The education woes of Arkansas
On Friday, June 10, Arkansas’ Legislative Joint Auditing Committee voted to recommend the removal of the Pulaski County Special School District — the state’s third largest school district — due to audit findings that have not been adequately addressed.
The recommendation now lies in the hands of Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell, who, under the Omnibus Act of 2003, may decide to remove the district’s board and superintendent.
Rep. Jane English, R-Sherwood, said she would like the state Board of Education to consider dissolving the district and sending the students into other districts, stating “I don’t think they’re getting the education that they need to have.”
Sadly, this is not the first time the state’s Education Commissioner has been called upon to remedy the financial woes of a district. In 2005, then Education Commissioner Ken James removed Helena-West Helena Superintendent T.J. Graham after the submission of three inadequate plans to alleviate her district’s financial quandaries.
“Our foremost concern is the education of the students in this community,” Dr. James continued. Today’s action is necessary to ensure that educators here can operate in a positive and stable environment and that the students have the best chance possible to learn and to succeed.”
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Legislative Panel Recommends Removal of PCSSD Board
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