Little Rock Schools: Fair Park Elementary

Ms Linda Leakey L
itleRock,AR. 72205-3722 01 ' CclirfctfulS NitliohR,! Sl:.'^*<% S F FEB 1 5 1995 Office of Oesegregaiion Little Rock School District Fair Park School Relocation A Business Case January, 1995 Addition Modification Z Deletion $637,000 savings l//'KFair Park School Relocation Business Case 2 Executive Summary For several years, the Little Rock School District (LRSD) has faced Though many strategies were developed to cut costs, most have been < austere budgets. , , * ------------------------- one time cuts. A comparison of the district's total building capacity and total enrollment shows vacant seats. While a larger than normal number of desegregation, the number of vacant seats many seats are necessary for is significant. Said another way, LRSD has too many school buildings. The financing of any school is a major expense. Therefore, serious consideration must be given to closing some schools. It is a reasonable strategy. e savings are significant and are repeated from year to year. As attractive as it is to saving money, it is more unattractive to the patrons of the school considered for closing. Because it is an emotional i.s.sup. roooarrii ___j __i.-__._ issue, specific research criteria were used in making the decision about which school to close. Fair Park has become expendable as a public school because of its isolation, its declining enrollment, and its increasing costs in per pupil expenditure and in building operation. The following are reasons why Fair Park Elementary School is considered for closing: 1. 2. As of October 1,1994, the school was filled to only 80.34% of its capacity
The capacity of the school itself (351) is below the district average of 425 for ekmentary schools. Therefore, if the school were at capacity, the size itself is significantly below the average
area 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Enrollment since 1989 has declined from 332 to 282 and is expected to continue
The school is out of racial balance by 12.34%. It has not been within balance as far back as 1989 in spite of efforts to reverse this
The per pupil cost has increased
Operational costs for the building have increased to make this school as one on the most expensive to operate annually
The building is in need of renovation and upgrading. Together these costs will exceed $1,000,000, which is considerably more that the average cost of renovation and upgrading needed at other buildings
By the opening of school for 1995-96, Fair Park students will be relocated, faculty wiU be reassigned according to the negotiated contract, and appropriate reductions in positions will be completed with a minimum of disruption to these individuals and the school district. Plan. Fulfilling this proposal will require a modification to the LRSD Desegregation This proposal supports LRSD goals relating to securing financial resources necessary to support schools and the desegregation program. The problem will be considered solved if the following list of criteria is met
1. New attendance zones affected by this relocation will reflect a better racial balance
SHtomuMK Or Hntn-P **iliT-i TuiirnjiiiTiWiii nr FtnMcrxvFair Park School Relocation Business Case 3 2. 3. 4. The community is given the opportunity to be heard on the decision
Transportation is re-routed to accommodate these students
Special activities are planned and implemented by each new school to make the new students and patrons feel welcomed
0. New patrons are included in appropriate school correspondence and activities with those who have been enrolled
6. Leaders within tire community are made aware of the relocation plan and have the opportunity for input
s Immediate cost savings is realized
and, The relocation of students and staff at will be complete before the opening of school tnr T QQ^ 04. for 1995-96. Most of these benefits will occur when the process concludes. Desegregation Plan goals will not be altered. Parent concerns about the process and their newly assigned school will be minimal. District officials are aware that the commumty will be concerned about relocating the students. A number of school buddings have been abandoned in the city, piese are of paramount concern to many community members. Some will want to know if a plan exists for use of the building when the students are relocated. Some will w^t assurance that students will receive equal program quality in the reassigned school. While these concerns are understandable, we believe we can offer our students an equal program in a more economical way while achieving a better racial balance. Negatives 1. Students and staff will their friends
experience some disappointment in being separated from 2. 3. Commumty reaction will be strong against the decision for fear of the impact on the community as mentioned above
The building may stand vacant for a period of time if not used by an agency or the community
4. The general community may react to the redrawing of attendance general area of the city. zones in that Positives 1. Students will receive assignment to schools equal to current programs
2. Special activities will be planned and implemented by each newly assigned school make new students and patrons feel welcomed
to Swtwmwd tw O Hmvt r Wt oi'Ot'ws R- ranttcoocPair Park School Relocation Business Case 4 3. New patrons are included in appropriate school correspondence and activities with those who have been enrolled
4. Elementary schools in contiguous areas are capable of absorbing the student population of Fair Park
5. Immediate and year-to-year cost savings will be realized of approximately $637,000
6. The Fair Park School facility may be available to the community for use pending court approval. risks of not implementing this solution is increasing district costs thus inhibiting the expected goals of desegregation and responsible fiscal management. It is critical that the process be complete before the opening of school for 1995-96. H this solution is to be implemented, patrons will need to know immediately after the Board of Directors decides to pursue this alternative. Awareness and input must be generated in the community through meetings. Eventually, students must be notified of their new assignments, and a number of other tasks as noted in the timeline (later page) must be addressed. This will impact projected enrollment at other schools, transportation, food services, and the relocation of students, staff, and equipment. The following milestones for implementing this proposal are suggested and will be monitored by the Associate Superintendent for Desegregation. ____________ Milestone _______________ 1. Develop a list of key people in the community who should be contacted immediately 2. Contact the principals of surrounding schools who may be affected by the relocation 3. Business Case presented to the LRSD Board of Directors for approval_____________ 4. Make contact with key people in the community who should be contacted immediately and solicit support for getting people to community information meetings. Include PTA president and ministers. _______________ 5. Compile list and mailing labels of all students living in the Fair Park School attendance zone and those scheduled to attend the school. Sort the lists by: a) those who attend Fair Park School but live outside of the attendance zone b) those who attend Fair Park School but live in the attendance zone
and, c) those who do not attend Fair Park School but live in the attendance zone._ 6. Develop notice of relocation and date of community information meeting to send to: a) parents & students: b) community groups and churches
c) media (press release) d) for door-to-door delivery in the neighborhood ___________________ 7. Conduct informational meeting with the principal, faculty, and staff about the process 8. Mail notice of possible relocation and date of community infonnation meeting to: a) parents & students
b) community groups and churches: c) media (press release)____________________________________ 9. Deliver fliers, door-to-door, announcing the relocation and date of the information meeting__________________ 10. Conduct community information meetings by___________________ 11. Notify finance person to include this as a budget reduction strategy________ 12. File motion with the U. S. Federal Court to relocate students at Fair Park School Date 1/13/95 1/25/95 1/31/95 2/10/95 2/10/95 2/10/95 2/10/95 212^135 2/22/95 2/28/95 3/3/95 3/15/95 Person Modeste Modeste Williams Modeste Mayo Mayo Modeste Mayo Mayo Williams Williams Williams SoMitMtaM K n HMn r WdliMM. Swiwnniiih^ m OIW'W, K- FwcocrFair Park School Relocation Business Case 3 Milestone 13. Develop letter to parents and students with 14. Inventory building_______ announcement and reassignment. 15. Design plan for new attendance zones in southwest.______ 16. Mail letter to parents and students with announcement and assignment 17. Remove materials and equipment from schSoT ' 18. Reroute transportation of students 19. Secure building 20. Reassign staff 21. Send final assignment notices Date 4/19/95 5/30/95 6/1/95 6/15/95 7/31/95 7/31/95 7/31/95 7/31/95 8/1/95 Person Mayo Neal Mayo Mayo Eaton Cheatham Eaton Hurley Mayo Background For several years, the Little Rock School District (LRSD) has faced austere budgets. Though many strategies were developed to cut costs, most have been one time cuts. A comparison of the district's total buUding capacity and total enrollment shows vacant seats. While a larger than normal number of many seats are necessary for ^segregation, the number of vacant seats is significant. Said another way, LRSD has too many school buildings. The financing of any school is a major expense. Therefore, ^rious consideration must be given to closing some schools. It is a reasonable strategy' The savings are significant and are repeated from year to year. As attractive as it is to saving money, it is more unattractive to the patrons of the school considered for closing. Because it is an emotional issue, specific research criteria were used in making the decision about which school to close. Based on the criteria used. Fair Park Elementary School is a school that must be considered for closing. It is located north of 1-630 and just west of University Avenue in the City of Little Rock. See Attachment A. Reasons for this conclusion are explained in this business case. I Problem Definition Fair Park has become expendable as a public school because of its isolation, its declining enrollment, and its increasing costs in per pupil expenditure and in building operation. The following are reasons why Fair Park Elementary School is considered for closing: 1. As of October 1,1994, the school was filled to only 80.34% of its capacity
2. The capacity of the school itself (351) is below the district average of 425 for area elementary' schools. Therefore, if the school were at capacity, the size itself is . significantly below the average
3. Enrollment since 1989 has declined from 332 to 282 and is expected to continue
llllulll il K t> HMn P WiliMm.iwfvnnMaMm rpKriiFair Park School Relocation Business Case 6 4. 5. 6. The school is out of racial balance by 12.34%. back as 1989 in spite of efforts to reverse this
The per pupil cost has increased
It has not been within balance as far Operational costs for the building have increased to make this school as one most expensive to operate annually
on the 7. The building is in need of renovation and upgrading. Together these costs will exceed $1,000,000, which is considerably more that the average cost of renovation and upgrading needed at other buildings
Figure I illustrates some of these trends. Figure 1 Fair Park Elementary Enrollment History Criteria Enrollmenfl % Black % Out of Balance Capacity Attnd. Zone TtlF 1989-90 199Q-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 AZ % Black 332 72.00 12.00 94.59 345 80.87 20.87 98.29 320 80.31 20.31 91.17 243 79.01 19.01 69.23 263 76.05 16.05 74.93 343 49.27 282 72.34 12.34 80.34 348 53.44 I Analysis of Alternatives Solutions were discussed with a committee representing administrators in the LRSD. Data on attendance zones, enrollment, ethnic makeup of students in the school as well as those in the attendance zone were reviewed. After considerable discussion, it was decided that three things must be addressed for an alternative to be satisfactory. They were age of building, increasing costs, and low capacity. Addressing only one or two and not all three aspects seriously compromises an effective solution. Inherent in the selection of an alternative is the assumption that the problem can be addressed adequately if the alternative offers quality for students and cost efficiency Enrollments are for October of each year. - Attendance zone data is available for two years only. 'oriMHIvdK Of Hf" r WilliMM SwrjwinMb W miifin tc nruinrFair Park School Relocation . Business Case 7 for tax-payers. To be a good alternative, it must address adequately all concern. The alternative solutions considered are listed below
areas of 1. Change nothing. This will not address any aspect of the problem and will allow costs to grow annually
2. Kedrnn, the attendance zone to increase the number of students attending Fair Park School. This reduces the per-pupil costs at Fair Park but will increase costs elsewhere since another attendance zone must be reduced to enlarge Fair Park's. Further, it would impact in negative ways the enrollment of other schools. 3. Relocate students from Fair Park to solve the problem. This alternative addresses all three areas of the problem. a) A plan to relocate students wiU be devised. One possible scenario appears in Attachment C
b) An immediate savings of approximately $637,000 will be realized by eliminating the need for management staff, food service, building maintenance. and utilities to name a few
c) Staff win be relocated according to the provisions of the negotiated contract. d) The curriculum offered at Fair Park will be offered at other schools under the program for that particular school. 4. Intensify recruitment efforts. Recruitment has been tried. The results have not been significant. If the enrollment of Fair Park were increased by this effort, it would have a negative impact on neighboring attendance zones. Recommendation Alternative 3 is recommended. 3. Relocate students from Fair Park to solve the problem. This alternative addresses all of the problem areas. I Objective By the opening of school for 1995-96, Fair Park students will be relocated, faculty will be reassigned according to the negotiated contract, and appropriate reductions in positions will be completed with a minimum of disruption to these individuals and the school district. Fulfilling this proposal will require a modification to the LRSD Desegregation This proposal supports LRSD goals relating to securing financial resources Plan. necessary^ to support schools and the desegregation program. The problem will be considered solved if the following list of criteria is met: Or. Hmm* T WditFair Park School Relocation Business Case 8 1. 2. 3. 4. New attendance zones affected by this relocation will reflect a better racial balance
The community is given the opportunity to be heard on the decision
Transportation is re-routed to accommodate these students
Special activities are planned and implemented by each new school to make the new students and patrons feel welcomed
5. New patrons are included in appropriate school correspondence and activities with those who have been enrolled
6. Leaders within the community are made aware of the relocation plan and have the opportunity for input
7. 8. Immediate cost savings is realized
and, The relocation of students and staff at will be complete before the opening of school for 1995-96. Most of these benefits will occur when the process concludes. Desegregation Plan goals will not be altered. Parent concerns about the process and their newly assigned school will be minimal. I Impact Analysis The desegregation plan must be modified to accommodate this proposal. District officials are aware that the community will be concerned about relocating the students. A number of school buildings have been abandoned in the city. These are of paramoimt concern to many community members. Some will want to know if a plan exists for use of the building when the students are relocated. Some will want assurance that students will receive equal program quality in the reassigned school. While these concerns are understandable, we believe we can offer our students an equal program in a more economical way while achieving a better racial balance. Negatives 1. Students and staff will experience their friends
some disappointment in being separated from 2. 3. Community reaction will be strong against the decision for fear of the impact on the community as mentioned above
The building may stand vacant for a period of time if not used by an agency or the community
4. The general community may react to the redrawing of attendance zones in that general area of the city. DxlaaMUU O Hmrv P w MpK.rr-Fair Park School Relocation Business Case 9 Positives 1. 2. 3. 4. Students will receive assignment to schools equal to current programs
Special activities will be planned and implemented by each newly assigned school make new students and patrons feel welcomed
to New patrons are included in appropriate school correspondence and activities with those who have been enrolled
Elementary schools in contiguous areas are capable of absorbing the student population of Fair Park
. Immediate and year-to-year cost savings will be realized of approximately $637,000
6. The Fair Park School facility may be available to the community for use pending court a T-iT^-r 7 o 1 approval. Risks implementing this solution is increasing district costs thus inhibiting the expected goals of desegregation and responsible fiscal management. The risks of implementation of this solution are several. Some are criticism for abandoning another school building in the community, inconveniencing the students who walk to school, and the possibility that this solution will not realize all of the benefits exactly as anticipated. Timing It is critical that the process be complete before the opening of school for 1995-96. If this solution is to be implemented, patrons will need to know immediately after the Board of Directors decides to pursue this alternative. Awareness and input must be generated in the community through meetings. Eventually, students must be notified of their new assignments, and a number of other tasks as noted in the timeline (later page) must be addressed. This will impact projected enrollment at other schools, transportation, food services, and the relocation of students, staff, and equipment. I Resources Analysis Personnel No additional positions are necessary to implement this proposal. Instead, some positions will be eliminated. No one zoill lose his or her job, however. Attrition will be used to eliminate positions. oi/nzt iw- fnK (wFair Park School Relocation Business Case 10 Financial A savings of approximately $637,000 is the estimated benefit under this plan. This includes the cost of relocating students, staff, and equipment. The savings are year-to-year. Revenue Source A source of revenue is unnecessary. Implementation of this proposal cost-reducing strategy for the district's budget. creates a I Force Field Ana lysis Primary supporters of this proposal will be those who do not have children attending the school. The Board of Directors and adirunistration of the school district are well aware of the improvement this solution wiU bring for student opportunities and for cost savings. Those most opposed to the solution will be those in the immediate area of the school. These include some parents of students attending the school, community groups, and churches. They may argue that too many buildings have been closed, abandoned, and now are eye-sores in communities
That a school is the life of a wholesome community. Some say that removing a school from a community removes the last hope for the survival of that community. The negative reaction may be reduced by keeping everyone informed as the decision is made and unplemented. One-to-one meetings with key community people will allow for their questions and an attempt to resolve their concerns. I General Implementation Plan The following milestones for implementing this proposal are suggested and will be monitored by the Associate Superintendent for Desegregation. Milestone 1. Develop a list of key people in the community who should be contacted immediately 2. Contact the principals of surrounding schools who may be affected by the relocation 3. Business Case presented to the LRSD Soard of Directors for approval_____________ 4. Make contact with key people in the community who should be contacted immediately and solicit support for getting people to community information meetings. Include PTA president and ministers._______________________ 5. Compile list and mailing labels of all students living in the Fair Park School attendance zone and those scheduled to attend the school. Sort the lists by: a) those who attend Fair Park School but live outside of the attendance zone b) those who attend Fair Park School but live in the attendance zone
and, c) those who do not attend Fair Park School but live in the attendance zone. Date 1/13/95 1/25/95 1/31/95 2/10/95 2/10/95 Person Modeste Modeste Williams Modeste Mayo Oi RT rwicoccFair Park School Relocation Business Case 11 Milestone 6. Develop notice of relocation and date of community information meeting to send to- a) parents & students: b) community groups and churches
c) media (press release) d) for door-to-door delivery in the neighborhood 2- Conduct informational meeting with the pnncipal, faculty, and staff ahnnt thp nn-pcc Q nnllAx ---------------_______________ 8. Mail notice of possible relocation and date of a) parents & students
b) community groups and churches
c) media (press release) community information meeting to: 9. Deliver fliers, door-to-door, announcing the relocation and date of the information meeting 10. Conduct community information meetings by ' ------------------- 11. Notify finance person to include this as a budget reduction strategy______ 12. File motion with the U, S. Federal Court to relocate students at Fair Park School .13. Developletter to parents and students with announcement and reassignment 14. Inventory building ' ------------------ 15. Design plan for new attendance zones in southwest._______ 16. Mail letter to parents and students with announcement and assignment_______ 17. Remove materials and equipment from school ----------- 18. Reroute transportation of students -------------------- 19. Secure building ------------------------ 20. Reassign staff ~ ------------------------------------ 21. Send final assignment notices twMWMM K O Hmn r Date 2/10/95 2/10/95 2/20/95 2/22/95 2/28/95 3/3/95 3/15/95 4/19/95 5/30/95 6/1/95 6/15/95 7/31/95 7/31/95 7/31/95 7/31/95 8/1/95 Person Mayo Modeste Mayo Mayo Williams Williams Williams Mayo Neal Mayo Mayo Eaton Cheatham Eaton Hurley Mayo BT ntntxnnrFair Park School Relocation Business Case 12 Copy of map of Little Rock with Fair Park Elementary and other schools ShMiuiM hv O H*M* F MMIt BC nnuLDor 4 Jefferson School V\ i I nr Liffie Rock Sc^i \ \ \ ool District t) - urForest Pa ark School \ \ X \ \ ' \ \ \ kittle S( \North Little Rock School DistridC:
A L net SchoolSl LqWil lams Magnet School: A A hall'High'dcho^ 1 . 2.7- I- r AIR PARK SCHOOL XJ I I J, 'School r High SchooL X t W4 IHE B I- 630 J-kPulaskrHeights ^ulasl<rheights School) School i: tW 7 I LRSD Adm VS . e
Woodruf
I JJ School r -rankkn InceritiveSch^ DrKingJntermsfrra^chow --L.rL. .Dr. King Interdistnc lanc .Qrhnnl-i-----> M I I I phens School LI 1,1 I -J i.rT~rT TTTT Dunbar Junior High School II i-i.i 1.1.j-m-iH I School iljbs Magnet^Fair Park. School Relocation Business Case 13 of pages from 1994-95 Budget relating to the cost of Fair Park Elementary School boMiMMd Or Hmn // RC FWKXXXX JMM 4Mni JMta JMM tMM dMfl Unit Func ObJ * Description Little Rock School District Department Budget 0023 FAIR PARK ELEMENTARY 1105 FOUR YEAR OLD PROGRAM _________________0 j j 0 REGULAR CERTIFICATED________ _________________0120 REGULAR NON CERTIFICATED ________________0210 SOCIAL SECURITY TAX__________ _______________ 0240 INSURANCE____________________ ________________0380 FOOD SERVICES________________ ________________0410 supplIes_____________________ 0416 SUPPLIES - SUPPLY CENTER____ ________________0540 EQUIPMENT-PERSONAL PROPER 0548 EQUIPMENT - SUPPLY CENTER 1105 FOUR YEAR OLD PROGRAM 1110 KINDERGARTEN _______0110 REGULAR CERTIFICATED _______0210 SOCIAL SECURITY TAX_______ _______0240 INSURANCE__________________ _______0410 SUPPLIES____________________ 0412 LOCAL SUPPLIES SP TRACKIN 0416 SUPPLIES SUPPLY CENTER 1110 KINDERGARTEN 1120 ELEMENTARY________________________ 0110 REGULAR CERTIFICATED 0120 REGULAR NON CERTIFICATED__ 0210 SOCIAL SECURITY TAX 0240 INSURANCE_____________________ 0326 REPAIRS-EQUIPMENT 0342 POSTAGE _______0360 PRINTING 4 BINDING-INTERN _______0410 SUPPLIES_______________________ 04 i 6 SUPPLIES SUPPLY CENTER ______ 21 TEXTBOOKS - LOCAL SOURCES 0540 EQUIPMENT-PERSONAL PROPER _______0548 EGUIPMENT SUPPLY CENTER 1120 ELEMENTARY 1124 ELEMENTARY MUSIC_________ 0110 REGULAH CERTIFICATED 0210 SOCIAL SECURITY TAX 0240 INSURANCE Dale
8/ 5/94 Page: 71 Prog: BUIXH)2 Actual 92/93 FTE 92/93 Budget 93/94 Actual 93/94 FTE 93/94 Budget 94/95 FTE 94/95 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 'o^bo 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10,411.00 ___687.75 1,000.68 0.00 1,977.93 0.00 3,600.00 0.00 17,677.36 0.00 9,907^00 745.82 997.20 2^57265 2,849.80 209.03 245.13 918.07 18,444.70 1.00 1.00 24,089.00 20,066.00 3,190.73 3,315.00 5,400.00 3,233.00 0.00 3,600.00 0.00 62,893.73 00 2.00 300 61,488.31 4,703 86 3,081.67 256.47 0.00 0.00 69,530.31 406,546.70 35,187.90 33,793.04 25,237.13 2.84 282.92 109.00 605.15 __3i580,75_ 239^27 1,347.06 469.90 507,401.68 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.00 3.00 12.00 5.00 17.00 68,212.00 4^864.25 2,624.26 212.22 412.00 45.32 76,370.05 68,212.00 5,188.08 2,229.66 436.66 0.00 0.00 76,066.42 2.00 2.00 69.014.00 4,987.08 2,210.00 200.00 200.00 44.00 76,655.08 2.00 2.00 421,628.06 33,567.28 35,039.40 23,663.51 515.00 257.50 257.50 1,414.77 _____1,701.68 _____257^0 772.50 0.00 519,074.70 396,583.85 23,946.98 31,403.34 17,078.75 4.05 163.66 302.80 906.46 ___3,246.62 0.00 472.75 0.00 476,111.48 13.50 4.00 17.50 352,097.00 28,721.70 31,300
44 17,127,50 300.00 100.00 96.50 ___1^200.00 1,700.00' 257.50 500.00 200.00 433,600.64 10.50 3.00 13.50 15.256.00 1,167.00 592.00 17,233.50 1,318.32 565.96 0.50 17,635.00 1,274.34 552.50 0.50Unit Func Obi ~ Description 1124 ELEMENTARY MUSIC J I 95 ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAM _______0120 REGULAR NON CERTIFICATED _______0210 SOCIAL SECURITY TAX________ _______0240 INSURANCE__________________ 1195 ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAM 1220 RESOURCE ROOM____________ 0110 REGULAR CERTIFtCATED _______0210 SOCIAL SECURITY TAX _______0240 INSURANCE_____________ 1220 RESOURCE ROOM Little Rock School District Department Budget Actual 92/93 0.00 FTE 92/93 Budget 93/94 I 17,015.QQ^T Actual 93/94 19,117.78 FTE 93/94 0.50 Budget 94/95 19,461.84 FTE 94/95 0.00 OOP O.PP o'po too too 10,411.00 796.44 1.292.94 12,500.38 6,246.71 45642 600.11 7,302.94 too too 6.246.6P 451.39 663.PP 7.360.99 0.60 0.60 14.392.56 1,101.13 765.59 16,259.28 tso tso 15,226.00 1,085.78 653.15 16,964.93 -30t452.00 2,046.64 1,117.86 33,616.52 0.50 0.50 -2200t00 1,806.84 1,105.00 27,915.84 t.oo too 1580 ACADEMIC PROGRESS GRANTS _______0117 STIPENDS______________________ _______0210 SOCIAL SECURITY TAX__________ _______0331 PUPIL TRANSPORTATION________ _______0360 FOOD SERVICES________________ _______0410 SUPPLIES______________________ 0540 EQUIPMENT-PERSONAL PROPER 1580 ACADEMIC PROGRESS GRANTS 1910 GIFTED AND TALENTED _______0110 REGULAR CERTIFICATED _______0210 SOCIAL SECURITY TAX _______0240 INSURANCE_____________ 1910 GIFTED AND TALENTED 2120 GUIDANCE SERVICES_______ _______0110 REGULAR CERTIFICATED 0210 SOCIAL SECURITY TAX _______0240 INSURANCE_____________ 2120 GUIDANCE SERVICES 2134 NURSING SERVICES 0120 REGULAR NON-CERTIFICATED ___________0210 SOCIAL SECURITY TAX________ 0240 INSURANCE__________________ 2134 NURSING SERVICES Dale
8/ 5/94 Page: 12 Prog: BUD002 4,703.31 751.69 ___940.37 ____29.00 2,585.63 1,079.24 10,089.44 18,044.54 1,360.55 84579 20,270.88 26,719.00 2,043.86 1,518.67 30,281.53 12^44,45 1 j58.26 _L273.28 17,575.99 0.50 0.50 0.60 0.60 0.40 0.40 0.00 0.00 0.00 0^00 0.00 0.00 0.00 OOP O.OP ____OjOO 0.00 3,222.67 4.426.44 7.651.11 0.00 0.00 0.00 ooo OOP 0.00 18,438.00 1,314.83 665.41 20,418.24 11,043.59 844.81 356.48 12,246.86 0.50 0.50 18,436.00 1.332.37 ___552.50 20.322.87 0.50 0.50 14,162.00 1,009.90 648.44 15,820.34 14J03,67 t139.61 1,089.98 17,03326 25.557.47 1,604.61 933.42 28,095.50 10^50.49 ___837.66 ___7009 12,489.09 0.60 0.60 0.40 0.40 32.058.00 2'.316.57 1.105.00 35.479.57 J5,432.65 1,115.19 331.50 16,879.34 1.00 too 0.30 0.30Unit Func Obj Description _______2222 _ SCH^L LIBRARY SERVICES 0 i 10_ REGULA^ 5^'^7nCATEp noncertificated . -23i0_SOCIAL-security TAX _______p240_INSURANCE _______0410 SUPPLIES __________ ______0416 SUPPLIES SUPPLY CFNTFB 2222 SCHOOL LIBRARY SERVICES -34ip__pFFIC^F THE PRINCIPAL 0116 REGULAR CERTIFICATED _______0120 REGULAR NON-CERTIFICAT^ 0124 CLERICAL OVERTIME_ ________0210 SOCIAL SECURITY TAX 0240 INSURANCE___________ _______0410 SUPPLIES _______0416 SUPPLIES - SUPPLY CENTER 2410 OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL 2542 UPKEEP OF BUILDINGS ________0120 REGULAR NON-CERTIFICATFn 012 4 C LERI CAL OVERTIME__ 0210 SOCIAL SECURITY TAX ________0230 PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIR^T 02^ INSURANCE 0321 UTILITY SERVICES-NATURAL 0322 UTILITY SERVICES-ELECTRIC _______0323 UTILITY SER-WATER/SEWAGE/ 2542 UPKEEP OF BUILDINGS 25^ OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES-BU 0416 SUPPLIES SUPPLY CENTER Little Hock School District Department Budget Actual 92/93 FTE 92/93 Budget 93/94 Actual 93/94 FTE 93/94 Budget 94/95 FTE 94/95 40.513.26 12^69.00 -^^-237-^ 2.99007 2.090.80 ____180.95' 62.081.99 44.209.33 16.996.66 _________0.00 _____4^82.36 3.010.54 ________^95 _________0.00 68,925'66 ______0.00 1,964*69 ___698*30 1,686.60 _ 7,304.82 26*673.70 2,327.05 69.022.77 ' --- . . . tel , _____ 1,9 I / .OO 2590 OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES-BU L9?7 6^ L91Z-66 0023 FAIR PARK ELEMENTARY 873.357.37 Dale
8/ 5/94 Page. 7.3 Prog: BUD002 J .00 1.00 2.00 1.00 too 2.00 3.00 3.00 31.00 ___4t729.11_ ____6.698.61 ____2.804.26 2,732.79_ _______176.65 ______257.50 56,399.12 ____42,729.iJ ____12,983'00 4,622.20 _____2J75J0 2,043.39- ________184.16- 63.141.98 1.00 2.00 ______41.729.lf ______5J72^4O ______3.403^65' 1.547.00 _______1,141.00 t141.00 54.334.16 1.00 0.40 1.40 47,375.24 16,059.30 0.00 4,621.13 2,566.65 176.85 257.50 71,056.67 21,574.11 ______0^0 1,660.80 394.30 1,202.79 5,500.00 43,500.00 2,000.00 75,832.00 2.000,00 2.000.00 918.162.05 _46J2^9___ 31,731.99__ ____135^2___ 5,966.42 3,136.92 0.00 ______0^0 87,096.34 15,432.56_ ____780.21___ 1.240.28 167.45 1,06462 8,606.37__ 37,247.41 1,682.45_ 66,241.35 2.395.52 2.395.52 910.017.61 1.00 1.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 30.00 47,631.90 17,19465 0.00 4,664.49 2,21000 ____180.00 260.00 72,161.04 22,962.97 ______0.00 1.660*80 0.00 2,210.00 9,000.00 37,000.00 2,50000 75,353.77 2.000.00 2.000.00 904.418.87 too 1.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 27.80Fair Park School Relocation . Business Case 14 A possible scenario for relocating students !i>miiil0*. Hw P. WiMi Rc.ntntKJXv- Fair Park School Relocation Business Case 15 Possible Scenario for Fair Park Relocation 1. four-year-old class must be relocated intact or a plan modification must be submitted to eliminate this class. 2. Reassign the one hundred and thirty-two students (85 black and 47 non-black) who are not living m Fair Park's attendance zone back to their area school. 3. non-blacks) to reassign. blacks and 5 non-blacks) hundred and twenty-one students (99 blacks and 22 4. Encourage twenty-two non-black students to apply interdistrict schools. to magnet schools, or 5. 6. 1. 8. 9. Reassign 22 non-black students to Brady. Offer 99 black students seats in Incentive Schools. Encourage M-to-M transfers. Reassign zone blocks 511, 512, 513, and 554 to McDermott. McDermott current capacity IS 494 however, in past years it has been higher in to warrant an assistant prmcipal. Effect of Racial Balance on receiving schools: 3 a) b) Magnet and Interdistrict school's racial balance will remain the same. Brady's racial makeup will improve. Brady is currently 64% black and 32.2% non-black. The new balance will be 62.2% black and 37.8% non-black. c) McDermott racial balance wiU shift to 69.3 black if all former Fair Park black students transfer to McDermott. Student assignment must assign black students on a matching basis with non-black students to maintain the current racial balance within the affected magnet schools. ?iii>iiiui < W Or. Hrnn f WiUi m/()/ ir FimuniirFEB-21-95 TUE 15:55 SUSAN W WRIGHT FAX NO. 5013246576 P. 02 FAIR PARR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 6\6 North Harrison Little Rock, AR 72205 Ph. 671-6260 February 21,1095 U. 5. District Judge Susan Webber Wright 600 West Capitol Little Rock. AR 72201 Dear Ju^l^e Wright: The Faculty at Fair Park School asserts that we function In a highly productive manner and should remain a school family In the Fair Park building for these reasons: 1. We have a stable, Integrated faculty who work well together In academic pursuit. We work well together to solve difficult situations that arise with children. Teachers know the families of our children and provide food, clothing, love and a safe haven from gang threats. There Is camaraderie and we have little faculty turn-over. 2. We have worked toward the court ordered racial balance for years and years only to have the attendance zone redrawn and have our white children lost to magnet programs and adjacent area schools. We are the victim of unfair assignment practices. Over and over we have had to re-establish our credibility with new parents coming from new, sometimes far away, neighborhoods. The neighborhood surrounding Fair Park in Is transition. Older families are selling homes. We have an opportunity, again, to recruit new. young families. We are within 20% of our enrollment capacity. We need less than 60 children to meet our maximum enrollment.fiiti-iirys lut lOJbo bUbHN M WKlliHt t-fiX NU. bUlJ^4bb/b H. U3 if we are closed 2S2 children will be relocated adding to the confusion of the attendance zone charts and busing. Adjacent area school are filled to capacity and our white parent have said they will go to private schools if their children are bused out of the area. 3. We have had parents leave our school who have lost faith In empty promises of administrators to help us achieve racial balance and improve our school facilities. We were promised a new roof for a millage Increase, playground improvement when we were able to attain grant for playground eeiulpment, and a recruitment brochure to help to attract new families. There Is no new roof, parents left in the aftermath of the grant money bungle, and we still await a brochure. After ten year we did get new carpet last summer. 4. We have a faculty attuned to the needs of the many pedal, at risk children that attend Fair Park. We have 2 to 3 children per classroom on medication. This is disproportionate to other schools. Many teacher have advance degrees and pedal training In dealing with children with special needs. All of us accept children where they are academically
about one half of our beginner enrollment is below grade level. We work with these students through the grades until they achieve grade-level In sixth grade on standardized tests. In this arena, being a smaller school afford a limited environment that benefits our students. We commend Dr. William on hi choice of a principal for our school. Dr. Branch provides leadership for every facet of our day
from academic through discipline, he Is a strong child advocate. He is a believer In conflict-management. He keep children out of resource placement and centers for the disturbed. He retiulres parents to be responsible for their children and take part In the child's behavioralFEB-21-95 TUE 15:56 SUSAN M WRIGHT FAX NO. 5013246576 P. 04 and learning program. He never raises his voice, he never shows anger
he Is a model of decorum. In the short time he has been at Fair Park we see a marked Improvement In our school climate and morale. This year he has been Instrumental In establishing a basketball team with cheer leaders and a Gentlemen's Club for at risk young men. Budget Suggestions The proposed budget says that w-e ivill save 1.1 million dollars by closing Fair Park and Badgett. We feel that is not true because our building contains asbestos that Is encapsulated and deemed safe In its present state. The expense of disposing of these toxic materials will discourage buyers. The renovation of this building for the IRC would rei^uire rewiring and changing the classrooms Into office space. This would not be feasible because of abestos contamination. The playgrounds would have to be converted to parking space since we have virtually none. An empty building or a storage building would encourage unsavory activities in an enduring, crime-free neighborhood. We suggest that In Heu of closing Fair Park, we prove that Abacus does not work and the system be returned for a saving of $500,000 to $\.000.000 ^tlll owed. have the Josten's computer lab program which teaches and tests math and reading skills for all children In our building. It Is programmed to correlate with our district curriculum and the Stanford S tests. This could be used as a management program at no added expense to the district.FEB-21r95 TUE 15:57 SUSAN W WRIGHT FAX NO. 5013246576 P. 05 Conclusion appreciate that the Little Rock School District must make extensive budget cuts but preying on the most vulnerable schools Is not what the court has mandated and will not provide the necessary budget relief. Sincerely, THE FAIR TARR FACULTY C<4C Office of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown, Federal Monitor 201 East Markham. Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501) 376-6200 Fax (501) 371 -0100 February 27,1995 Fair Park Elementary School Staff 616 North Harrison Little Rock, AR 72205 Dear Staff Members: I am responding to your letter on behalf of Judge Susan Webber Wright. Although she is sensitive to the concerns community members and educators have about desegregation and other educational issues, as a matter of policy. Judge Wright does not correspond directly with citizens. Instead she relies on us in her Office of Desegregation Monitoring (ODM) to discuss school matters with individuals and organizations. I am one of the associate monitors working at the ODM. As you are well aware, the administrative decision to recommend closing Fair Park is one part of the districts overall strategy to trim millions from the budget for the 1995-96 school year. While the superintendent has made that recommendation to the Board of Directors, no decision has been reached. The closing of any school requires court approval. Our office and the court will closely monitor developments to ensure that the districts actions comply with the desegregation plan and prior court orders. Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with the court and this office. Sincerely, Margie Powell Associate Monitor LRSD P^AblT SERUICES TEL:501-570-4027 Mar 03,95 13:00 No .003 P.02 LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT PLANT SERVICES 3601 SOUTH BRYANT STREET LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS (501) 570-4020 72204 TO: FROM: lol . Russell Mayo, Associate Superintendent 5Jgl^s C. Eaton, Director, Plant Services SUB J: SATE: Support Data I Pair Park & Badgett Elementary Schools March 3, 1995 meeting, please find enclosed the consideration that we used in primary areas of determining the renovation and IBS:! for Pair Park and Vadgett llementaV? support of our school closing initiatives. Schools in Upgrades, as defined for the context of this study, is orimarilv an evaluation based on what this Direetoraf a to :SiS:7?s":cUS nire^tVrktnZeVs t^ie rch"oi:S pyogj^am. Most of the upgrades deal with space expansions and administrative and media center areas trailer technology. Renovation is a J^mpUatlon of center areas. Renovation is maintenance and repair and new work items necessa^T to bring the consists, primaril^ .of roofing groSSS^kp^ovem^nt
"^^'""""' conservation, asbestos, and aadq^tt Flgpientarv school Upgrade Pro-iectsi 1. Expansion of administrative area $65,000 2. ,3. Expansion of the media center Additional classrooms $85,000 $75,000 TOTAL $215,000 Elgmentarv School Renovation Proients
1. General grounds work $35,000 2. 3 . Waterproofing Window replacement and in-fill $35,000 $60,000 4 . New classroom lighting $85,000LRSD PLANT SERVICES TEL : 501-570-4027 Mar 03,95 13:02 No .003 P.03 5, Central HVAC 200,000 6. Playground enhancements $15,000 7 . Interior/Exterior painting $23,000 8 . Air conditioner replacement $40,000 9. Asbestos removal $244,000 TOTAL $737,000 FftlX Park Elementary School Upgrade Projects
1. Fire alarm system $25,000 2. Classroom expansions/replaceraents $200,000 3, Grounds enhancements $$5,000 4. Administrative expansion $70,000 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. TOTAL $360,000 Park Elementary School Renovations
General work order backlog Roof replacement Boiler replacement Asbestos removal Grounds' enhancements Central HVAC TOTAL DCE/rlh/sd $20,000 $120,000 $85,000 $80,000 $15,000 $280,000 $600,000LRSD. PLANT SERyiCES TEL:501-570-4027 Mar 03,95 13:00 No .003 P.Ol LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL PLANT SERVICES 3601 SOUTH BRYANT STREET LITTLE ROCK, AR 72204 FAX (501) 570-4027 DATE: TO: FROM: Dr.'Rna^ll i^aij .)c>ug SENDER'S PHONE #! 5T0-40>Q SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Number of Pages (including this cover page) S Fax Phone Number V/) - 01 So --- i J JUN- 8-95 THU 16:11 SUSAN W WRIGHT FAX NO. 5013246576 P. 01 June 5.1995 Hon. Susan Webber Wright U.S. District Judge SOO VJest Capitol Little Kock. AR 72205 OS Dear Judge Wright, On Thursday night June 1st, while Fair Park Schools PT A was awarding cert if Icates to parents and other VIPS for volunteer work In our school, the Little Rock School &oard met and discussed closing Badgett and Fair Park again. In February, the parents, the teachers, and the constituents AKA as cltlzens/tax p&nereNotere these two school communities made It very plain to the members of the school board and the superintendent that budget cuts should not Include these small schools. The vote was taken and the parents, the teachers and the constituents AKA as citizens/ tax payers/ voters of these two communities remember very vividly what that vote was: Ms. Linda Poindexter. Mrs. Judy Magness Mrs. Pat Gee Mr. Revin OMally Dr. Katherine Mitchell Mr. John Riggs W "Yes" "No" "Yes" 'Yes" "No" The motion was dead as a result of that vote...and we rushed back to tell the children their schools would not be closed next year. Newsweek magazine. May 29,1995, featured "WHAT WORKS, an article showing grass-roots solutions to Americas problems. One section. Jk 'Set High Standards," says just what parents, teachers and even the kids Kava been saying over and aver to board members and administrators:JUN- 8-95 THU 16:11 SUSAN W WRIGHT FAX NO. 5013246576 P. 02 Th* b*s^ way to impfomont d(p*ct*tions fs to I*t pHncip*fs Mid run thdr Mvn ochools minimal Interference from the central office. And the best way to keep that sens* of community is to keep schools smsn." "difuill schools work bocau** they allow mor* ucc*** for parent*, stay maniigeaM* and thus s*f*r-nd most cruokil'-lot t**ohrs kn^ thoir students ov*r tim*" "Thtf inoet ImportuHt: yjirUikId in student nchiayenwit Is th* iz* of th* school," Fair Park and &ad^ett are small schools, they are safe schools and they are working.. Let the students have this stability. The boards vote to close. If Implemented, will wipe out many years of community work and dedication at these sites. Flease consider all our children and their schools across the city as the school board seeks budget cuts. Withjust four votes, they can eliminate entire school or^nizatlons. Which schools will they eliminate next? Sincerely, Fair Park Elementary School Faculty ^OtX Office of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown, Federal Monitor 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)376-6200 Fax (501) 371-0100 June 13, 1995 Opal Rice 5013 Stonewall Little Rock, AR 72207 Dear Opal: I am responding to the Fair Park Facultys letter on behalf of Judge Susan Webber Wright. Although she is sensitive to the concerns that community members have about the schools and desegregation, as a matter of policy. Judge Wright does not correspond directly with citizens. Instead she relies upon us in her Office of Desegregation Monitoring to discuss school matters with individuals and organizations. Since school had dismissed by the time we received your letter, I am mailing this response to your home. I was present at the school board budget session when the discussion of possible school closings came up once again. As Im sure you read in the newspaper account, the suggestion to revisit the school closing decision did not meet with unanimous acceptance. At this time, no action related to either Badgett or Fair Park is on the agenda for the June meeting of the Board. If the Board of Directors did decide to close Fair Park or Badgett, the district would have to present their justification in federal district court. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has said that a lack of funds alone is not sufficient justification for decision-making. While it is certainly not impossible for the district to close schools, any such decision will be carefully reviewed by the court. Judge Wright has repeatedly admonished the Little Rock School District to remember their promises and commitments to the patrons. Thank you for taking time to share your views with Judge Wright. Please feel free to call me if you have additional questions or concerns. Sincerely, Melissa Guldin Associate MonitorOffice of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown, Federal Monitor 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501) 376-6200 Fax (501) 371 -0100 June 13, 1995 Opal Rice 5013 Stonewall Little Rock, AR 72207 Dear Opal: I am responding to the Fair Park Facultys letter on behalf of Judge Susan Webber Wright. Although she is sensitive to the concerns that community members have about the schools and desegregation, as a matter of policy. Judge Wright does not correspond directly with citizens. Instead she relies upon us in her Office of Desegregation Monitoring to discuss school matters with individuals and organizations. Since school had dismissed by the time we received your letter, I am mailing this response to your home. I was present at the school board budget session when the discussion of possible school closings came up once again. As Im sure you read in the newspaper account, the suggestion to revisit the school closing decision did not meet with unanimous acceptance. At this time, no action related to either Badgett or Fair Park is on the agenda for the June meeting of the Board. If the Board of Directors did decide to close Fair Park or Badgett, the district would have to present their justification in federal district court. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has said that a lack of funds alone is not sufficient justification for decision-making. While it is certainly not impossible for the district to close schools, any such decision will be carefully reviewed by the court. Judge Wright has repeatedly admonished the Little Rock School District to remember their promises and commitments to the patrons. Thank you for taking time to share your views with Judge Wright. Please feel free to call me if you have additional questions or concerns. Sincerely, Melissa Guldin Associate Monitor'Z'I-IS' FROM THE OFFICE OF STUDENT ASSIGNMENT BADGETT AND FAIR PARK INFORMATION On June 22, 1995, the LRSD School Board voted to close both Badgett and Fair Park Schools. Pending court approval, Badgett students, including 4 year olds, will be reassigned to Washington unless they elect other choices. Fair Park students residing north of 1-630 will be reassigned to Brady. Most of Fair Park students living south of 1-630 will be reassigned to Franklin. A portion of students living south of 1-630 will be reassigned to McDermott. Four year old students currently assigned to Fair Park will be reassigned to Bale. Student Assignment Office personnel will conduct a meeting at each school before July 20 to explain other choices students and patrons may make. Letters explaining reassignment and the date of each school meeting will be mailed no later than July 10 if the court has approved the closings. Students assigned to Badgett and Fair Park that do not reside in the attendance zone of Badgett and Fair Park will be reassigned to their attendance zone school.(lap. NOV -2 1995 'J LD Otfice oi Ds5S3rC,ajO:i wi<3r,.icrhii IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS WESTERN DIVISION '^^GTc.Rn CJ3' 'iC'AKKy^.'-i'SAS 2 4 1995 LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT, Plaintiff, vs. PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL., Defendants. * * * * * * * * k * * * No. LR-C-82-866 Sy:_ Vf^^'UHrwACK, CiEnK CLShk J^-McS IV. I, i ! ORDER Before the Court is the motion of the Little Rock School District ("LRSD) for modification of desegregation plan, filed on June 30, 1995. At that time, the LRSD was seeking the Court's permission to close Fair Park Elementary School and Badgett Elementary School beginning the 1995-96 school year. The motion is now moot, the LRSD having withdrawn the request. Also before the Court is the motion of the Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) for approval of new school sites, filed on July 21, 1995. The PCSSD was seeking the Court's permission to build a new Daisy Bates Elementary School and a new junior high school at Crystal Hill. This new construction, as well as the purchase of computers for use by fifth and sixth grade students in the PCSSD, was to be financed from a millage increase the PCSSD intended to ask the voters to approve. Because the PCSSD determined not to ask for a millage increase, the motion for new construction is moot. 2 5 6 6Because these motions (docket entry # the Clerk is directed to 2432 & # 2443) are moot, remove them from the pending motions report. SO ORDERED this day of November 1995. ^iTED States otsTRiM
IiT JUDGE n-ns DOCUMENT ENTERED ON DOCKET SHEET IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 56 AND/OR 79(a) FRCP ON lANCE 2 BY_i 2r i'L 53 'i
c-! 'C I IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS WESTERN DIVISION i,: r: LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT PLAINTIFF OS
- Ci
-- VS. No. LR-C-82-866 PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1, ET AL. DEFENDANTS MRS. LORENE JOSHUA, ET AL. INTERVENORS KATHERINE KNIGHT, ET AL. INTERVENORS JOSHUA INTERVENORS' OPPOSITION TO LRSD'S MOTION FOR MODIFICATION OF DESEGREGATION PLAN AND JOSHUA INTERVENORS' MOTION TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR REQUEST FOR THE LRSD TO SHOW CAUSE WHY IT SHOULD NOT BE HELD IN CONTEMPT OF COURT The Joshua Intervenors supplement their inital objections to the proposed 95-96 budget of the Little Rock School District with respect to the closing of Fair Park and Badgett Elementary schools and further reguest that the Court reguire the District to show cause why it should not be held in contempt of court for its June 30, 1995 request herein for modification of the desegregation plan. For its supplemental motion, Joshua states as follows: 1. The motion as made by the District is not in compliance with the Court's order of February 8, 1995. Parent involvement was minuscule. The District failed to "solicit and sustain community involvement". See Court's order p. 6. 2. The motion as made by the District is not in compliance with the directives of the Court with respect to involving the Joshua Intervenors in the process. Joshua was not involved inthe process. 3. The motion as made by the District is not in compliance with "milestones'* of its general implementation schedule. 4. Student assignments have already been made without court review and approval. 5. The implementation activity stands to disrupt student assignments at other schools. 6. The plan forces mandatory attendance zones upon the pupils of the closed schools contrary to the desegregation plan, and it treats them differently from other students who had choices of schools, interdistrict. Incentive and magnet. Wherefore, the Joshua Intervenors move the court to disallow the proposed budget changes which would close Fair Park and Badgett Elementary schools, to require LRSD to show cause why its actions are not contemptuous, and for special enhanced counsel fees for Joshua's counsel for this action. Respectfully submitted. John W. Walker, P.A. 1723 Broadway Little Rock, AR (501) 374-3758 72206 By: CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I do hereby state that a copy of the foregoing was hand delivered to all counsel of record on this 6th day of July, 1995. Jimmie Lou Fisher Treasurer of Sfate State of Arkansas Office of the State Treasurer Telephone: (501) 682-5888 RECESV^n Fox: (501) 682-3820 S. Jill I 0 1995 Ofiics of Desegregation Monitoring The Honorable Susan Webber Wright 600 West Capitol, Room 302 Little Rock, AR 72201 June 27,1995 '-'DDgp- Re: Fair Park and Badgett Elementary Schools Dear Judge Wright: Please accept this letter as a request to give serious consideration to vetoing the Little Rock School Board's recent decision to close Fair Park Elementary School and Badgett Elementary School. My niece attended kindergarten at Fair Park Elementary School during the 1994-95 school year. Her parents, like many others, had several educational options available to them but chose to support neighborhood public schools. I was pleased with their decision and our familys experience was a positive one. As an elected constitutional officer, I am fully aware of the monumental task of balancing constituents needs with fiscal responsibility. Although I have not had the opportunity to fully study the complexities of this issue, I believe closing these schools should be considered only after all other options have been exhausted. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. Sincerely, 11 lie Lou Fisher I Treasurer of State 220 state Capitol Building Little Rock, AR 72201 JIMMIE LOU FISHER TREASURER OF STATE 220 State Capitol LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201 P>M i I r\ V 27 JU I? , I OF 4 eq:- HoiiAirii- The Honorable Susan Webber Wright 600 West Capitol, Room 302 Little Rock, AR 72201 llu.lul,l.,l.lll...........IIIhI.I6-27-95 5L!SAN 'A. jUN 23 1995 Judge Susan Webber Wright 600 W Capitol Room 302 Little Rock, Ark 72201 OlSiGQ Of 0 199S u. S. DISTRICT JUDGE ^^^9regsiio ^oniiorin^ Dear Judge Wright: Since you have heard Fair Park Elementary School is up to be closed for 1995-96 School year. I am a concerned parent of Adrienne Abraham, she entered Fair Park School 19.94-1995 School year. done well at Fair Park. Adrieene has Ms. Lewis really works well withthe children, in a Quiz Bowl held for Kindergarten pupils. Mrs. Lee Lewis, was her Kindergarten teacher. Adrienne won a trophy This was the first time a Quiz Bowl was held for Kindergarten students and I was honored that Adrienne got a chance to participate. Adrienne received 1st place in the Quiz Bowl and a letter from the gifted and Talented teacher thanking us for working with Adrienne. Dr. Samuel Branch is a good Principal and Ms. Baker is a good Secretary at the school. Fair Park teachers are always having good learning material sent home to help the students advance themselves. work close with the children. The teachers really she helped Adrienne a lot. I was really pleased with Ms.Lewis, Adrienne attended to 5 yrs. old. at the age of 2 how to tell between animals. Headstart helped Adrienne a lot too. Headstart from 3 yrs. I taught her her shapes, colors and tell the difference My son Edward Jr. is 4 and just graduated from Headstart and I had enrolled him at Fair Park for Kindergarten and now they are closing the school. We had gotten the assignment that he had been accepted. I hope that we can still get a chance to send our children back to Fair Park School. I really like the location, the security it has for the children. Dr. Branch would greet the children on the parking lot each morning and if he didn't another man would (teacher), just hope something can be done to save the school. I Sincerely, Mrs. Queen Abraham Parent of Adrienne A. Abraham former student of Fair Park Mrs. Queen Abraham 5816 West 14th Street Little Rock, Ark 72204 r .rM '7 .. usaG PorUS.<Wa<Jy Judge Susan Webber Wright 600 W Capitol Room 302 Little Rock, Ark 72201 72201-3323 01 .....

,ll.l.l.>ll>llt<>llHll<HllRECE'V ID i JUL 1 W5 Office of Desegregi^OT Moniiorinj,! June 27,1995 District Judge Susan Webber Wright Federal Building 600 W. Capitol Little Rock, AR 72201 Dear Judge Wright The ruling of the Little Rock School Board to close Fair Park Elementary School has not only upset me as a teacher in that school, but I feel that the parents of the children have been lead down a path lined with hidden meanings. Our parents have only had one school meeting to voice their concerns and wishes for their children. It was my understanding that the court desegregation plan was to involve the parents at every step of the decision making. Please allow our parents and faculty to continue as one family. We are making such progress with all our children. With the addition of the 4yr. old classes, we have had parents select our school because of this class offering, and the schools central 1ocation. Now these new parents are told the school that they have chosen is closing and they will be sent somewhere else. Maybe to a school that is too far for the parents to provide transportation. Before even entering the Little Rock School System the parents are already met with a change. This is not a good way to build faith and unity with our new parents. I know you have always put the children first. Please do not let the district use the children as a guick fix for their problems. Sincerely Mrs. Valerie Kodell PreK Teacher, Fair Park3 / P-O. 8ox Or. UX21 b /(j ($~q/ '"tier C/ ' 7 ': '> J Z-aj') , 1 I cc'fcmf !^(/ Ccypr/^r -^.--) O I 14514 Woodlawn Little Rock, AR 72205 June 25,1905 Honorable Susan Webber Wright U. S. District Judge &00 VJest Capitol Little Rock. AR 72205 RECEIVED JUL 10 1995 ^557? OF JUW 28 J9g^ Dear Judge Wright: Office of Desegregation Monitoring s. Q'Strjct- 1 am a first grade teacher at Fair Park Elementary. 1 could not attend the court session today because of work responsibilities, but 1 have a story for you about the specialness of our school and our principal. As a first grade teacher I keep an eye on the kiddles in the up-coming classes. Last year one of these kindergartners passed me in the hall, running so fast that I saw only flying sneakers as they bounded through the door, out the building, and into the street. His flights became a habit. The principal sent him to a special school where he could receive intensive counseling. When school started in August, the fly-away kid was back and appeared on my class roll. Timothy had not changed. He rackd thrdughthe halls into the street. He circled the classroom, eyeing, hitting, pushing, kicking. He walked on desk tops. He frightened my students. He trashed the room. Sometimes without warning, he was goneinto the hall, out of the building. Our new principal. Dr. Samuel Branch, set up procedures and began working with him. He enlisted help: nurse, counselor, aides, custodians and finally his mother
she came to school with him, every day, all day. He continued in therapy. v> Teachers in the north wing, Timothys hall/runway, worked with him. He had to walk the entire length of that long hall after lunch recess to get to our classroom...and eventually he did walk. He stayed in the classroom without his mother at his side, though she was still in the school. He was able to talk about, admit to, and change poor behavior. Sy the end of school, this cooperative effort produced a calmer student who was reading and writing. He was working well in his math class. He took a healthy pride his academic achievement. On the Standford & standardized test, he did well, but scored high above average in decoding words. As he reads his way through the second and third grades with that exceptional decoding ability, his comprehension skills should reach the higher levels. With continued nurturing, this child , a black male, has a future... 1 dare believe, a great future. This is the strength of our faculty. We work together. Many of us have been here a long while
there is little teacher turn-over at Fair Park. We respect each other
we help each other. This is particularly important since about 70% of our students come from low income homes where their opportunities have been limited. Though Timothys need was is greater, we have other children from the inner-city who need a special touch. Our smallness works for us, not against us, as we reach for de-seg goals. As principal. Dr. Branchs first priority is the child. His leadership provided opportunities for my student to claim his potential in the first grade. Because Timothy lives north of 630, the district plan would place him next year in another area school, with no special services, but with twice the enrollment. Will he have the environment he needs to continue to flourish? The Fair Fark family is a good educational team. Please let us exist. Sincerely, Anne Riley FIRST GRADE TEACHERANNE RILEY 4314 WOODLAWN LITTLE ROCK, AR 72205 t i , E -USA-G --S- FoiU&oUfcaaonlr HON. SUSAN WEBBER WRIGHT U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE 600 WEST CAPITOL LITTLE ROCK, AR 72205 Hill ll.uluhluUlluul.lulHlIe RECEsVED c ? CHAMSERS CS=' SUSA>^ JUN W'yCHT 1 1995 .'III 1 0 1995 Office of Desegregation Monitoring * U. S. DISTRCT JUDGE ? iLfiJeZz^ 2^ ,?Z2z)L ,. Cf^C/a, f-IL{ i 4 -yj L,/'
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. y/iu Xt: ij^/5vUpJp^ J --I_^/ W iua.tUCa4tM*u- ^aa^5V-l) i I R D I K.95 RS RECEIVED Office of Desegregation Monitoring CHA?- =? SA'' JERS-c,.,., .SiEP 'VRl---' JUN 30 '995 Jill to 1995 j. s. nu- , n June 23, 1995 Office of Desegregation Uunnormg district JUDCc I am writing on behalf of my son, Christopher Stron i> > in reg ard to the Fairpark School closing. We are a Caucasian, middle class family with both parents working. Speaking on behalf of myself, I will do whatever it takes to send my son to private school rather than sending him off to wherever! When the rumors started about the cidsing I worked in the back ground calling and writing the Governor, the Superintendant, Vice Superintendant, and School Board members. When I phoned the Superintendant's office to ask about the status of the closings, A woman working under the Superintendant informed me that they handle the majority of situations, and if they could not, lie would. I explained that this was the worst time to threaten a school closing being that it was- registration for private schools and the majority of Caucasian families, like us, would probably pre-register their children for private schooling. She replied that this was probably their purpose of submitting the proposal at that time. We are the last of a dying breed of Caucasian's in LK Public Schools. There aren't probably even 20% Caucasian pupils in Fairpark, but I know for sure after the attitude of LR School District in any number of circumstances, my child will be in Private school. 3o I would assume the purpose of LR School District is to remove the existing Caucasian pupils out of the Public Schools. When you ask someone a question as to "What is the status of the Fairpark closingi' and the reply is that more than likely itwill close, is aggrevating. And the only reason for its closin 2 is to cut the budget. Our school is in a wonderful neighborhood. These children come into our commumity with absolutely no fears of the outside world, which the majority fear in their own neighborhoods! They can learn and play without thinkin o about o angs and drive-by-shootings, and personally I don't have to worry about my son's well being while he is there. This enables me to perform better at my j ob. My son is two blocks away from my home, if need be, I can be there in a minute. He is an asthmatic and time is everything! Whenever there have been any questions about anything they have always kept me on top of it. I'm a mother who wants to know my child is okay mentally as well as physically and he knows that if he needs us, we're only a phone call away! So please, take into consideration our children and their parents and keep ''Our School Open. Thank You, / Cathy Strong 613 N. Pierce Little Hock, AR 72205 ()I3 W-Pierce /je.nrkS. . E='h^- / } is ) '
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^ U3w*2j^ 7226 ( f I I I I I I I IRECEIVED Jill 10 1995 igr@gation Monitorii^ Otfics Of Oessgragation M( 3 0 1995 ^->1' Q.CC9. ) ^17U> f // 1 -7 7'n ' 9, 1 I // 0^. y/L L . ft/, A 7. . _________ < m--^i I I I 1 I I I I I C ?' i ' I I t I I u I ^'TcTr V ---------- \/3S5 I ! j. OIJGlory X\xSlbH-(> Colk'ctmy ^ N^t(Oh&l St&tic . d'vuaunly qJ- 1REC Si MIL JO 1995 QIS' ^UH 0 'gai: EZCjE-m. cd '1 , ^4(Cbi Cl (O11 laLu-^I l. cn t- eVt C r, f /I -h^ b Ua r > Hr. Os? A L, 0 L \z( r. . dtctu dL hod Q du^r^cdim dl. .zrvL..4^iAjZ?L d< bOctV CXjorVynp. SjV CXju^J ^.Ca UO 4v "tC , td SrLC5uJ-d (Xv^d SJcg_ IO r 4-C/ynp. CLcjz-xAXiaJ SAj ibuL^Aru^ -CS rvcCLb'de ijr Xc t-C yxx^ rdo^ -tkCt. tAjuc- Gd- pooCL. SV Idbe^i +vJci E SrtZ^ pcvJO v^AUbixi-d (JL Ct-A^A "''^^cxjrid '-pcx'tbb e4\^&nKje k\<iuJr LUi- kj2J43''tV^ SZLmI f tr^ 'ICTTYA R- ip C^WcLc ^lQ- dUudU/vJ" i34tAA-fi_ CjL CCrr\ \/ (sSaAXvU ^1 <O_ ' H uCuJ^ aX^vul^ n\jJUC>K^ td tzUC>UJV^ "X VO^^^viici HE^ pX-CbO d^rAJD -J b (q^zT^ ^^Ovc'^uAuc 3 <3.3 ij^aJj 7^^C)</ / i J "saSSJ^, C::^ 600 LjO. >a,rece^veb,^ .111 1 0 1995 JLifJ Ci 0 J99!:, Monli^l Jt lUGE ^bddy AbbcL Azoid . dbud ^0/9^ Mta^sd ''^0 J ! J t J d/ L . /I I ."] / /1a/ Al JlA d-d/dSil dJiLd. ddaM .LdiLtMjb ib dlUv TgA ddbioA '^9LGJJJ i/lbb^ ______ /xd AtCb d799M d AcbU ^bj7d 4ajo^AA A .do .d^VLidC Mzbibd^ db _ dMcy pod-b-d/PU \ dl<do j&) ^adC cdc/.<j^ / CM6/ldjLigtd, -6hj^ jbdjoo, ibb dlbud JjOMdl diet Jto^ '7 GjjxjJ - A'^d TAdu/ywndu)ib : diA AnaJd /b>oz -i)wi^ LQ) Jdad)^5 ddJio&J ^WM' (^JidcLuiyd^ ihdd Vujio! dkd -90 'OZIA-^ i 1^blddd(jfifu^^ ddiv3- y^/vud^ (DuAjLL/id \ . / l<) /I/O (j ,da(A/(/.JIB 1 0 1995 - - wr/ght Office of Desegregation Monitoring M. JOOGc June 27,1995 The Honorable Susan Webber Wright 600 West Capitol, Room 302 Little Rock, AR 72201 Re: Fair Park and Badgett Elementary Schools Dear Judge Wright: Please accept this letter as a request to give serious consideration to vetoing the Little Rock School Board's recent decision to close Fair Park Elementary School and Badgett Elementary School. During the spring of 1994 our family was recruited by the Little Rock School District and Superintendent Williams to enroll our daughter in the public school system. During this time we were also highly recruited by the staff and parents of Fair Park Elementary. After careful consideration, we decided to enroll our daughter in Fair Park Elementary. Throughout the 1994-95 school year, our experiences with Dr. Samuel Branch (the principal), Mrs. Lee Lewis (our daughter's teacher) and the entire school staff were only positive reinforcement of our decision to place our child in her neighborhood school. She excelled in her first year of school
in fact, she was one of the seven winners of e Kindergarten Quiz Bowl. You can imagine our dismay when we learned that the School Board had voted to close our school on Thursday, June 22, 1995. We must admit we do not understand the complexities of operating a school district. However, as a family, we do understand a budget and "living within our means". The School District contends that it must eliminate a ten million dollar ($10,000,000.00) deficit and that closing Fair Park and Badgett Elementary Schools will save two million dollars ($2,000,000.00). It is tmclear whether this savings is "gross" or "net", assuming it will cost the surviving schools additional money to accommodate the increase in students. It is also unclear what additional cuts will be made to eliminate the eight million dollar ($8,000,000.00) balance. As a family we have found that we can balance our budget and live within our means without eliminating necessities, or some luxuries, if we will be disciplined in our spending and work toward defined, realistic financial goals. It seems that these principles would work equally well for the School District. The equitable solution is for each school to absorb that portion of the deficit equal to its' percentage of the overall operating expenses of the district.The Honorable Susan Webber Wright June 27, 1995 Page 2 The Little Rock School District caimot expect parents to continue to support the district if it cannot provide a stable learning environment for the students. The Little Rock School District cannot expect taxpayers to continue to support the district if it cannot balance its budget and responsibly manage the resources already available to it. The Little Rock School District can expect voters to reject a school board and administration who are not up to the task of providing a stable learning environment on a balanced budget. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. Sincerely, Rhys G. and Debbie Lynn Rogers 7404 M Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72207Mr. and Mrs. Rhys G. Rogers 7404 M Street Little Rock, AR 72207 I The Honorable Susan Webber Wright 600 West Capitol, Room 302 Little Rock, AR 72201 JIIhI.I June 27, 1995 SUSAi CHAN-igEHS J!-' V JUN 30 199 Michael Sewell 905 N. Taylor Little Rock, AR 72205 Susan Webber Wright 600 West Capitol Room #302 D Little Rock, AR 72201 ,1111 1 0 1995 Dear Ms. Wright Oftice of Desegregation Monitoring I am writing to in regard to-the potential closing of Fair Park and Badgett Elementary schools. I am a single parent of a child attending Fair Park and the PTA President for the school year just ending. Of course I am corresponding with you because I do not wish to see Fair Park closed. The school board has given the parents of these two schools the false sense of security that they would be spared at least another year. Doing this by voting against the proposal at least twice during the school year. I feel that it was, to say the least, underhanded that they chose to meet and vote again on this issue after school was dismissed for the summer (less opposition). It is my opinion that our schools were the least likely to cause major repercussions than closing a school with more influential parents. The reasons given to the parents for the proposed closing were basically two reasons: a) Costs to maintain the facility (repair/replace roof and air conditioning) b) Below capacity attendance and low in-zone attendance. As for the two reasons above I respond with these facts / comments: Under the new proposal the Fair Park building will still be utilized for teacher training. that the repairs would still have to be made. This would seem to me Regarding Fair Park being below capacity, this is true
but, that is a Selling point for me. I am in the process of trying to acquire information regarding enrollment, at all Little Rock schools and the individual facilities date of construction.Again, I contend that these two schools are targets for cost savings due to the fact they are less volatile in respect to attendees. The below in-zone attendance is in part due to the fact our school is located only a few blocks from a private school. If we were to look into it, I'll bet that the public school attendance in the Pleasant Valley area surely shows similar data due to the private schools in that area. It is very disappointing to me to see our schools closing! The main problem causing the financial woes of the Little Rock School District are plain to see. Declining attendance is the number one cause. fears of big city violence! Why?? Parents the problem is racially motivated. Yes, it's true to that some of Parents are being forced to send their children to schools across town, even though there are schools possibly across the street from their homes, what to do. People do not like to be told The violence found here in our city is frightening, however, it is something that the people of the community will have to face up to. create the gangs. It's our problem. The education system did not In fact I give them credit for trying to make the schools safer through the hiring of security guards. Unfortunately, most of the problem centers around the home. There is a school approximately six blocks from our home
but, my daughter will not be allowed to attend this school even though there are students that are considered not to be in-zone attendants going to this school. (Again, not fair.) I do not want to appear so negative, but I am. There are good things that have come from our small schools. A better education. Big is not necessarily better. If our educational test scores were compared with other schools, I think they would prove it. (I'm checking) Fair Park, in case you didn't know, is composed of a seventy- five percent black student body. I am white and this is not a problem for me. Most of the children come from lower to middle class families. white neighborhood, school than others. Our school is located in a mostly This is a more racially integrated I have been told by various members of the faculty that Fair Park has been used as a dumping ground for undesirable children (learning problems) from other schools. Theseteachers have done an outstanding job and I am proud to be a part of the school. If Fair Park is closed, I and my daughter are going to move out of the Little Rock School District. fact. I do not want to do this. This is a simple My daughter is an honor student and enjoys where she is at
but, if it's not going to be there next year, neither are we. Please consider all factors carefully before making your decision to close these schools. Thank you for taking the time to listen. Sincerely, Michael Sewell 11 i j I RECEIVED JUL I 0 1995 n 3jg1^ (A&cr
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u Jio J^-ix sa.i/e^f) O ! I ZC-fT^f-Zx) --r- 'f/ - -------_ . ...jiQ I i)C^CL\dc- ZiXiX f -. end ad/xiu /'ZdJ-dbyZ- f I I ,. I,--. i : i I ^-r>..^ dOZ^ Cydl FTA /^Z/ RECB 1 Jill 10 1995 Office of Desegregation Monitoring ''^ Qc 'vfeit > dDor^ 3oX p)ck AF. UcttLT -^/oPOO 79301 .. 3 1995 '^^I^ISTRICTJUDG^ fhjA name fn^ 15 Hid ba S/<^ai3, Aq h (P'f\dl Oo^joF-c '^l,ZaFd-k CwvvL>n4-^ Obtio/^O {^(/uuc [FrF ((S^e/Q-fcL^ Fcouf Pa^rl< J-'^ /-S Soc/o<^e 'h oar hOu^S '/5 a sma/l ^d^ool c^/H ^oocf S^Carib(^> ^l/Zah^'k teezi h^ lO(2Aej^^6i/d /6aS' Abro^d^ro( Fs^ \/^wjl g^ctrs. 2^- /)Or hX\je^ o2 /^/rd a. (AF sdooJi (2coru<sL ^Q^/ OAT/C/ dcF s/} '' ' >0- Sho /s do(F^ l/dM (oao , (^rc<i^S(a.rd (dojos/^ caa>^ /s d-o (2^ Feu^ 2 / ' n. 'WC^ ijOtd^d rndriklj^'^'^t /Ww yJ- dd\i&i boa/id /Ty^^k-e
iJhu (?^i^i?y'Ci oe. CjciuJ^o^ ipQj-i-ffc/ wv Sl^(J3/U^, fkdlbA S4<i-rri5 ^SIQ^ fWfi-jl^^ Av<> i-^AR -)S-^i)^I ! Fair Park, Badgett at top of the list for possible closing BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazette Education Writer Fair Park and Badgett elementary schools may close permanently at the end of this year to help the Little Rock School District balance its 1995-96 budget. The district must make S8 million in cuts to balance its budget. Dr. Russ Mayo, rAAansasDemocrat (bazette FRIDAY, JANUARY 27,1995 associate superintendent for desegregation. said Thursday that a number of factors, including enrollment, were considered by administrators in identifying schools that could be See CLOSE, Page 9B | TZTose Continued from Page 1B shut down. District administrators will discuss the future of the two schools at two upcoming community meetings. The first meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Fair Park. 616 N. Harrison St. in the north-cen- trai part of the city. The second meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Badgett. 6900 Pecan Road, near Little Rock Regional Airport. -Adams Field. Badgett and Fair Park are among the smallest of the districts 35 elementary schools, with official student enrollments this year of 177 and 282. respectively. Besides enrollment, other factors considered included the physical conditions of buildings. the cost of potential re- Mayo said. taries are filled to capacity Closing the two schools could Closing Badgett also save the district up to $900,000 creates some reassignment challenges next year, Mayo said. .4 more ac- because the nearby schools are curate estimate will be avail- magnet schools, most of which able once final decisions are are filled by student application made about where students at and not based on attendance the schools would be reas- zones. signed. The savings would come - , -------------- All of our planning to this from reducing the number of point was based on a scientific principals in the district and the approach. Mayo said Thurs- building operating costs. The day. "From here on out. we will district also may be able to re- duce the number of teaching positions. 'All of our planning to this point was based on a be considering emotions. The final decision on whether to close the two schools will be made by the Little Rock School Board when board members decide this spring on a budget for next year. Mayo said parents SCienttjic approach. From and other community members will have time to make their here on out, we will be considering emotions. Dr. Russ Mayo feelings known to board members before decisions are made. He said he and other district staff members will be available ~
to answer questions about the Closing the schools could af- recommendations for closure. pairs and renovations, the feet more than just the families adaptability of buildings to support modern instructional programs, the number of children in a school's attendance zone, the schools racial composition and the ability of the district to successfully recruit children to the school. When alt the factors were combined. Fair Park and Badgett were at the top of the list, with children in Badgett was one of 14 schools the two transferred to the Little Rock schools, as attendance zone district from the Pulaski Coun- boundary lines for other ty Special School District in schools may have to be modi- . ------- 1986. as part of a federal court tied, Mayo said. Decisions on order that extended the bound- those possible changes havent aries of the Little Rock district been decided. to the city limits. One of the problems admin- The county district had a istrators face with closing Fair Badgett school for many years. Park is that nearby schools like The school was first named Forest Park, Jefferson, Pulaski Frasier Elementary in honor of Heights and Williams elemen- a former principal. In 1926 it was renamed Badgett for the township where it was. A new Badgett was built at its current site in 1964. The schools capacity is about 250 students, according to a February report from the federal Office of Desegregation Monitoring. This year. Badgetts enrollment is 75 percent black and 25 percent white, which is out of compliance with federal court guidelines calling for a 60- 40 racial ratio. About 64 percent of the Badgett students live in the Badgett attendance zone. Fair Park, which was opened in 1927 and has a capacity of about 350 students, also is out of compliance with the racial balance guidelines. The enrollment is about 72 percent black and 28 percent white this year. The school was expanded in 1951 and renovated and expanded again in 1980. About 57 percent of the Fair Park students actually live in the schools zone. The Little Rock district has closed other schools in recent years. Ish Elementary was closed in 1992-93. Stephens Elementary was closed this year but is to be rebuilt When the new. larger Stephens School is opened in 1996-97, the nearby Garland Elementary will be closed.Arkansas Democrat "^(azcttc WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1995 3B Parents plead for Badgett school LRs best-kept secret ( BY CYNTHIA HOWELL community members and stu- boundaries to the city limits. As ' a result. Little Rock got 14 dents was unconvinced. One by one. audience mem- county schools. If you dont want us. Ill bet the county will take us back. Badgett Elementary is the ----------- ------------------------------------ Little Rock School Districts bers described the community . best-kept secret and doesnt school as a place of safety and .--------------------... deserve to be closed, parents racial harmony, where their said Jodi Crowder, whose chil- ' and community members children are shown love and dren are the fourth generation pleading for the schools future concern by longtime Principal in her family to attend the i told district administrators Mary Golston and her staff. school. ...................................... "Tuesday. The parents are pleased The tiny school near Little with this school and feel it is Rock Regional Airport, Adams the districts best-kept secret, ' Field, is one of two elemen- Claude Johnson told district ad- , taries the district may shut ministrators. If other parents down next year in an effort to knew about this school, we trim $8 million in expenses. wouldnt have any trouble at- Dr. Russ Mayo, associate su- trading students here. perintendent for desegrega- Parents said that parents tion. said at a meeting on Bad- who tried to get their children getts future that closing the into Badgett were told by the school and Fair Park Elemen- districts student assignment Look at downsizing the administrative operation, anoth- er audience member said. Take it off the top. Dont take it from the children. Shiem Swift, a Dunbar Magnet Junior High student who attended Badgett, said the elementary schools teachers are willing to help students even to walk them home if necessary. Jerry Peters, director of the Little Rock branch of Webster University in St. Louis, accused the district of picking on Badgeit because its in a working-class neighborhood with little political clout. Breaking up a successful team of parents, staff, students and community would be a mistake. Peters said. Webster University is Badgetts business partner No final decision has been made about closing Badgett and Fair Park. That will be left to the seven school board members four of whom attended the meeting Tuesday later this spring when the 1995- 96 budget is prepared. No final decisions have been made about where Badgett children might attend school next year. Washington Magnet Elementary and Clinton - Magnet Elementary are possibilities. Mayo said. tary, located in north central office that they couldnt, even Little Rock, could save the if they lived in the schools at- school district about $1.1 mil- tendance zone. lion. Enrollment at the school We have too many schools was 279 tn 1988-89 but is down ,.for too many children, Mayo to 177 this year with only one 'said, adding that the cost of class per grade. renovating Badgett so that it The Little Rock district ac- could support modern educa- quired Badgett in 1986 from the .tional programs would be pro- Pulaski County Special School hibitive. District under an Sth U.S. Cir- . But the crowd of more than cuit Court of Appeals order ex- " grandparents, panding the Little Rock district 3 '100 parents,FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 24, 1995 CoovTiBht Lrttls Rock ifw Backers plead for Hillcrest school 8Y CYNTHIA HOWELL Oefnocrat-Gazette Education Writsf Advocates for Fair Park Elementary School pulled out all the stops in a campaign Thursday night to convince the Little Rock School Board that their Hillcrest neighborhood school shouldnt be shut down. Parents and a student offered testimonials about the scnools importance in their lives. Teacher Opal Rice spoke about staff unity and commitment. Wally Lovelace, a real estate agent, told the board that people ask to buy houses in the neighborhood so their children can attend the Fair Park. And neighbors talked about the hazards an empty building would pose and the school playgrounds conve-r nience as a neighborhood FAIR PARI^ QDISrr c n r-. Aransas OomocfaiXSazenafOavwj
park. geta 'sZA^fKn SPIRIT -H Fair Park Element School cheedeade-s An- ' ilarB opalerda sm efrmombe rps ahreenatrsd s^imd- LaSonySa cOhg^lei sBboyi u. - parents and neighbors of Badgett Elementary School, which may also be closed ne.xt year, and from advocates for the district's school nurses program. main open before the Uttle .ro
^ Sch^TBoarS'^m^Ung^n^^ rtg^ In all. more than 30 people came before the board Thursday night to defend programs rrojeciea cn^nT TI" 'losing the cut uo the district can--------- projected S9.1 million deficit from its 1995-96 budget. Projected cuts include erase a two schools. Cuts Continued from Page 10 sharply reducing the early childhood education programs, hiring a private company to run the school buses, eliminating grants to the area schools and cutting 19 nursing positions. Board members made no de- CKions during a lengthy meeting Thursday on the cuts. .Another budget work session is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday. Im here to represent the students' views about Fair Park. fourth-grader Deanna Jones told the school board. .-And we we say keep it open. Our school is not fancy and could use a little fixing up. but we like it just fine. Diane Nesbitt, a parent at the school, gave the board petitions, signed by 900 people, to keep the school open. She also presented the board with a large red cardboard hean. covered with photographs of Fair Park children. Dont break our heart! Nesbitt told the board. Parents from Badgett Elementary. located in extreme east Little Rock, described the school as a place of comfort, love and safety for generations of children. They said its a school where the principal greets children when they get off the buses and teachers come out of the building to talk to parents who drive up to the school at the end of the day. If its not broke, dont fix it Claude Johnson told the school board, speaking of Badgett. We dont need your help. We are asking you to back off and leave us alone. Were doing just fine. .Also making appeals Thursday were: Bus drivers who oppose hiring a private company to run the school buses. Advocates for the 19 school nurse positions. .A member of the advisory committee for the community education program at .McClellan Community High School. Kelly Tucker asked the board to consider some changes in the program but retain it. Bus driver and parent Michael Campbell told the board that inefficiency in the transportation department is at least partly the result of old. deteriorating buses. In regular business Thursday, the board stopped short of authorizing the formation of committees to research how close the district is to complying with desegregation standards set by the U.S. Supreme Court. See CUTS, Page 90 Superintendent Henry Williams suggested earlier this month paying seven committees of employees and citizens to do the research as a way to accelerate an end to the 12-year-old school desegregation lawsuit Board member John Riggs IV made a motion that e district ask U.S. Di,strict Judge Susan Webber Wright for a conference to determine whether the committee approach was an appropriate way to work the district out of the case. Wright decided earlier this week to call such a conference, .tiu Brown, desegregation monitor. said. Brown had told Riggs of the judges intentions Thursday. The board also: Gave conditional approval to establishing a city neighborhood alert center at Ish Elementary School. .Approved eliminating the learning foundations course at Pulaski Heights. Forest Heights. Southwest and Cloverdale junior highs.' Arkansas Democrat 7^ (gazette SUNDAY, MAY 7, 1995 CATwwiaht O I ll Q<v*b NMrtrMTWn I nr Fair Park kindergartners bowl quizzers, parents over BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazette Education Writer Dont try to sneak anything by the kindergarten pupils at Fair Park Elementary School Theyre small but smart. Just ask their teachers, who staged a quiz bowl Friday for 14 of their young charges. Two hours and 175 questions later seven of the 14 children still standing and had missed a single answer. were not It was amazing, said Nona Whittaker, a teacher of the gifted and talented at the school. We had parents and school board members here to watch, and some of the parents were crying. The seven winners were AdriAbraham, enne Aldridge. Brooke Jordan, Sharon Leakey, Evan Nesbitt, Mattie Rogers and Jessica Webb. The quiz bowl questions in mathematics, science, social studies and trivia were provided by the Little Rock School District s office of gifted and talented education. Do you know which state in the United States is an island? Or how about, which U.S. president freed the slaves? What organ of the body pumps blood? What is the difference between fiction and nonfiction? If you have five pieces of candy and give two away, how many are left? And can you name the individual Ninja Turtles? The Fair Park Seven didnt even break a sweat as they responded to those questions asked by Catherine Gill, the schools former principal, who was serving as moderator. My objective was to teach I the children how to compete J and how to accept winning and 1 losing, Whittaker said Friday : after the contest. The pupils prepared for the contest for Qumcy about six weeks. Whittaker worked with them 30 minutes week, and the children practiced at home with their parents and in their classrooms with two teachers, Rebecca Brown and Lee Lewis. a Whittaker learned a few lessons on her own as the result of the quiz bowl. Primarily, don't underestimate children. She did and had to go out Friday afternoon to get more trophies.Letters Arkansas Democrat $azcttCj MONDAY, JUNE "'2,1995 .--------------------uni.. Rock Inc- Keep Fair Park, Badgett schools I I On Thursday night, June 1, while Fair Park Schools PTA was awarding certificates to parents and other VIPS for volunteer work in our school, the Little Rock School Board met and discussed closing Badgett and Fair Park agcdn. In February, the parents, the teachers and the constituentsa.k.a. citizens, taxpayers and voters of these two school communitiesmade it very plain to the members of the school board and the superintendent that budget cuts should not include these small schools. The vote was taken and the parents, the teachers and the constituents remember very vividly what that vote was
Linda Pon- dexter, no
Judy Magness, yes
Pat Gee, no
Kevin OMalley, yes
Katherine Mitchell, yes
and John Riggs, no. The motion was dead as a result of that vote, and we rushed back to tell the children their schools would not be closed next year. Newsweek magazine for May 29 featured an article showing grass-roots solutions to Americas problems. One section says just what parents, teachers and even the kids have been saying over and over to board members and administrators: The best way to implement high expectations is to let principals and teachers run their own schools with minimal interference from the central office. And the best way to keep that sense of community is to keep schools small. Small schools work because they allow more access for parents, stay manageable and thus safer, andmost cruciallet teachers know their students over time. The most important variable in student achievement is the size of the school. Fair Park and Badgett are small schools, they are safe schools, and they are working. Let the students have this stability. The boards vote to close, if implement^, will wipe out many years of community work and dedication at these sites. Please consider all our children and their schools across the city as the school board seeks budget cuts. With just four votes, they can eliminate entire school organizations. Which schools will they eliminate next? J OPAL RICE Little RockArkansas Demixrat fSTtOazcltc WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1995 Transit, fate of schools top agenda BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democral-ORzette Education Writer After months of discussion, the future of two Little Rock elementary schools and the district's trniisporinlion department could be decided tonight by the Uttle Rock School Board at a special meeting at 5:30. The meeting's agenda says the proposed 1995-90 budget will be discussed. But board members said Tuesday they expect to vote on closing Badgett and Fair Park elementary schools and on hiring a private company to operate most of the school bus system. Those moves are designed to help the financially strapped district cut expenses for the coming school year. Both proposals have been defeated before. The board deadlocked 3-3 in April on a proposal to close Badgett, in extreme east Little Rock, and Fair Park, in central Little Rocks Hillcrest neighborhood. The schools are among the district's smallest, need renovations and are under-enrolled Badgett with 177 pupils. Fair Park with 282. Closing them could save $1.1 million next year, district officials have said. But staff and parents of children at the schools have begged the board not to close them, saying their smallness means more individual attention for pupils. Earlier, board President Linda Pondexter and members Pat Gee and John Riggs IV voted against closing the schools. Katherine Mitchell, T. Kevin OMalley and Judy Magness voted to close. Afier that, a seventh board member, Stephanie Johnson, was appointed to the board. Johnson has declined to say how she might vole. District administrators are expected to make a presentation tonight about school bus services that Laidlaw Transit Inc. could provide. Last year, the board rejected a proposal for privatizing the bus system but let district officials ask for bids from companies again this spring. District bus drivers oppose privatization and have proposed their own changes in the transportation system to cut costs. The Laidlaw proposal would save the district nearly $700,000 next year and $1.4 million over the three-year contract, according to school district officials summary of the contract provisions. Laidlaw, based in Ontario, Canada, and Cincinnati, Ohio, is the largest transit company in North America. It transports 1.8 million students a day in 40 stales provinces. and five CanadianSATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1996 LRSD board to mull fate of school LRSD Continued from Page 1B Instiuctioti Resource Center Fair Park Elementary on agenda for Monday BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazette Education Writer For the second time in as many years, the Little Rock School : Board will consider removing i Fair Park Elementary at 616 N. ! Harrison St, from the districts ranks of regular schools. ! Board member Judy Magness
said Friday she will propose : transferring Fair Park pupils to ! other schools next fall and using the building to house the Little Rock School Districts Instructional Resource Center. Fair Parks fate is expected to be discussed at a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday. The board also will consider other budgetcutting proposals and could vote on some of them. According to state law. any teachers and administrators who might be laid off or transferred because of budget cuts must be notified by May 1 of potential changes in their jobs. Converting Fair Park to the Instructional Resource Center could leave some children attending schools closer to home. Magness said. Money that would usually be spent at Fair Park could be disbursed to other schools, she added. And rather than being shut down and boarded up, the Fair Park building, in the Hillcrest neighborhood, would be used daily by Instructional Resource Center employees, who include the districts curriculum supervisors. The center now operates in rented space at Sixth and Ringo streets. The board voted earlier this month to move the center to the vacant Ish School at 3001 S, Pulaski St, and to relocate the Little Rock Adult Education Center from East Side School to the vacant Oakhurst School at 4800 W, 26th St. ! Some of the staff members at the Adult Education Center have objected to moving to Oakhurst because of the buildings deteriorating condition and poor access I to public transportation. Magness suggested that if the See LRSD, Fige 7B moves to Fair Park, the Adult Ed ucation Cenler could be put al Ish. At one point last summer the school board voted to close Fair Park and Badgett elementarie,s as a money-saving measure. But the board backed away from that move in a deal with civil rights attorney John Walker. conditioniiig systems. The consultants also found that the cafeteria, kitchen, library and office areas were small and inadequate. Other budget ending strategies to be considered by the board Monday include reorganizing the districts administrative stall, hiring a private company to operate buses for special education students, staggering school starting limes for more efficient use of buses and reducing junior high schools seven period class days to six class periods, which would Walker had threatened to pur sue a contempt of court motion against district olficials for violating their school desegregation plan in planning budget cuts. Fair Park is one of the district'.s smaller schools, with an en rollment of 270 this year. It was built in 1929. A facilities consultant last year ranked the school 33rd out of 35 elementary schools, citing its lack of handicapped accessibility and its need for new interior finishes and plumbing, heating and air reduce personnel costs. Other proposals include reducing administrators annual contracts by one month and eliminating a centrally located truancy center, where Little Rock police officers can deliver truants. The district is projected to generate S148 million in revenues next year, but expenses are projected at $151 million. The board must cut at least $3 million to balance the budget and more than that to give employees a raise.9 ?. 3 s- 5
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3 w p'S S p g-R " CTj? WO g o J" '> f/j tr S^s B.'S 3 5 3. g - I Arkansas l>nuKrat 'arnuclle TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1996 Saved again, Fair Park stays open Budget constraints ax 40 Ll< teachers BYCYNIHIAIK)WELL Uonioemt Unzollo EfiuenUon Willot ' Ijittle Hoek's Eair I^ark Elementary tSebou! seems to have almost as many lives as a eat. After a lengthy discussion and pleas from seliool supporters, the Little Hock School Board voted S,,og!5-'^ C- o ='^^gSP-K
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w s s.'* B S ft cn o 0-0 ft> 9 cr 3 S'- ft B' P o o- 3 Is gg o B the Hillcrest neighborhood next year, but warned parents and neigliborhood leaders to find ways to increase enrollment. In other business at a budget meeting Monday, the board approved about $1.6 million in cuts for next year to balance (lie districts $146 million budget, 'fhe cuts include
40 leaching positions at a savings of $1.1 million. $200,000 in unspecified administrative costs. $267,(MK) in student busing costs. A 20 percent or $25,0(K) cut -- in employee car allowances. Employees whose jobs will be eliminated or changed will be notified by certified mail by Wednesday, as reiptired by state law. The board voted against making some controversial cuts. Besides choosing not to close Fail- Park, the board voted against hiring a private company to operate its transportation system for handicapped studenis. At SupcMiiiteiulenl Henry Williams recommendation, the board also deeifhd against reducing the seven period class day in secondary schools Io six periods. Such a move would have saved mhney but refluced shident (tp- portunities to take elective courses. ' rhe board also voted against consolidating the administration of (he early childhood program and the Home Instruction Program for l^re-school Youngsters. Both programs serves preschoolers one at school, the other in the home. 'Hie board s vole on Ealr Parks future was the fourth in two years. Aller school district adminis- Iralors recommended closing the .school last summer, the board voUkI to keep it open, voted a few weeks later to close it and then reversed itself again in a deal with civil rigliLs lawyer John Walker, who was seeking a con- tempt-of court citation against the district in U.S. District Court. Board member.Indy Magnes.s proposed Monday that Fair Park pupils be reassigned to other schools, some of which would be closer to the children's homes. She said the building could be used to bouse the district's In- strudionnl Resnnice (Y'liter, made up of the districts curriculum supcuvisors. file ceuler is now in rented space but is slated to move to the vacant Ish School file father of a Fair Park child S00 ClfTS, Pag 8BArkansas Democrat (i^azette SATURDAY, MARCH 11,2000 I J Pupils father attacks teacher in classroom Teacher Debbie Cothran told officers that about 2:05 p.m. the father of a student hit her face with his fist. Cothran had a bruise on the right side of her face, police said. The man attacked Cothran and threatened her after getting into an argument with her about her treatment of his daughter, police A parent observing a classroom said. The attack was witnessed by Thursday at Fair Park Elementary, ' ___ 616 N. Harrison St., attacked a the schools principal and an en- teacher, a school employee told tire class of prekindergarten stu- Little Rock police. dents, police said.May 3. 2 0 0 1 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2001 Parents plead cases, but two schools stay in budget axs reach LR board hears of virtues of smallness, then adds Fair Park to possible closures BY CYNTHIA HOWELL ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Faced with the possible loss of their neighborhood schools next year to budget cuts, parents and others from the Badgett and David O, Dodd elementary school communities Thursday extolled the virtues of their small schools to the Little Rock School Board. Board members were sympathetic and made no final decisions. However, by the end of the meeting, the School Board not only directed Superintendent Kenneth James to continue planning for the possible closing of Badgett and Dodd as a way to save about $1.7 million, but also asked him to prepare a feasibility study on closing a third small school. Fair Park Elementary at 616 N. Harrison St, where about 200 pupils attend classes. The presidents of the parentteacher associations from both Dodd and Badgett presented the School Board with petitions Thursday pleading to keep then- schools. Were going to refuse to let Dodd close, Tiwana Noon- er, a parent of three Dodd pupils, said. Were going to fight. Dodd parents and community members pointed to the number of grants that the school has received in recent years to restructure the way reading and language arts are taught. Those The district is getting $2.4 - - - million less in state funding this grants and programs may not
year than initiaUy budgeted be- all be transferable to other cause of shortfaUs that were announced last month in state tax collections. That loss is expected to be carried forward into the next school year when the dis- schools, they said. Additionally, they argued that the specially trained staff members will be scattered across the district, diluting the effectiveness of their training. Diane Krippendorf, a community member, also pointed out that as many as 200 new homes are planned for the Dodd attendance zone, which should boost the schools enrollment over the next few years. District officials said the new homes might bring in 14 to 20 new children for the school in each of the next two years. James has said that the possible school closings are just one See SCHOOLS, Page 9B Schools Continued from Page 1B area for potential budget cuts, and that he and his staff are preparing recommendations for more reductions. In response to School Board members who said they cant decide on closing schools without knowing what their other options are, James said he will give them some proposals after the first of the year. James, who has been Little Rocks school superintendent for about six months, just last week raised the issue of closing one or more of the district's smallest schools next fall as a way to help offset escalating costs and a declining revenue forecast that is already affecting the districts $224 million budget. trict must meet contractually obligated teacher pay increases. According to preliminary - - - plans, Badgett pupils would be The School Board must make assigned to Rockefeller and a decision on the school closings Washington elementary schools, by Jan. 10 to be able to notify Charter school pupils, who at- affected parents of the changes tend the school by applying, before registration starts for the would return to the schools that 2002 school year. That regis- serve the attendance zones in i tration period when parents which they live throughout the can make a variety of school district. choices for their children begins Jan. 28. As for Dodd pupils, they would be divided among West- James repeatedly acknowl- ern Hills, Romine and Otter edged that the district is decid- Creek elementary schools if their ing the issue on a very fast time school is closed, line that is contrary to districts Two bands of small children policy that calls for school clos- set the tone for Thursdays meet- ings to be considered for at least ing, marching in two circles on 12 months, except in emergen- the administration buildings front steps, waving posters and James assured the board that chanting in support of their is entering dire financial straits, schools, as board members ar- You dont take the largest cut rived for the meeting. Dont in state aid in the history of the close Dodd school, yelled one state and think it is business as group. usual, he said. Please dont close Badgett Badgett and Dodd are targets school, the others said. for closing because of their small enrollments. Badgett, at 6900 Pecan Road near the citys airport, has 153 students in its regular program and another 80 enrolled in the districts charter program, which is housed in the same building. Dodd, 6423 Stagecoach Road, has 188 pupils, which is 69 percent of the buildings capacity. The average elementary school in the district has about 360 students. The district would save $536,048 by closing the regular Badgett school and another $479,669 by closing the charter program, plus $738,909 by closing Dodd. By closing the schools, the number of teaching positions in the district could be reduced by about 20. A similar number of support staff positions also could be reduced. District officials speculated, however, that most of the people in jobs at the affected schools could be absorbed into other schools as vacancies occur because of retirements and resignations. IGroup sounds cry to protect LR elementary Dodd, 2 other schools futures on line as district makes cuts MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2001 BY AMY SCHLESING ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Theres a battle brewing in the Little Rock School District over a proposed death sentence for one of the districts smallest and highest scoring elementary schools. The Little Rock School Board will decide Jan. 10 whether to close David O. Dodd, Fair Park and Badgett elementary schools to help balance an overdrawn budget. While parents of students at all three schools dont want to see the doors close on the neighborhood schools, one - e . u I X rr trict average and have been the group of parents, school staff redpients of several re- and rf-al pcfafp npvf InnArc hac . and real estate developers has launched an organized campaign to keep at least one of them open. Kathy Porfiris, organizer of the letter-writing campaign to save Dodd Elementary School, has rallied the parents, neighboring real estate developers and staff of the school to fight to keep it open. Little Rock School Board member Baker Kurrus said the issue isnt one of conflict its one of economics. "Theres not a fight to close Dodd, and there's not a fight to keep it open. Im not going to fight with anyone. Im going I to focus on giving our kids the best education possible, he said. Porfiris said her efforts are on behalf of all three schools proposed for closing, but said her heart stays with Dodd Elementary School, since it has been the education base for all four of her children. Her youngest, Jimmy, is a fourthgrader at the school. Dodd is at 69 percent capacity this year with 188 students studying in classrooms built to hold 271 students. Those students have literacy scores that exceed the discent grants, the largest of which is a $150,000 Comprehensive School Reform Development grant from the Arkansas Department of Education. Judith Yeager and Barbara Kennedy, administrators of the state grant program, wrote a letter to the School Board, praising the achievements of Dodd Elementary School. Dodd has an outstanding [kindergarten-fifth grade] literacy and technology program in place due to the restructuring made possible by the CSRD grant. We do not feel that it is a wise use of taxpayers money to See SCHOOL, Page 2B I School Continued from Page 1B spend $150,000 of federal and state funds to successfully restructure a school and then have the Little Rock School District Board decide it should be closed, Yeager and Kennedy said in the letter. When the School Board meets Jan. 10, however, the deciding factor will be money, not test scores. Superintendent Kenneth James said closing Dodd, Fair Park and Badgett elementary schools will help offset a $2.4 million cut in state funding the district had counted on for the coming year. Closing Dodd and Fair Park will each save the district $700,000 annually and Badgetts closing will save another $500,000, James said. The movement of charter students back to their neighborhood schools would save about $480,000, for a total projected savings of $2.4 million. Its always hard to close schools, James said. "People are very close to their schools and I understand that, but regardless of what happens here, its still my job to bring ideas to the board on how to make cuts and balance the budget. James warned that a larger cut j in state funding could happen after the new year if the economy remains on a path to recession. Couple that with salary obligations, and weve got to make a minimum $6 million cut to balance the budget, he warned. The schools are targets for closing because of their small enrollments and high per-student costs. Badgett, at 6900 Pecan Road near Little Rock National Airport, Adams Field, has 153 students in its regular program and another 80 enrolled in the districts charter program at the site. Dodd, at 6423 Stagecoach Road, has 188 students. Fair Park Elementary, off Kavanaugh Boulevard, has 200 students. Those displaced students will be distributed throughout the district. According to preliminary plans, Badgett students would move to Rockefeller and Washington elementary schools, with the schools charter students returning to the schools in their attendance zones. Dodd students would be divided among Western Hills, Romine and Otter Creek elementary schools. The district has not discussed a moving plan for Fair Park students. Porfiris organization will meet with the School Board Jan. 7 in a last-minute effort to influence their Jan. 10 vote. Tlie board plans to bring the principals from the other schools that would absorb the Dodd, Fair Park and Badgett students if the schools are closed. It almost sounds like they have their minds made up, she said. Id really like to think that we have a chance and not just blowing in the wind. Kurrus said he has gone to great length to inform people that school closure is no more than an option at this point. I dont think anybodys made up their minds. Weve got to do something, we cant just afford to ignore that we will lose revenue while our expenses continue to climb. But were considering different options, not just closing schools, he said. If the schools are closed, it will affect more than the students. Porfiris said new housing developments near Dodd Elementary will suffer with the loss of a neighborhood school. She has recruited Becky Finney, a real estate developer with Rainey Realty to fight the closure of Dodd. Pecan Ridge, Tall Timber and Kenwood subdivisions have expansions in progress. The School Board estimates those growing subdivisions would increase Dodd enrollment by up to 20 students next year and 15 students the following year. Kurrus said nothing is off limits for balancing the budget. The one thing he deems sacred are teacher salaries and raises. To have the best teachers, I feel that we have to reward them financially, he said. Kurrus said streamlining the districts administrative process, ending property tax breaks as corporate incentives and get the district out of court over desegregation are all good options for balancing the budget. Porfiris is banking on alternatives to save Dodd. And if it comes down to fire the caretaker, heck, well come up there and mow the grass ourselves, she said.J a n u a r y 3. 2 0 0 2 District sets sessions on closing 3 schools AKKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE The Little Rock School District will hold a series of public meetings, beginning today, at three low-enrollment schools under consideration for closing. The meetings are scheduled at: Badgett Elementary, 6900 Pecan Road, 6 p.m. today. J Dodd Element^, 6423 Stagecoach Road, 6 p.m. Monday. Fair Park Elementary School, 616 N. Harrison St., 6 p.m. Tuesday. The meetings-are open to the public. The district proposes closing schools beginning July 1 because of state budget cuts. The Little Rock School Board will consider the proposal during its regular meeting Jan. 10 at 5 P- p. at the School District headquarters at 810 W. Markham St.H Si 75 LR parents face closing of 3 schools pl hl T Arkansas Democrat-Gazetle/STEPHEN B. THORNTON Badgett Elementary School parent Jerry Peters (left) Zeigler (center left), Rockefeller Elementary Principal asks Little Rock School Superintendent Ken James a Anne Mangan, and Sadie Mitchell (right), the districts question Thursday night during a public hearing at associate superintendent for school services. Mangan Badgett to discuss the school's possible closing. Lis- and Zeigler attended because Bad^tt students tening are Washington Elementary Principal Gwen would attend their schools if Badgett cl^es. Badgett meeting held
2 more set BY PATRICK HEALY ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT (JAZFITE As solemn-faced parents, teachers and administrators discussed the fate of Badgett Elementary School with urgent voices, the children played. Arm in arm, they pranced across the schools packed gym, inspected TV cameramen and galloped through the banana-yellow hallways while adults discussed shutting down Badgett, in east Little Rock, and two other Little Rock elementary schools. Tlie Tliursday meeting was the first of three meetings scheduled before the School Board votes whether to close Badgett, Dodd and Fair Park elementary schools. Other meetings are scheduled at Dodd on Monday and at Fair See BADGETT,Vage 4B Badgett Continued from Page 1B Park on Tuesday. The meetings are designed to let school officials explain the shutdown proposal and hear community concerns. We're still in shock, and we .still dont want it to happen," said Kim Dunahay, Badgetts Parent Teacher Association president. Even if they vote to close the school, the fights not going to stop. The School Boards vote, rescheduled from Jan. 10 to Jan. 15, comes at a time of financial crisis, said Sadie Mitchell, the districts associate superintendent for school services. In addition to the $2.4 million state funding cut, the school dis-trict must pay $3 million in promised raises. Altogether, the school district must slice $6 million from its annual budget of $220 million. Superintendent Ken James Proposed AUendance Zones Fl J J Bl Arkansas Democrat-Gazetle/STEPHEN B. THORNTON students if the school is closed. The informational meeting Thursday night al the school was the first of three meetings to discuss potential school closings. said, Were going to have to junious Babbs, associate superintendent for deseg-make some tough decisions. regation for the Little Rock School District, discusses The board is considering clos- proposed attendance zones for Badgett Elementary ing Badgett, Fair Park and Dodd eleinentaries primarily due to nickel-and-dime that to death. applauding when parents praised ular elementary schools, their low enrollments, James Normally, a proposal to close Badgett and spoke against Its Weve tried regular school, said. Tliis year, 153 students at- schools must be announced one closing. said Carrie Igwe, whose fourth-tend Badgett, 188 go to Dodd, and year before the shutdown date. I like it here because most of grade son, Caleb, has attention its tend --------------- 200 attend Fair Park. But with the budget cuts, James the teachers are nice, and they deficit hyperactivity disorder The average Little Rock ele- said, schools must act fast. let you come into their class- and attends the charter school. ' Everybody has to be rooms and they give you treats," He has special needs. * } Igwe said her son did poorly mentary school has 363 students. ----- If the tliree schools are closed, touched, James told the crowd. 10-year-old Kenetra Lowe said their students would attend dif- "'rhis is not a win-win situation. after the meeting. Id rather stay in his classes until he came to The one-hour meeting went here. I may be shy to go to an- Badgett. Igwe said she doesnt the next school year. more smoothly than past dis- other school. I wouldnt have any want her son to return to regu- Some teachers would find cussions about closing Badgett, friends on the first day. lar classes, and she balks at pri- Parents and educators ex- vate school tuition. ferent schools at the start of other jobs in the district, but oth- In 1995, a proposal to close Bad- -------------------------------- _ ers could be laid off, James said, gett met with parents protests pressed concern about the 83 We don't have the kind ol It certainly seemed reason- and a court challenge that forced students who attend Badgett's money to send him to a private able to me, board Vice President the School Board to back down, charter school. The students, school, she said, unless the Lit- But on Thursday, audience many of whom have learning dis- tie Rock School District is going ' ' ' to pay it for us. Judy Magness said. "Whenyouve ---- ... . . got to cut $6 million, you cant members listened quietly, tw
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