State took control of district in 2015

This month marks the four-year anniversary of the 2015 state takeover of the Little Rock School District because six schools had chronically low percentages of students scoring at proficient levels on state math and literacy exams.

Members of the Arkansas Board of Education noted the anniversary in a discussion at their Friday meeting about how to proceed with the district that must correct the issues that led to the takeover within five years.

Susan Chambers, a member of the Arkansas Board of Education from Bella Vista, raised the issue, saying the clock is running in the background and she wants to be better informed on what the responsibilities of the state board will be over the course of the coming year.

Jay Barth of Little Rock, the chairman of the Education Board, said a determination is needed on what is the best way to move the Little Rock district forward. He noted that several district residents who addressed the board at a daylong meeting last month did not feel the district is better than it was four years ago.

Fitz Hill, another board member from Little Rock, suggested a set of weekly and monthly goals or expectations be set and clearly articulated for the district and public

Arkansas Education Commissioner Johnny Key said the board receives quarterly reports from the district and state agency about the district and he wanted suggestions on how those could be made more meaningful. He also noted there is very little public involvement with the district’s state-appointed Community Advisory Board, which is tasked with serving as a liaison between the district’s patrons, and the district administration and Key.

The seven-member advisory board, which currently has one vacancy, meets the fourth Thursday of every month to review district finances, policy revisions, student achievement data and other district initiatives.