Parents write suggestions for LRSD Superintendent Mike Poore at the Zone 3 meeting Wednesday night at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. (AMP photo by Shelby Styron)
Nearly 70 people attended the third of seven planned community meetings to hear the superintendent of the Little Rock School District talk about the proposed closing or repurposing of five schools in the district.
The meeting, held at the Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church on Wednesday, was similar to the first two in which LRSD Superintendent Mike Poore discussed the options the district is considering for reducing the 2018 fiscal budget and explained the possible impacts of closing or repurposing Carver, Franklin, and Wilson elementary schools, Woodruff Early Childhood Center, and Hamilton Learning Academy.
Mr. Poore provided detailed working documents to explain the research behind how and why the district is considering specific schools to help trim the budget.
In 2014, the Arkansas Board of Education voted 5-4 to take over LRSD because six of its 48 schools were in academic distress; the one has since dropped from the list.
The LRSD schools that are still classified in Academic Distress: Cloverdale Middle School, Henderson Middle School, Hall High School, J.A. Fair High School, and McClellan High School.
Mr. Poore was appointed as LRSD’s superintendent effective July 1, 2016, He replaced Baker Kurrus. Mr. Poore has most recently served as superintendent for the Bentonville School District.
The zone meetings offer parents, students, and community members the chance to ask questions and offer suggestions.
Mr. Pore leads each meeting. The date and location of the remaining four school district meetings are:
- Zone 4: November 28th, Fulbright Elementary, 300 Pleasant Valley Drive, 6-7:30p.m.
- Zone 5: November 29th, Henderson Middle School, 401 John Barrow Road, 6-7:30p.m.
- Zone 6: December 1st, Greater Second Baptist Church, 5615 Geyer Springs, 6-7:30p.m.
- Zone 7: December 6th, Southwest Community Center, 6401 Baseline Road, 6-7:30p.m.