State briefs
Arkansas approves $44.5M for 49 school improvement projects
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas has approved spending $44.5 million for 49 school construction, replacement and system repair projects across the state.
The Commission for Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation voted in favor of the plan Wednesday, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. Some of the projects that will receive state funding include a new middle school in Bentonville, a new high school in the Cutter-Morning Star School District, and new elementary schools in Arkadelphia and Rogers. Other projects are a renovation of Malvern High School and its gym, as well as electrical upgrades for the West Memphis district and building additions at four of its elementary schools.
“I’m surprised you didn’t hear me scream ‘hallelujah’ this morning when we got notification,” said Jon Collins, West Memphis superintendent.
Richland, Faulk, Maddux and Weaver elementary schools in the West Memphis district will receive a combined $7.7 million for electrical upgrades and building additions. With the rest of the electrical upgrades, the district is expected to receive a total of $16 million, Collins said.
“It’s been a long time since West Memphis School District has tackled a project like this,” Collins said. “We want to make sure we do our due diligence and take our time. We want to have a good product in the end for our learners.”
The state funding for individual projects ranges from as much as $5.2 million for each of the Malvern, Arkadelphia and Cutter-Morning Star campuses to as little as about $8,800 for work at Baker Elementary.
The Academic Facilities Partnership Program reimburses districts for a percentage of the cost of their state-approved school construction projects.
The program was created by Arkansas lawmakers about 10 years ago as a way to equalize educational opportunities in the state’s more than 230 school districts. Districts with more local property tax revenue qualify for a smaller share of state aid than those that generate little property tax revenue.
Arkansas Democrats dropping Jefferson, Jackson from dinner
LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Democratic Party is joining a list of states dropping Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson’s names from their biggest annual fundraiser and has formed a committee to come up with a new name.
State Democratic Party Chairman Vince Insalaco said Thursday this year’s Jefferson-Jackson dinner will be the last to feature the late presidents’ names. The party is holding its annual fundraiser July 15 in North Little Rock.
Insalaco said he’s asked former state Chairman Ron Oliver to head up a nine-person committee that will present a new name to the party’s executive committee early next year. Several states, including Georgia, Connecticut and Missouri, have recently dropped Jefferson and Jackson from their fundraisers’ names.
UA trustees approve online degree for Clinton School
NASHVILLE — The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees has approved an online master’s degree program to be offered by UA’s Clinton School of Public Service.
Trustees voted Thursday to approve the online Executive Master of Public Service degree program for the Clinton School. The 36 credit-hour degree must be approved by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education Coordinating Board.
School officials say the new program is designed for mid-career professionals who have significant public service work experience. The program will be offered in collaboration with e-Versity, which is the UA system’s online independent university.
If approved, the program will launch next summer. It will be offered over a period of 24 consecutive months, with 12 eightweek semesters, at a total cost to students of $33,600.
Court upholds $3M judgment against Gerber Products Co.
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas’ highest court says a baby food manufacturer must pay more than $3 million to workers for the time they spent dressing and undressing into uniforms and protective gear.
The state Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a lower court’s ruling that Gerber Products Co. should have compensated workers at its Fort Smith facility for the time they spent changing into uniforms, donning protective gear such as ear plugs and washing their hands, as well as undressing after their shifts ended.
In a 4-3 ruling, justices sided with the workers who said Arkansas’ Minimum Wage Act required the company to compensate for the activities despite an agreement with the union.
Summer is here, so are Arkansas road crews
NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Just in time for the start of summer vacation, Arkansas highway crews will be closing lanes on interstate highways near Little Rock and Springdale.
The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department said crews will put down new asphalt on Interstate 40 between North Little Rock and Morgan during the overnight hours next week. Lane closures will take place in the westbound lanes from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. from Tuesday to Saturday, June 4. Asphalt will be replaced in the center and right lanes.
In northwestern Arkansas, overnight lane closures will occur on Interstate 49 between Johnson Mill Boulevard and U.S. 412 from Tuesday to Friday next week. Northbound lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and southbound lanes will be closed between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Police: Man ejected from vehicle in crash dies
DE QUEEN — Arkansas State Police say a Louisiana man has died after being ejected from his pickup during a crash in Sevier County. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that a preliminary report says 58-year-old James Eakin of Vivian, Louisiana, failed to come to a stop around 3:10 p.m. Wednesday at an intersection while traveling west on Arkansas 27 at U.S. 71.
Authorities say Eakin’s pickup struck a vehicle traveling south on U.S. 71, continued west and struck a tree, causing Eakin to be thrown from his vehicle.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was injured and transported to a hospital for treatment.