGNET INCENTIVE SCHOOLS The Magnet Incentive Schools shall operate basic skills programs. The design of the Williams Magnet School curriculum shall be the model used. All classes of the school shall be inclusive and all pupils therein shall be mainstreamed. The special needs of pupils shall be addressed, pursuant to Student Education Plans (SEPs) for each pupil, both during the regular school day, in the time following the regular school day, on Saturdays and, if necessary, subsequent to the end of the regular school year. A major objective of the basic skills programs shall be to insure exposure of all children to the same course materials and instruction on an equal basis. Pupils shall not be assigned to classes or to groups within classes on the basis either of purported ability or race. The practice known as "tracking" shall have no place in these schools. Special attention to pupils with special needs either for remedial or advanced study - shall be addressed after the period of basic course instruction. There shall be no "pull-out" programs for individuals or small groups of students during the regular school day. Formative as well as summutive data will be gathered in order to determine: (1) effectiveness of the SEP
(2) uniform implementation of magnet incentive curriculum
(3) effectiveness ofoverall programs
and (4) secure data for revision/expansions of the SEPs and magnet incentive school programs. DOUBLE FUNDING The Magnet Incentive Schools shall operate pursuant to a budget which is based upon "double funding". Double funding as used herein is a per pupil cost for Little Rock Pupils which is twice the per pupil costs for other non Magnet School pupils in the district. EXTENDED DAY PROGRAMS These schools shall operate extended day programs. Extended Day Programs are supplemental but essential to achievement of the primary objectives of the Magnet Incentive Schools. They shall operate from the end of the school day until 5:30 p.m. , half days on Saturdays and for at least one and a half (1 1/2) months after the regular school year ends. The primary objectives of the extended day programs, as set for in respective SEP'S, are: (a) to promote interest in the concept of learning
(b) to provide enrichment and remediation experiences
(c) to improve and enhance the self esteem of all pupils
(d) to improve the verbal, problem identification and problem solving skills of pupils
(e) to improve the conflict resolution skills of pupils
(f) to improve the social skills of pupils
and (g) to enlarge their experiences within and outside the community by extensive, education related programs. personalities and field trips.AFTER CARE Any elementary school age pupil who would normally otherwise be within the attendance zone of a magnet incentive school or who has previously been assigned to a magent incentive school shall be eligible for the extended day, weekend and extended year programs offered at their incentive zone school. The Scholarship Trust Committee shall be authorized to consider these pupils for scholarship awards pursuant to funds available and other criteria approved by the Court. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS The Little Rock School District recommends approval of the scholarship program proposal submitted by the Trust Fund Committee. The Joshua and Knight Intervenors recommend approval of the following: The Magnet Incentive Schools shall provide college a scholarship program which shall be available to all pupils therein. Each minority student assigned thereto as of the 1989-90 school term and thereafter, who remains in and graduates from Little Rock School District schools,^ shall have an entitlement to receive such assistance for college as determined by the Scholarship Trust Committee. The Scholarship Trust Committee was recommended by the Office of the Metropolitan Supervisor. Non-minority and other pupils shall also be entitled to the same benefits as minority pupils. provided they are currently enrolled (as of 1989-90) ^For purposes of this provision, LRSD schools shall include County or NLR schools if a minority magnet incentive school pupil graduates therefrom as a part of the M to M program.therein or provided they live within the shadow of a Magnet Incentive School and elect to attend that school. Non-minority pupil shall be eligible to participate in the school's scholarship programs provided they meet the requirements otherwise set out below by the Scholarship Trust Committee. The scholarship fund shall be constituted by the allocation of twenty percent (20%) of the total budget for the magnet incentive schools each year for a period of six years. The scholarship program is intended to encourage minority students to complete high school and to enroll in and complete a regular 4 year college curriculum. It is also intended to increase the enrollment in the magnet incentive schools of a representative number of non-minority pupils and to promote their interest in completing high school and college as well. The exact scholarship amount per pupil shall be determined on the basis of the funds available and the demands thereon at the time the student qualifies. It is to be determined by the Scholarship Trust Committee upon notice to the parties. The scholarship funds shall be invested, with court approval, in interest bearing securities. The court approved Scholarship Trust Committee will administer the fund. The scholarships will be paid out beginning with the 1996-97 school term and will continue thereafter until either the funds are depleted or until the court establishes other requirements. It is anticipated that the interest yield of the scholarship fund will be sufficient to allow approximately one million dollars per year to be devoted to scholarships for pupils from the magnetincentive schools thereafter. This amount is sufficient to provide each student with scholarship funds of $4,000.00 per student. At the point that these schools become racially non identifiable, a report of same will be made to the court by the parties along with a recommendation regarding the disposition of any remaining funds in the scholarship trust fund. STAFFING The magnet incentive schools shall be staffed by the district with those administrators and teachers who are committed to the goals approved by the Court herein both in general and specifically. LRSD RECOMMENDATION: The incumbent teaching staff shall be vacated. The selection criteria, in addition to the appropriate certification or licensing reguirements, are as follows: JOSHUA AND KNIGHT INTERVENORS RECOMMENDATION: The incumbent professional staff in those schools shall be vacated within one week of the Court's approval of this plan and placed into a general pool with other professional staff members. The district shall select from that pool, pursuant to court approved criteria. new staff to fill the magnet incentive school vacancies. The recommended criteria in addition to appropriate 3 certification or licensure requirements submitted for approval by support staff shall be afforded an option to remain at their present school assignment. the They shall agree, however, to undertake necessary training which is required for all staff to be successful in these schools.the court for the selection of magnet school professional staff are as follows: (a) racial balance
(b) successful past experience in working with minority children and parents
(c) sensitivity to cultural and racial differences between minority and majority pre-school and elementary pupils
and (d) willingness to work in the communities where the magnet incentive schools are located at times other than during regular school hours. Staff members who are not selected or decline to participate in the program shall be transferred into comparable positions for which they qualify on the basis of the contract provisions, Articles XVI, XVIII. and XXXVIII. of the Professional Negotiating Agreement between Little Rock and the Little Rock Classroom Teacher's Association. The teachers who are selected to work in the magnet incentive schools shall be entitled to additional pay for the additional work and responsibilities they will have with the magnet incentive schools. A pay schedule for the additional work for teachers in the magnet incentive schools which is supplemental to the existing pay schedule. It shall be based upon a figure of not less than 20% of the base pay which each teacher earns pursuant to the regular salary schedule. This is consistent with present practice for additional time during the regular school day for which some teachers are presently paid. The contracts of magnet incentive school teachers during the 1990-91 school term shall be for ten and three fourths months withthe understanding that, by mutual agreement of the teacher and the district, the contract may be extended to the extent necessary for a period up to an additional one month. The reason for the contract period being ten and three fourths month for the 1990-91 school year is explained as follows. The district presently extends to all teachers a contract for nine and one fourth months or 192 days. The additional one and one half month takes into account approximately four weeks for magnet incentive school staff development and approximately two weeks for preparation of SEPs and for extended year programs which are not available in the other schools. It is not expected that all teachers will be employed on supplemental contracts during the 1991-92 and subseguent school years. 4 The number of teachers necessary for the supplemental time requirements of the magnet incentive schools shall be determined by the district at the end of each school year beginning in June of 1991 and continuing each year thereafter at approximately that time. The district shall, of course, have the authority to extend contracts as necessary, on an objective, impartial basis, in order to meet the expectations of the court. For 1991-92 and thereafter the district shall be authorized to vary the length of contracts in *Each magnet incentive school teacher shall be required to spend at least seven (7) additional hours per week. While these seven (7) hours are fixed they are expected to be arranged to accommodate the individualized needs of the students to the extent necessary. it is however, that absent compelling circumstances, each teacher shall spend two hours for each of three It expected, days and one Saturday per month for four hours. Days deemed undesirable shall be adjusted so that they can be equitably distributed among staff by the associate superintendent. Fridays and Mondays shall be rotated among all staff.Q Ik r> he I I < ) J,U-Tj (.l\f^ 9 ,0 A. //(^ rCL IC a c> ,-(/ /ir i. G'H c":3 I p'T 1'^ ahaccordance with objectively determined needs and expectations. There shall also be an extensive teacher aide program. It's purposes shall be two fold: (1) to assist the teachers and the administrators in the classroom, with the extended day, Saturday and year programs
(2) to supervise children in the lunch room, the playground and on field trips as necessary
and (3) to help develop minority teachers for possible future placement in the district. There shall be at least one teacher aide for each teacher. There shall also be at least one person employed in a professional capacity to coordinate field trips so that there will be a correlation between those learning experiences and the expected learning experiences which occur within the classroom in particular and the school in general. An adequate number of student aides will be selected to perform this function. They will be paid as part time employees on an hourly basis which is commensurate with the local rate of pay for comparable work. In keeping with the recommendations of the Metropolitan Supervisor and for otherwise independent good reasons, the district shall arrange and pay for educational courses which facilitate the objectives herein for the teacher aides at any teacher training institution in Central Arkansas that is accredited by North Central Association. The courses shall be college degree oriented with an emphasis upon teacher preparation.<t<2nt yyr r>^ V A 'f I i V Ci*jt
k ^j " 5 i3 H r < A L> fc ( >< - -^i t, % 3t5^* John w. Walker, p.a. Attorney At Law 1723 Broadway Little Rock. Arkansas 7220c Telephone (501) 374-3758 FAX (501) 374-4187 JOHN W. WALKER RALPH WASHINGTON MARK BURNETTE 'WILEY A. BRANTON. JR. Admitted to Practice in Georgia i the District of Columbia only. March 13, L990 LAZAR M. PALNICK LAW & FINANCE BLDG SUITE 1002 429 FOURTH AVENUE PITTSBURGH. PA 15219 (412) 288-9220 Ms. Arma Hart Assistant Metropolitan Supervisor Pulaski County School Systems Little Rock, AR Dear Ms. Hart: Enclosed is a copy of the letter which was sent to Beth Deere explaining the incentive school idea and proposed budget. I am still working on the draft which you and I discussed yesterday regarding refinement to the incentive school program. I appreciate our meeting* I feel that it was highly productive and that your insight was most helpful. S:^cerely, Walker JWW:Ip Enclosure JOHN W. WALKER, P.A. Attorney At Law 1723 Broadway Little Rock. Arkansas 72200 Telephone (501) 374-3758 FAX (501) 374-4187 JOHN W. WALKER RALPH WASHINGTON MARK BURNETTE WILEY A. BRANTON. JR. Admitted to Pnctic* in Georgia 4- the District of Columbia only May 2, 1989 LAZAR M. PALNICK LAW & FINANCE BLDG. SUITE 1002 429 FOURTH AVENUE PITTSBURGH. PA 15219 (412) 288-9220 Ms. Beth Deere United States District Court U.S. Post Office & Courthouse Little Rock, AR 72201 Dear Ms. Deere: ' Special Master Aubrey McCutcheon has indicated that he intends to recommend the funding of the incentive schools as proposed by the parties and to recommend the appointment of a consultant or other person to develop the programs and incentives for those schools. The purpose of this letter is to: (1) request the Court to allow Little Rock and Joshua to have input into that process
and (2) to suggest certain considerations that have been shared with our clients about what they may expect from those schools over the next five to seven years. The proposals that were submitted for the incentive schools were not completed as Mr. McCutcheon observed. Our expert witnesses advise us that many of the ideas that Mr. James Jennings and Ms. Beverly White shared verbally about the workings of the incentive programs appeared to be useful in achieving the objective of remediating achievement disparities. The district staff did not address the specifics of the incentive school program fully, in part, because of the extensive amount of lawyer time spent in negotiating and otherwise securing the parties' approval of the settlement with the State of Arkansas. was, during that time, somewhat unaccessible to the district staff so that they did not secure my specific input into their planning. The incentive school program, while presented by me, was developed in consultation with black community leaders who were concerned about the disparate transportation burdens imposed upon black youngsters, the relative shortage of classroom space east of University Avenue, and the fact that black young people simply were not learning in the schools. The incentive school program IPage Two Ms. Beth Deere May 2, 1989 was designed to provide regular education from 8:00 until 3:00. During that time, there would be only limited attention given to the segregating programs such as gifted and special education classes. The 8:00 until 3:00 classes would be as rigorous as any in the school district. The special needs of the pupils in the incentive schools would be identified in the form of individual education plans similar to those developed for special students and would be addressed in the after school programs. The second part of the incentive school program would begin at 3:00 and extend at least until 5:30 each day, and would also continue on Saturdays as well. This part of the program would be devoted to the remediation and enhancement needs of each child and would be conducted in such a way as to promote each child's interest in being comfortable with a school setting most of the time. The third key part of the incentive school program would be the special role of the staff. Staff members would be expected to work approximately twenty percent more time than regular staff members. These staff members would have a specific commitment to the goals and objectives herein and would be capable of empathetic relationships with the students of these schools, their parents and the surrounding community. The fourth key part of the incentive school program would be the employment and utilization of aides and others who would supplement the teaching and professional certified staff. The aides would be recruited from parents and students in the higher grades and would work with the teachers, parents and professional staff to achieve the objectives of the plan. The aides would be selected in part because of their interest in education and in furthering their own education. The idea would be to develop, with district sponsorship, over a period of five to seven years, a number of aides as teachers or professionals who would be available for employment with in the district. The fifth part of the incentive school program provides scholarship The amount and terms of the scholarships assistance to the youngsters who are assigned or who choose to remain in those schools. have not been established, but it was contemplated by us that approximately twenty percent of the double funding would be placed into a trust fund for these youngsters. The total number of students assigned to the incentive schools or who remain there after having had a choice option for the next and succeeding years. The scholarship amounts contemplated would be set to ensure that between one and four years college tuition and costs would be made available to these students based upon the average cost of public higher education in Arkansas at this time.Page Three Ms. Beth Deere May 2, 1989 The enhancement programs would be numerous and would require specially trained persons to develop and implement them. We have many ideas that we would share with the district or with such other person(s) that the Master may designate. These schools should logically begin by July 15 with summer enrichment programs which would continue through September 1 or thereabout. Regular School Programs would begin about September 5 and end as scheduled except that educational continuation programs would be extended as need until July 1 of the next school term. Moreover, assuming an approximately one to fifteen teacher pupil ratio for approximately 2,500 pupils, the minimum incentive staff would be: Regular Year Programs Total Assistant Superintendent and Staff Teachers Counselors Principals Teacher Aides Student Assistants (Part-time High School Students) Drama Specialists Music Specialists Drama & Music Aides Art Specialists Art Aides Grammar Specialists Field Trip Coordinator Field Trip Staff (Aides and Teachers) 4 166 8 8 166 83 3 6 12 6 12 12 18 1 The budget would be set and generally as follows
Total available revenue for the schools, not transportation and other special funding sources including 2,500 pupils X $6,000 per pupil = $15,000,000 Expenses Certified Staff 220 X average $24,000 = $5,280,000 Benefits $ 530,000Page Four Ms. Beth Deere May 2, 1989 Aides (Full-time) 211 X $10,000 including benefits $2,111,000 $ Administrative Staff 100,000 Part-time Student Assistants 83 X $4,000 Continuation - 332,000 Summer School (extra staff?) 250,000 Programs Field Trips $100 per child 250,000 Activities in school $200 per child 500,000 Equipment, Instruments, Mise. $200 per child 500,000 Aide College Tuition 166 X $1,300 216,000 Parent Programs 1,000 - 1,500 parents at $100 per parent 125,000 Scholarships $600 X 2,500 (escrowed) $1,500,000 Materials and Supplies $50 per pupil 125,000 Testing and Evaluation $100 per pupil 250,000 Meals $250 per pupil 513,000 = $ $ $ $ $ = $ $ $ $ $Page Five Ms. Beth Deere May 2, 1989 Miscellaneous $ 418,000 Total $15,000,000 Staffing Monitoring and general oversight would be at the top administrative level. These costs would be absorbed by the district's budget for administrative and evaluation. Staff criteria and the section process should be developed cooperatively with the parties, especially the teacher groups. This should be put into place at once if the incentive programs have a chance to effectively work this year, as it must in face of the recent MPT results.A? s E li 12 W^^S53^1 : A f , " Little Rock School District April 2, 1990 TO: Office of the Metropolitan Supervisor FROM: Incentive School Scholarship Trust Committee SUBJECT: Scholarship Trust Fund Report The Tri-District Desegregation Plan states that representatives from the Little Rock School District, the Arkansas Department of Education, the Joshua Intervenors, and the Knight Intervenors will administer the incentive school scholarship fund. The Plan also states that a Trust Committee composed of business persons, parents, administrators and teachers will administer the trust fund. The Plan further states that fully developed plans for the scholarship program will be submitted to the Metropolitan Supervisor by April 1, 1990. Because it is unclear which committee is responsible for submitting fully developed plans on April 1, the parties in the case each appointed a representative to prepare a report for the Metropolitan Supervisor's review. The Plan specifically states several guidelines for the scholarship program: 1. A Trust fund will be established for each student who completes at least one full school year at an incentive school. 2. Each student will earn $400 for each full year of enrollment at an incentive school. 3. The funds plus interest will be used for post-secondary education and paid directly to the post-secondary institution. 4. The scholarship program must have a strong counseling and support program monitored by the Bi-racial Committee for the Little Rock School District and an incentive school coordinator. 5. The college tuition program will be given to any black students in the incentive schools who transfer to the school built to accommodate the incentive school students educated in the Pulaski County Special School Di strict. 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)374-3361i. Office of the Metropolitan Supervisor March 29, 1990 Page 2 This committee proposes the following additions to the scholarship program for the incentive schools: 1. Current sixth graders enrolled in Ish, Stephens, Rockefeller, Rightsell, Garland, and Mitchell will receive a $400 credit for the 1989-90 school year and a $200 credit for each prior year of attendance in these schools if the student has attended one of these schools for four or more years. 2. In 1990-91 students will earn $400 for a full year of attendance and $200 for prior years if the student had attended an eligible school for four or more prior years. 3. Kindergarten students who enroll for 1990-91 will be the only students eligible to earn seven years of $400 credits (1996-97 will be the last year a student may earn credit for the scholarship program). 4. The Little Rock School District will fund the program from proceeds from its desegregation settlement with the State of Arkansas. 5. The Little Rock School District will begin to fund the program by January 1, 1991according to the following schedule: January 1, 1991 January 1, 1992 January 1, 1993 January 1, 1994 January 1, 1995 January 1, 1996 January 1, 1997 January 1, 1998 for credits earned during for credits earned during for credits earned during for credits earned during for credits earned during for credits earned during for credits earned during for credits earned during 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 The last contribution to the fund will be January 1, 1998. The committee recommends that when students transfer to the incentive schools from other districts under the majority-to-minority transfer program, the sending district is responsible for funding credits earned by that student. 6. To retain eligibility for the scholarship program, the student must remain in the Little Rock, North Little Rock, or Pulaski County Special School District after leaving an incentive school. (If extenuating circumstances require that a student leave the system, the student may apply to the Trust Committee for a waiver from this requirement.) 7. If for any reason an incentive school is closed, the students enrolled in the school for the full year prior to the closing will retain eligibility for the scholarship program and will earn credits as if attending an incentive school.' Office of the Metropolitan Supervisor March 29, 1990 Page 3 8. The scholarships will be limited to accredited State supported colleges and universities. 9. The amount available for an individual scholarship will be at least the accumulation of amounts earned for attendance plus interest but no more than tuition costs. After much discussion about the mechanics of determining the scholarship amount, we realized that several issues must be considered--effective earnings. non-participation of eligible students, etc. These issues are very complicated and will take a considerable amount of time, study, and calculations to make a reliable estimation. For this reason, we recommend that we as a committee initiate the establishment of the Trust and suggest (within legal purchasing requirements) an agent to serve as an investment manager. Once the Trust is legally established, the parties will formally appoint trustees who will determine the most equitable method for determining scholarship amounts as eligible students begin to make application for proceeds from the Trust. Respectfully Submitted, Ashvin Vihbaker, Parent Financial Committee John Fincher, Arkansas Department of Education Stella Hayes, Knight Intervenors Wiley Branton, Joshua Intervenors Chip Jones, Little Rock School DistrictJ J n. OKe ViB ot 4\995 .jur4 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT BASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS WESTERN DIVISION LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL. V. NO. LR-C-82-866 PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL. MRS. LORENE JOSHUA, ET AL. KATHERINE W. KNIGHT, ET AL. MOTION FILED FEB 0 2 1993 J.*.-* R- 16. CLEF^ DEP. CLERK PLAINTIFFS DEFENDANTS INTERVENORS INTERVENORS The Joshua Intervenors respectfully request the Court as f
/. follows: 1. To require the (defendant) plaintiff Little Rock School District to consult with Joshua and the others parties prior to making any desegregation plan alterations which require court approval
and 2. To require the defendants to include in their budget ^< <' projections the scholarship commitments made either by the school district or by the Joshua Intervenors to the parties and to the Court, including the Court of Appeals, for the pupils who attend or have attended the incentive schools since the inception of the Court approved Desegregation Plan herein. The support for this motion is found in the Desegregation Plan itself as well as in the oral arguments in the Court of Appeals made by the school district. Those commitments have been reinforced by the testimony of Dr. Ruth Steele, Dr. James Jennings r Mrs. Estelle Mathis, and every other school official other than Dr. Mac Bernd who was not privy to the agreements or commitments madeX as set forth above. without the scholarship conunitments being made a integral part of the budget of the district. the district proposes to abort the settlement. Joshua requests an Order regarding this matter so that either party may appeal. This is so because the district, under the leadership of a new superintendent, appears to disregard the basic tenets of the agreement which caused the Court of Appeals to approve the settlement herein. Respectfully submitted. JOHN W. WALKER, P.A. 1723 Broadway Little Rock, AR (501) 374-3758 72206 ORIGINAL SIGNED BY UNDERSIG^"^" John W. Walker, Bar #64046 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, John W. Walker, hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing document has been served upon record by hand-delivery on this ___ day of ------ all counsel of , 1993. ORIGINAL SIGNED BY UNDERSIGNED COUNSEL John W. Walker Af'LEn Disicc RECEIVED rASTEKM CJSTRCr A- 92 JUL 53 PU G: AUG 4 1993 u I J IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT, QOURT EASTERN DI STRICT'-OF- ARKANSAS- WESTERN DI^.ISION I Office of Desegregation Monitoring (/ LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL. PLAINTIFFS V. NO. LR-C-82-866 PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL. DEFENDANTS MRS. LORENE JOSHUA, ET AL. INTERVENORS KATHERINE W. KNIGHT, ET AL. INTERVENORS MOTION FOR CORRECTION OF FINDING OF FACT OR CONCLUSION OF LAW AND MOTION FOR RULING ON REQUEST THAT INCENTIVE SCHOOL BENEFITS INCLUDING SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS FOLLOW THE INCENTIVE SCHOOL CHILDREN The Joshua Intervenors respectfully move for correction of finding of fact or conclusion of law and for a ruling on their request that incentive school benefits. including scholarship commitments to incentive school children follow the incentive school children upon their reassignment to another virtually all black school, to wit, the new King Elementary School. 1. The Court indicates that Joshua did not object to the Little Rock survey on a timely basis, i.e., within five days, and therefore, Joshua cannot complain about the manner in which the survey was carried out and/or interpreted and implemented. Joshua did not object to the survey at all before the fact. It only objected after the fact to the good faith of the defendants in the manner in which they conducted the survey and to the conclusion that students who did not affirmatively respond to attend Ish were to be regarded as affirmatively choosing or electing to attend King. Our position was that it was just aslikely that the non-respondents would attend Ish in the same proportion as the respondents as it was for the district to conclude that all of the non-respondents would elect to attend King. We respectfully submit that no citation of authority is needed for that proposition. The Status Report of the district could not have been objected to until it was issued. The Status Report was filed on July 16, 1993. Our objection was to the manner in which the survey was conducted. We note that in the Affidavit from Ms. Marie Parker the district sets forth five separate events for which there are no dates other than June, 1993 and four separate dates for which there are no dates other than July, 1993. The absence of dates by the district is an indication that the district did not know when it did certain things or perhaps that it did not do them. It is for this reason, inter alia. that we requested a hearing. Our 2 . objection was not ripe until after the survey results were in and after the district submitted its Status Report if we had no objection to the announced process. What the Court appears to be saying is that if we do not object to the process on the front end. we cannot complain about the results on the back end. Denial of equal protection is the effect of the result of the process. 3. The Court has yet to rule upon our repeated requests for settlement plan implementation of the special benefits which were designed to flow to the Ish children because of its segregated character. The Court still does not rule. The Court has consistently ruled, however, and the evidence shows that the Little Rock School District has been absolutely derelict in seeking tochildren with benefits promised by the plan. The Court's ruling in closing Ish and in assigning the Ish children to another racially identifiable school, King, albeit a new school, is contrary to the settlement plan. . 4. The authority for the motions in this case IS the Desegregation Plan itself and the various rulings of the Court of Appeals herein. 949 F.2d. 253 (Sth Cir. 1991). The fine tuning suggestions of the plan or of the Court of Appeals' ruling are inapposite under the circumstances herein because the district itself IS responsible for the failure of desegregation and integration of Ish by its utter failure to enhance Ish and to provide it with the necessary "incentives." The Court thus appears to reward the wrongdoer and to punish the children by the challenged school closure. WHEREFORE, the Joshua Intervenors respectfully request the district court to modify its opinion herein by rescinding its order to close the Ish incentive school. In the absence of modification. the Court is requested to issue an Order requiring that all incentive school benefits, including scholarship benefits, follow the incentive school children wherever they may be assigned. Moreover, in the event that King opens as a racially identifiable school, Joshua further requests that it become an incentive school so that all children therein will have the benefit of incentive school programs including the promised scholarships. Respectfully submitted. JOSHUA INTERVENORSI ( By: ohn W. Walker, Bar #64046 JOHN W. WALKER, P.A. 1723 Broadway Little Rock, AR (501) 374-3758 72206 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, John W. Walker, hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing document has been served upon all counsel of record by U.S. Mail on this 2nd day of August, 1993. / + John W. Walker / / U.S. SiLRJ n n I'**- mr CO!
: IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRlIOTb COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF 'ARKAf^SAS'' ' WESTERN DIVISION ^"EHTS.CLE LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL. BY. OHP. GLR: PLAINTIFFS V. NO. LR-C-82-866 PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL. DEFENDANTS MRS. LORENE JOSHUA, ET AL. INTERVENORS KATHERINE W. KNIGHT, ET AL. INTERVENORS MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITY The authorities for the motion filed herewith are: The Desegregation Plans of the district
The Court of Appeals' opinions approving the settlement plans herein. See 949 F.2d. 253 (8th Cir. 1991)
and The various Opinions and Orders of this Court finding the Little Rock School District to be out of compliance with the Desegregation Plan. The proceeding before the court is an implementation one. We submit that no separate authority is required in implementation - the plan itself is the authority. Where the distric defaults in 1. 2 . 3. its duty, the court is required to act to the benefit of the black children herein. These children are not being benefitted by having their incentive school benefits withdrawn on the one hand and by their concomitant assignment to another virtually all black school on the other hand. (King will probably open as an eighty per cent or more black school
it will thus be racially identifiable) Respectfully submitted. JOSHUA INTERVENORSBy
ll' > /john W. Walker, Bar #64046 I JOHN W. WALKER, P.A. 1723 Broadway Little Rock, AR (501) 374-3758 72206 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, John W. Walker, hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing document has been served upon all counsel of record by U.S. Mail on this 2nd .day of August, 1993. / .trohn'W. Walker /i S f. JOfl JoO rf 1 J UR 2 ud I (R i I I t I :l fw 2 ST 'lOl 22 1 ob nen lonq insq 1 2 3 4 5 V Ai' t MRi WALKERi THE COURTi 6 Yes, ma'am. -T that has not bean addressed. know, whan-I parmittad the suggested that as As you district to . survey
the students , I,, an incentive,-they might orfer soma of these benefits that are offered to 1ncentive .school as an.incentive to 3 6 get the kids to go to Ish. V 7 I have not in any wayirulad w1th . respectto that 8 6 motion, however, and I had assumed that the:Incentive school of one thing and that the Interdistrict magnet is another w1 th
* 01 10 respect to this 1 can't remember what it's called. What i s I J. 11 the magnet program called? i: t 12 iif'i MS. BROWN 1 High intensity learning. El 2. 1 f. 81 T1 81 ei OS XS SS S AS as 9 13 14 16 16 17 18 IB 20 21 22 23 24 26 remembe r. but I some the COURTi High intensity learning. But, In any event, I I couldn't will ba addressing that later. did not Intend to address it today. preliminary questions about King. MR. WALKER J THE COURTi
although 1 do have All right, your Honor. And with respect to scholarships. Mr. Walker keeps reminding the Court that we scho1arshi ps. The scholarship issue is a In terms of how to I know . have not ruled' on really hard one.for
me administer the schoIarships,' and a 1 so , as 1 recall, the Plan does not commit the Litt Ie.Hock Uistrict to scholarships absolutely. to di scuss 11. MR. WALKERi but commits the district1n good>faith That's where wo differ^ < Ihat's why we '
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