Little Rock School District public meetings in 2023
28 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board is reviewing several high-cost capital improvement projects and Phase I recommendations for district optimization. The agenda includes decisions on personnel policies, student calendars, and new community service-learning partners.
- LED lighting project costing up to $3,628,048
- Athletic complex renovations at Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy for $7,429,222
- Phase I recommendations for the 'Optimizing LRSD' process
- Approval of community service partners: VIPS, Asbury UMC Food and Diaper Pantry, and Ozark Mission Project
- Partnership with Caissa Public Strategies for enrollment (recruitment at $850 per pupil)
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board will hold a work session to discuss draft recommendations from the OptimizingLRSD initiative, which aims to address enrollment and building utilization. They will also review a $7,429,222 Guaranteed Maximum Price for athletic complex renovations at Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy, a proposed contract with Caissa Public Strategies for enrollment recruitment, and updates to personnel policies and the 2024-2025 student calendar. Most items are for discussion only, with formal votes planned for the December 14 board meeting.
- Discussion of OptimizingLRSD draft recommendations on enrollment, staffing, and programs
- GMP of $7,429,222 for athletic complex renovations at Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy
- Proposed partnership with Caissa Public Strategies for enrollment (recruitment $850/pupil, retention $2,450/campus)
- Review of updated personnel policies on planning time and sick leave bank
- Proposed 2024-2025 student calendar
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board will consider several action items, including approving a $88,400 contract for K-12 Insights, a customer service platform, and approving the Guaranteed Maximum Price for the new West High School. They will also vote on COVID leave options, a reversal of a previous media specialist policy vote, and routine consent items like personnel changes and donations.
- Approve $88,400 K-12 Insights contract (Title I federal funds)
- Approve Guaranteed Maximum Price for new West High School (cost TBD)
- Select COVID leave option: restore 2 or 3 sick days for COVID/RSV/flu
- Vote to reverse or reaffirm policy allowing library media specialists as planning time
- Accept October 2023 Board Financial Report
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board is meeting to discuss and potentially approve several items, including a new COVID leave policy for employees, a districtwide AI policy, and a contract with K-12 Insights for communication management. They will also receive updates on community service requirements, reading tutoring progress, interim assessment data, cybersecurity, and the district's strategic planning and optimization efforts.
- COVID leave policy options: restore 2 or 3 sick days for COVID/RSV/flu
- AI policy update for districtwide use of AI technologies
- K-12 Insights partnership: $88,400 from Title I funds
- Strategic plan update with Greenway Strategies: $140,000
- Staff displacement guides for Cloverdale Middle and Baseline Elementary closures
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board is holding a special meeting to take action on the future of the Little Rock West School of Innovation (LRWHSOI) during construction of the new "West" High School. The administration recommends relocating LRWHSOI students to Hall STEAM Magnet High School (Option 2) rather than keeping the school open on the active construction site (Option 1). The decision is driven by safety concerns, potential construction delays costing $3-4 million, and a need to cut $15-16 million from the 2024-25 budget.
- Action on options for Little Rock West School of Innovation during new West High School construction
- Administration recommends relocating LRWHSOI to Hall STEAM Magnet High School
- New West High School completion delayed from Fall 2025 to Fall 2026
- Potential construction delays could cost district $3-4 million
- District faces $15-16 million budget cut for 2024-25 school year
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board will vote on consent items including personnel changes, student transfers, a tuition agreement with Methodist Family Health, and the attendance boundary for the new Marian G. Lacey Academy. They will also hear details on Option 1 for the new West High School construction, which may extend the timeline and increase costs, and consider MOUs with Arkansas United, Imagination Library, and CALS. The board will also review the September financial report and discuss community optimization proposals.
- Approve attendance zone for Marian G. Lacey Academy (opening fall 2024)
- 2023-24 tuition agreement with Methodist Family Health of Pulaski County ($65 per eligible student)
- West High School construction Option 1 details (extended timeline, additional costs)
- MOU with Pulaski County Imagination Library ($87,308 annually)
- September 2023 Board Financial Report acceptance
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board will hold a work session to discuss several items, including a support/improvement plan for Southwest High School, proposed strategic initiatives for the 2024-25 school year (including a new attendance boundary and a temporary relocation of West High SOI), public access guidelines for Scott Field, and updates on personnel policies. Most items are for discussion only, with no formal recommendations or votes expected.
- Plan of Support/Improvement for Southwest High School addressing safety and academics
- Proposed attendance boundary for new Marian G. Lacey Academy, potentially removing 100+ students from Western Hills Elementary
- Discussion of temporarily closing West High SOI building and relocating students to Hall STEAM High for 2024-25 and 2025-26
- Proposed public access guidelines for Scott Field track (5-7am weekdays, 4:30pm-sunset, weekends 7am-sunset)
- Proposed three-year youth leadership program 'Building Youth with Purpose' at $48,990 for year 1
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board is holding a special meeting to consider two main items: recommended changes to student handbook policies and alternative placement procedures in response to a high number of disciplinary infractions in the first quarter, and approval of a finalist vendor for a comprehensive strategic plan process. The board will also hear public comments.
- Recommended changes to student handbook policies and alternative placement procedures due to 1,800 behavior infractions in quarter 1, including fighting, disorderly conduct, terroristic threats, and physical assault on staff
- Approval of a strategic plan vendor from procurement process, with $140,000 from General Fund
- Proposal from recommended finalist: Greenway Strategies Proposal
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board will consider a consent agenda with personnel changes, federal program assurances, and multiple contracts, including a $97,500 math coaching contract for J.A. Fair K-8 and an $89,000 agreement with UCA Mashburn Center for Little Rock Southwest High. They will also review a Rock Region Metro bus MOU, an Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts field trip stipend, and a tuition agreement with Methodist Family Health. The meeting includes public comments and committee reports.
- Approve $97,500 Solution Tree math coaching contract for J.A. Fair K-8 Preparatory Academy
- Approve $89,000 MOU with UCA Mashburn Center for Little Rock Southwest Magnet High School
- Approve Rock Region Metro MOU for student/staff bus transportation at $1,250 monthly
- Approve AMFA MOU providing $16,500 stipend for 4th grade field trips
- Approve personnel changes and federal program assurances
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board will hold a work session to discuss several items, including a pilot Newcomer program for English learners at two schools, the fiscal year 2024 budget development process, and updates on recruitment and student support partnerships. The board will also revisit its executive session provisions and meeting structure. No formal votes are scheduled; most items are for discussion or informational updates.
- Newcomer program pilot at Wakefield Elementary and Williams Magnet for 2023-2024
- FY2024 budget discussion; approval required by Sept 30, 2023
- CAISSA recruitment and retention pilot update
- Communities in Schools $1 million grant implementation update
- Revisiting executive session provisions and board meeting structure
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board will consider several action items, including a $164,930 MOU for career coaches, approval of student transfers, a $243,600 day treatment program agreement, and a policy change on library media specialists. The board will also hear public comments and hold an executive session.
- Career Coach MOU with UA-Pulaski Tech, $164,930 from ESA funds
- Student legal transfer petitions (accepted per policy)
- Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative MOU for day treatment, $243,600 from state special ed funds
- Media specialist policy revision to allow teachers to leave class during library time, pending PPC vote
- Executive session
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board is meeting to consider consent agenda items including personnel changes, donations, purchasing reports, and several curriculum and technology contracts, as well as a change order for the Rockefeller Early Childhood Center renovations. The board will also hear public comments and committee reports. Most items are routine approvals, but the Rockefeller change order involves significant capital funds.
- Rockefeller Early Childhood Center renovation change order for $1,032,641 in capital improvement funds
- TENDAJI Reclaiming Scholars Initiative contract for $128,000 for student support services
- Edmentum renewal for new credit and credit recovery courses at $127,340
- Lexia Core 5 and PowerUp reading program renewals for $437,500
- K-5 Social Studies Inquiry Journeys curriculum for $160,183.30
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board is holding a work session to discuss several academic and operational items, including piloting a new K-5 social studies curriculum, renewing reading and credit recovery software, and a student support contract. The board will also receive updates on a solar facility audit and the Tiered Support Plan. No formal votes are scheduled; recommendations will be made at the July 27 board meeting.
- Pilot Inquiry Journeys K-5 social studies curriculum, funded by ESSER at $160,183.30
- Renew Lexia Core 5 and PowerUp reading programs, funded by ESSER at $437,500
- Renew Edmentum for new credit and credit recovery courses, funded by dedicated technology budget at $127,340
- Approve $128,000 for Tendaji Reclaiming Scholars Initiative for middle and high schools
- Update on Tiered Support Plan implementation and financial impact
Board Meeting
This is a special board meeting of the Little Rock School District. The agenda includes public comments, an executive session, and board comments, but no specific action items are listed. The meeting appears to be primarily procedural.
- Public comments period
- Executive session
- Board comments
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board will consider a consent agenda with multiple action items, including a $6.4 million contract for Ignite! Reading tutoring, a $150,000 UnboundEd leadership summit, and a $178,893.48 fine arts curriculum renewal. They will also vote on a new student handbook with a restorative discipline code and approve routine reports, donations, and policy revisions.
- Ignite Reading tutoring contract: $6,425,000 (ARP ESSER funds)
- UnboundEd leadership summit: $150,000 (Title 2 and Title 4 funds)
- Fine arts curriculum platform renewals: $178,893.48 (ARP ESSER funds)
- New Student/Family Handbook with restorative discipline code
- Apptegy website/app proposal: $135,000 annually (starting 2024-25)
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board is meeting to discuss academic programs, including a review by the Council of Great City Schools, and to consider several contracts and proposals. Items include a $150,000 UnboundEd leadership contract, a $178,893.48 fine arts curriculum renewal, a new student handbook with a restorative code of conduct, and partnerships for tutoring and mentoring. The board will also review the FY2022 audit and policy revisions, with formal approvals expected at the June 22 business meeting.
- Council of Great City Schools academic review report
- UnboundEd leadership contract: $150,000 (Title 2 and Title 4)
- Fine arts curriculum platform renewal: $178,893.48
- New 2023-24 Student Handbook with restorative code of conduct
- Life Skills for Youth proposal: $289,472.27 (ESSER)
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board is meeting to consider several action items, including extending the elementary school day to add direct science and social studies instruction, approving construction contracts for an access drive at Chicot Elementary and pavement resurfacing at the transportation facility, and adopting revised employee contract templates and policy sections. The board will also vote on routine consent items such as personnel changes, purchasing reports, donations, and the April 2023 financial report and audit.
- Extend elementary school day to add 30 minutes of direct science/social studies instruction
- Award $1,022,498 contract to Baldwin & Shell Construction for access drive at Chicot Elementary
- Award $2,600,000 contract to Redstone Construction Group for pavement resurfacing at 5400 Murray Street
- Approve revised 2023-24 employee contract template per LEARNS Act
- Adopt revisions to policy sections 3 (Licensed Personnel) and 8 (Classified Personnel)
Special Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board is holding a special meeting to consider a single consent agenda item: approval of a personnel recommendation from the Human Resources department. The recommendation is to staff allocated positions within the district, funded by the operating fund. Public comment will be taken before the vote, and the meeting will adjourn afterward.
- Approval of Personnel Recommendation (consent agenda item)
- Public comment period before action
- Funding from Operating Fund
- Prepared by Robert Robinson, Executive Director of Human Resources
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board will discuss extending the elementary school day to add direct science and social studies instruction, which currently is embedded in literacy. The board will also receive updates on student recruitment, a new education foundation, and strategic planning. Policy discussions include reconciling drug policies, ending public comments via Zoom, and updating employee contracts and personnel policies due to the LEARNS Act.
- Proposal to extend elementary school day to add 30 minutes of direct science/social studies instruction
- Update on Goal 3 Implementation Team for student recruitment
- Progress update on establishing a new LRSD Education Foundation
- Discussion to end public comments via Zoom, returning to in-person only
- Review of updated employee contract template in compliance with LEARNS Act
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board will discuss draft teacher salary schedules required by the Arkansas LEARNS Act, along with policy changes to align with the new law. The board will also consider a grievance policy revision, extending elementary principal contracts to 12 months, and updating the superintendent's contract. No final votes are expected on the salary schedule or superintendent contract at this meeting.
- Draft teacher salary schedule options to comply with LEARNS Act
- Policy changes to align with LEARNS Act, including removal of seniority as primary criterion in personnel decisions
- Proposed grievance policy revision to replace superintendent with neutral hearing officer (1st reading)
- Revision to elementary principal contracts from 11 to 12 months, costing $292,683
- Draft superintendent contract revision to include LEARNS Act performance targets
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board will consider approving a five-year contract with First Student for student transportation services, a request from the Jefferson Elementary PTA to fundraise for a pavilion, a catastrophic leave policy, and rescheduling the May 25th board meeting. The meeting also includes public comments and an executive session.
- RFP23-010: Approve First Student as transportation provider for 2023-2028, replacing previous contract since 1995
- Jefferson Elementary PTA request to fundraise for a pavilion (construction requires later board approval)
- Adopt Disaster Discretionary Emergency Leave Resolution granting superintendent leave authority during disasters
- Reschedule May 25th board meeting to May 18th due to Central graduation conflict
Board Training
The Little Rock School District Board is holding a focus group with the Council of Great City Schools as part of a strategic review of the district's academic program. The session is open to the public and will take place in the board room.
- Focus group with Council of Great City Schools (CGCS)
- Strategic review of LRSD's Academic Program
- Open to the public
- Location: LRSD Board Room, 810 W. Markham Street
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board is holding a work session to receive updates on district initiatives. They will hear from the Constraint 1 team on welcoming and supportive schools, review the tiered school support plan (with a formal approval expected on March 16), and discuss a partnership with P.A.R.K. for after-school and summer programs. The meeting is primarily informational, with no formal votes scheduled.
- Update on Constraint 1 team priorities 1 and 3 for welcoming and supportive schools
- Tiered System Support Plan update, including one additional priority school designation and preliminary budget information
- P.A.R.K. partnership MOU for free after-school and summer academic assistance for up to 215 students in grades 8-12
- Draft agenda for the March 16 board meeting
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board is holding a special meeting to consider extending the superintendent's contract by one year, resulting in a new three-year term from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026. The board will also hear public comments and may enter executive session.
- Superintendent's contract extension to June 30, 2026
- Public comments
- Executive session
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board will vote on several action items, including a $1,271,266 contract for turf installation at J.A. Fair, a new COVID leave policy, and the 2023-24 student calendar. The board will also hear reports on tutoring programs, a demographer's presentation on enrollment trends, and a proposal for a summer enrichment academy.
- Award $1,271,266 to Baldwin & Shell for turf installation at J.A. Fair (F23-018)
- Approve COVID leave policy restoring up to 2 sick days for COVID/RSV/flu
- Approve 2023-24 student calendar
- Demographer presentation on enrollment projections and boundary analysis
- Elementary Summer Enrichment Academy proposal for rising 3rd & 4th graders
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board is meeting to discuss and potentially decide on several items, including two options for a COVID leave policy, the superintendent's post-100-day entry plan, a tiered support plan, and the 2023-24 student calendar. The board will also hear an update on Goal 1 implementation for grades K-2. No formal votes are scheduled; most items are for discussion or recommendation.
- COVID leave policy: Option 1 restores up to 2 sick days, Option 2 up to 3 days, for COVID/RSV/flu, retroactive to 2022-23
- Discussion of Superintendent's post-100-day entry plan report
- Tiered support plan update for school improvement (autonomous schools, leadership criteria, staff incentives)
- 2023-24 student calendar: two options (standard and early start) recommended for approval
- Goal 1 implementation team report on priorities 3 & 6 for grades K-2
Board Meeting
This is a regular board meeting with standard procedural items: call to order, public comments, committee reports, and a consent agenda. No specific action items, dollar amounts, or policy changes are listed in the agenda text, so the meeting appears to be largely routine and administrative.
- Consent agenda approval
- Personnel changes
- Purchasing reports
- Board minutes approval
- Executive session
Board Meeting
The Little Rock School District Board is holding a special meeting to consider two action items: approving administrator appointments and approving a partnership with International Alliance Group (IAG) to recruit international teachers for hard-to-fill positions. The board will also hear public comments and board comments.
- Appointment of administrators (personnel changes) funded by the Operating Fund
- Partnership with International Alliance Group (IAG) to recruit international teachers for special education, foreign language, ESOL, math, and science positions
- No funding associated with the IAG agreement itself, but costs per teacher hired are detailed in supporting documents