[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6609949,"mediaKeyId","2905174-46efdde46d97e494565c898b40e1cf84","parentId",2905174,"title","NAACP and residents press PCSSD on College Station, Harris facilities and agenda transparency","audioSeconds",767,"startMs",3919000,"endMs",4686000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905174-46efdde46d97e494565c898b40e1cf84&start=3919&end=4686","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905174-46efdde46d97e494565c898b40e1cf84/thumbnail_3919000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6609949/Arkansas/NAACP-and-residents-press-PCSSD-on-College-Station-Harris-facilities-and-agenda-transparency","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609949-fd5026f96742d61cc4c69a3ec8634e91/orig.mp4?Expires=1773664271&Signature=V~NjhsJAWymzy9JapxiNMW63HOOCqWQUGqHwbBaGomexl9oRaGB9tJDm-JLuYNrGUznY5bTo5ReG57QiEcErQ0w4akLQXUueadP1qNasnpuP-DULcZ7Ee9rhVLSGG5hrFMcq1QRaqaYhN73KoeY-O8d3LgbUd9PJge7kEqp-B47nNXjnnmpqO45l77PPGpHMKvGM0924x~oUUfC3fYswWbCqivXU4pXPvp9ADIaE8cvcZmjB6jFPLgkdqbxyLT6EiZguEPG~75C7SCXAuifz~vkf-k96eDIN5eYg~XCFGYZcPq4mC28aLUpZjgmyKwJ27ERu4vdYJ-6HFY-f66qblw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-04-09T03:25:36.077Z","article","Marie Hollowell, president of the Little Rock NAACP branch, and other community members accused the Pulaski County Special School District board April 8 of neglecting repairs at College Station and Harris elementary schools and of poor transparency in how the board added an unlisted award to a previous meeting agenda.

Hollowell said she toured College Station and saw storm damage and leaking rooms that left eight classrooms compressed into three spaces. She said the campus primarily serves students of color and asked the board to place College Station and Harris at the top of facilities work lists rather than treat those repairs as lower priority.

“Students should always come before amenities,” Hollowell told trustees, adding that she was told insurance payments were pending but questioned why the problems had gone unattended for years. She also referenced bond materials that showed other campuses receiving new athletic facilities and asked whether the bond literature misled voters about priorities.

Separately, community member Courtney Stone Jackson raised procedural concerns about a previous meeting in which an award and a legislator’s public comment were not on the posted agenda. Jackson warned that adding “late agenda items” without public notice undermines transparency and risks violating board policy; she asked whether the board would allow late items in future meetings.

Several speakers connected the procedural complaint to a broader concern: members of the public and advocacy groups have called on the board to respond to derogatory comments made on social media by a board member. Hollowell said the district had not yet addressed the comment publicly. The board took no formal action on discipline or a public apology at the April 8 meeting.

Provenance: Hollowell’s remarks begin at about 3919.71; procedural comments by Courtney Stone Jackson are at about 4556.745.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pulaski County Special School District PCSSD Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","The Little Rock NAACP and several residents asked the Pulaski County Special School District board April 8 to prioritize repairs at College Station and Harris elementary schools and to stop adding unlisted agenda items without public notice.","taxTitle","PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Arkansas","taxId",13595,"location","Arkansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6609958,"PCSSD board approves certified allocation changes after heated debate over learning-services cuts and ALE restructuring",4536,6944000,11480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905174-46efdde46d97e494565c898b40e1cf84&start=6944&end=11480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905174-46efdde46d97e494565c898b40e1cf84/thumbnail_6944000.jpg","/articles/6609958/Arkansas/PCSSD-board-approves-certified-allocation-changes-after-heated-debate-over-learning-services-cuts-and-ALE-restructuring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609958-205751368cf52cc3494858a95799cc02/orig.mp4?Expires=1773664271&Signature=iB13vrRfqZ98xKrFt5cJFTXcQsTIWcaTBsiy8LcLtiwYihyilSr-L8T0eJ~9qyCzYXvVk5l7GD2awY~Q-ehiI4uoYSv1mt9m3G5MAvw9aZKQmQhDecFi8kzv0Ry5gHjtTMbuSumRQm7zPBQJUomY6pEoXwou0B6KBmwliDuw2oEBKzclHeqv0Bg2zCBFEfr-G4HMP4HQVGyi8MmuzKEXCFDPpU76UKeh9akerj97SLGVq6eNu9dMGHN870NMlQSyufZ8S1gGK-mRb-TGIjX9FjgHCgwaDq4QA6iWdGJQFnLHA9qy5IRLpeOALE~gl3HYdUvfHfxia6~VT0wtXwwxAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) trustees voted 5–2 April 8 to approve proposed changes to certified staffing allocations that district leaders said are needed to shore up the district’s legal fund and reduce projected year-end shortfalls.

Supporters said the changes will reduce payroll costs while preserving core services; opponents warned the cuts will weaken instructional support and curriculum development. Board members Patrick Keller and [Name Ward] voted against the plan.

The board’s action freezes two existing director-level positions — listed in the agenda as director of STEM and director of humanities and learning services — and creates a single director of learning services position. District staff also described a change to the district’s Alternative Learning Environment (ALE) model: instead of concentrating ALE students at a separate Success Learning Academy site, the district will place ALE classrooms at several middle and high school campuses. Administrative leaders said that change is intended to reduce transportation and site-level expenses.

Dr. Whitfield, who led Learning Services presentations during the meeting, told trustees the department already carries a long list of duties and that losing two specialist positions would strain the team. “When you take away the foundation, then the house crumbles,” she said, describing curriculum, accountability and statewide assessment work the team manages. She said the district lacks curriculum in multiple tested areas and warned the remaining staff would face a larger workload if the board reduced staffing.

Chief financial staffer Miss Rowlett told the board the legal (general) fund balance had fallen from an earlier projection and that the district needed to reduce recurring expenditures. Rowlett said the certified allocation changes shown on the board’s spreadsheet represent about $463,746 in recurring salary savings on the certified side (not including fringe benefits); she also estimated restructuring the ALE model would reduce program and transportation costs by roughly $1.2 million annually based on current enrollments. Rowlett said the district expects a sizable tax distribution from Pulaski County in mid-May but argued action now would improve the district’s position with state oversight units.

Several elementary and secondary principals who spoke during public comment said the proposed cuts would remove essential, content-specific leadership. “This work is heavy,” one principal said. She and other principals asked the board to reconsider the consolidation and to allow more time for the incoming superintendent to evaluate Learning Services staffing.

Board members who supported the allocations said the district must demonstrate fiscal control as its legal fund balance declines and that resources (including dozens of academic coaches school-based across the district) could be repurposed to support instruction under the new structure.

The motion to approve was made by President Delaney and seconded by Miss Smith. The recorded vote was 5 in favor, 2 opposed (Keller, Ward).

What’s next: The approved allocations take effect for the 2025–26 cycle. The board also approved a long certified hiring list at the same meeting; individual schools will implement placement and scheduling for ALE classroom locations over the summer.

Provenance: The certified allocation proposals and public debate begin in the transcript at the item introduced around 6944.42 (agenda discussion of the 2025–26 certified allocation changes) and conclude with the board vote at 11446.6455 (motion and second; roll call).","Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) trustees voted 5–2 April 8 to approve proposed certified allocation changes that district officials say are needed to reduce payroll costs and stabilize the district’s legal fund balance.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6609954,"Classified employees and dyslexia interventionists press PCSSD board for pay parity and role recognition",1091,4129000,5220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905174-46efdde46d97e494565c898b40e1cf84&start=4129&end=5220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905174-46efdde46d97e494565c898b40e1cf84/thumbnail_4129000.jpg","/articles/6609954/Arkansas/Classified-employees-and-dyslexia-interventionists-press-PCSSD-board-for-pay-parity-and-role-recognition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609954-c71f02892596747ccad7070bcb3a50fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1773664271&Signature=QT83RINS478mCc3lKdjxIrB4syvOPiMfMGvW~zg4PMyUktB3aZb1wNpVKDjn8D8LyAeMQjjAWsgcMVTP39XB3cEns1NP887b-n64VdnpYld0MEEFyafjMVJ8X~UyLxBfEXObhjlbkilhojT-XZppEROYRsp635bIaxOnjfvQ6vGNl49QvDUBAr2pahu7LfW-jRtsJMzrX4CChCOLKc5kkrUT6IhHQ9FH0n8li~BGUWkRM9H62Ti~nRisyz33jie~ekCYWoQ4pyThgnhXLFnaUh8mfzIMqv8C37c4c-RpdZceblkogtuCqK68CYiBW81AVgUGJZ503u22JCZKjSKlzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Classified staff and certified dyslexia interventionists urged the Pulaski County Special School District board April 8 to adopt pay increases and job reclassifications they said are necessary to retain specialists who deliver direct, research-backed reading interventions.

Speakers described the daily responsibilities of interventionists and the effect small salary differences have on retention. Several interventionists said the district’s recent raises for some classified roles did not include dyslexia interventionists — staff who perform assessments, run small-group, multisensory reading instruction and document student progress.

“My students are taught using explicit, systematic, sequential, cumulative direct instruction using a multisensory approach,” said Melanie Leffler, who identified herself as a dyslexia interventionist at Watson High School. “We provide individualized small-group instruction and daily documentation. We deserve an adjustment that reflects our contribution.”

Other speakers described health and financial hardships that make predictable pay important. Gabby Mendiola (transcript name Mendiola) told the board she developed a chronic medical condition and said she needs steady compensation to continue working as an interventionist; Shauna Hall and Jeri Lynn Taylor described increased caseloads and schedule disruptions that add duties beyond their job titles.

Speakers requested two specific changes cited during the meeting: parity of salary ranges with paraprofessionals (interventionists currently reported at range 8 while paraprofessionals moved to range 9) and a planned move to range 10 by the following August. Speakers also asked for clear communication from central office about timelines for any action.

The board did not take a separate vote specifically on interventionist pay at the April 8 meeting; several speakers asked that the board remove a classified freeze or reclassification agenda item from consent to consider it separately.

Provenance: Dyslexia interventionist testimony began around 4129.105 (Melanie Leffler) and continued with multiple staff comments through 5356.23 (Shauna Hall).","Multiple classified staff and certified dyslexia interventionists spoke at the April 8 board meeting, urging the Pulaski County Special School District to extend pay increases and reclassify intervention roles so salaries reflect the specialized work these staff provide.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6609939,"PCSSD recognizes students and coaches at April 8 meeting",795,1986000,2781000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905174-46efdde46d97e494565c898b40e1cf84&start=1986&end=2781","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905174-46efdde46d97e494565c898b40e1cf84/thumbnail_1986000.jpg","/articles/6609939/Arkansas/PCSSD-recognizes-students-and-coaches-at-April-8-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609939-be199bd092b6a24487af7830a3ae0f0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773664271&Signature=Ily1AOgVMtqD6WGxl6qq~eK~0sWPe8-8k-qZcl3VT~~lkqHeFH3rq2fCn~f2zZgKmAT6v-RkN1lj2FWseTtN08XgfV9Z0i0rf6sOb6OKSsTyaDiJnlFV~2FtfCPz8DHL2ahiToA7bf~IFBg9XC8xtd6lWyF991JQDHRWq3sP63y4F9~ChgTj1dAvyAcz8myAYMjd5~mE71lsPDAnyPafpjUEG42ekACcCwx8ENdVJ5OtFX9sBkh88z0kTTSdQ4U~MnCdJLiV0oD2J00LMcyletB-ONpDPfkPSI8tyUjJQdIugmUx7SVVMUOHHxH88xRMRCiGXxgzvBgU9Wn~6RYG6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pulaski County Special School District board opened its April 8 meeting with recognitions of students and staff accomplishments.

Highlights included the introduction of the student board member, Dekiran Collins, a junior at Maumelle High School who returned to in-person instruction through the district’s alternative-learning options; Jamia McCoy, a student at Success Learning Academy who received the Diamond Award recognized by the ALA community; Maumelle High’s boys basketball team and their coaches for a state runner-up finish under Coach Michael Shook; and a state championship recognition for a team coached by Coach Cooper. Lauren Jewell of Maumelle received the National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators scholarship — the first recipient in Arkansas, her supporters said.

Superintendent-level staff and principals presented plaques and brief remarks. The recognitions preceded public comment and the board’s business agenda.

Provenance: Student recognitions occur at the start of the meeting beginning about 1986.15 and continue through 2848.945.","At its April 8 meeting the Pulaski County Special School District board honored several students and coaches, including a Maumelle High student board member, an ALE student award recipient, state-champion teams and a national scholarship recipient.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":81,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6609944,"Votes at a glance: key PCSSD board actions April 8, 2025",1945,9535000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905174-46efdde46d97e494565c898b40e1cf84&start=9535&end=11480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905174-46efdde46d97e494565c898b40e1cf84/thumbnail_9535000.jpg","/articles/6609944/Arkansas/Votes-at-a-glance-key-PCSSD-board-actions-April-8-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609944-4bcbc39f8e34b0ef24d1f98346c36ea1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773664271&Signature=LTFIjm4nNa9mOa7NO6JsO4VLrXU1aehrs7eObY1E6zLHZlSgxSSLuYv9sK22xxJ5-YuOw42htQDqwTBimvJQZphJn5H0XDEvb8wHGZYBuW~KYVMgbDkF1hNw69VfsRqy4EH2xwUXTrzIUwSsLYWkyTOjw~t4RUSsn98GxuHkYKKkg9OtMN8lDD8rXnHk0ykPZAPdNnIUnMh21FX80kWNRNZFxHg-V62POe1FWs2ckWPr56GD7a~dLn1h7-CLiU~z57cvoWDUcvRSlsZZ0CXNg7jwiTQDDq9M7dZW~999UYYgGURlGnWLcmIZAj2wubanoKHfw5fzgqO-ieMVAiEZWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","This is a summary of formal actions taken by the Pulaski County Special School District board at its April 8, 2025 regular meeting. Vote outcomes are drawn from the meeting record.

Resolution to compensate staff for weather-related school closures
- Motion: Approve payment for licensed and classified staff for seven missed days due to inclement weather.
- Mover: (made during discussion); second: Miss Potter
- Vote: Voice vote; approved (ayes recorded).
- Outcome: approved
- Notes: Similar to a resolution previously used in prior years; district staff recommended approval.

Certified allocation changes (2025–26)
- Motion: Approve certified allocation changes as recommended by administration (consolidation of two director positions and other certified reallocations).
- Mover: President Delaney
- Second: Miss Smith
- Vote: 5 in favor, 2 opposed (Keller, Ward)
- Outcome: approved
- Notes: Vote followed heated public comment from principals and Learning Services staff.

Certified hiring list (2025–26)
- Motion: Approve detailed certified hiring/contract list (by school)
- Mover: Miss Maynard
- Second: Miss Smith
- Vote: 5 in favor, 2 opposed (Keller, Ward)
- Outcome: approved
- Notes: Hiring list is extensive; board directed staff to proceed with contract distribution.

Policy adoptions and personnel items
- Discipline and grievance policy (certified): Motion by Miss Maynard; second Miss Potter. Vote: unanimous (7–0). Outcome: adopted; effective July 1 (board noted option for immediate effect but set for July 1 start).
- Bereavement leave (certified/classified): Motion and second; adopted by voice vote; committee approved immediate implementation.
- Shared sick leave (certified/classified): Motion and second; adopted; updated language permits spouses who are employees to jointly request use of accumulated sick leave.
- Classified attendance incentive policy: Motion and second; approved as proposed by classified PPC.

Desegregation-intervener legal fees
- Motion: Approve payment of interveners’ invoice for 2024–25 desegregation-related legal work
- Mover: Dr. Tate
- Second: Miss Smith
- Vote: voice vote; approved
- Outcome: approved; amount $16,224.50 (invoice under existing cap set by court order)

Consent agenda
- Motion: Approve consent agenda (standard contracts, purchases, personnel items)
- Mover: Miss Maynard
- Second: Miss Smith
- Vote: Ayes recorded; adopted

Executive session
- Motion: Move to executive session to discuss employment of public officers/employees
- Mover: board motion; second recorded
- Vote: approved by voice; board entered executive session (no decisions announced publicly on re-entry)

Provenance: Each action and its discussion appear in the minutes and transcript between agenda introductions (from the staff compensation resolution at approximately 6835.5) through the certified allocations vote (11446.6455) and the certified hiring list vote (11776.11).","The Pulaski County Special School District board approved multiple personnel and policy items on April 8, 2025, including certified allocation changes and a large certified hiring list. Several policy updates were adopted and the board authorized executive session for personnel discussion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

NAACP and residents press PCSSD on College Station, Harris facilities and agenda transparency

PCSSD board approves certified allocation changes after heated debate over learning-services cuts and ALE restructuring

Classified employees and dyslexia interventionists press PCSSD board for pay parity and role recognition

PCSSD recognizes students and coaches at April 8 meeting

Votes at a glance: key PCSSD board actions April 8, 2025