Little Rock School District supporters are outraged about an angry statement state Board of Education member Brett Williamson of El Dorado made at the end of a board meeting Thursday following several speakers who called for a return of local control of the district, taken over by the state two years ago because of six schools among 48 in academic distress.
Anika Whitfield
Posted inCover Stories
The Little Rock millage question: taxation without representation?
Frustration with the state’s takeover of Little Rock schools scrambles the usual political lines on an upcoming millage election.
Posted inArkansas Blog
School activist says no to LR tax; backers hope for low black voter turnout
Another prominent black person has spoken out against the Little Rock School District tax proposal on a special election ballot May 9. The business establishment group pushing for approval of an $600 million in new taxes has a formula to victory that counts on a low black turnout in the majority black district.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Apartments, health clinic among ideas for re-use of Little Rock schools
The Little Rock School District has received seven ideas for using two schools to be closed next year as a result of budget cuts approved by the state, which controls the school district. The ideas include multi-family housing in the Woodruff buildings and community services, including health care, for the Franklin building.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Belatedly, LR Board moves on resolution on city school closures
The Little Rock City Board may take a vote on a resolution asking for a study of the impact of state-recommended Little Rock school closures. It’s only symbolic. But the symbolism is important.
Posted inArkansas Blog
City board squelches Little Rock school talk
A letter from Little Rock school activist Dr. Anika Whitfield happens to underscore a point I made earlier today — and in a column to be published this week. It lays some of the school district’s problems on benign neglect, and sometimes malice, of the Little Rock City Board.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Charter school assault continues on the Little Rock School District
Sen. Joyce Elliott and citizen activists are raising the alarm about legislation that gives charter schools and charter school operators first call on leasing vacant school buildings.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Johnny Key refuses to meet with citizen group on LR schools
State Education Commissioner Johnny Key has refused to meet as the Little Rock School Board with a citizen’s group that petitioned for a meeting as the law prescribes.
Posted inArkansas Blog
LR residents seek meeting with Johnny Key on School District
Little Rock residents have petitioned for a public meeting with the Little Rock School District “School Board,” which under current law means the state educational commissioner. There are many questions on which his answers might be interesting.
Posted inArkansas Blog
The Little Rock school closure rumble
The plan to close some Little Rock School District elementary schools is stirring questions and harsh criticism.