[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6567323,"mediaKeyId","3336048-4cc0c8cf6b98d22e21ee8947c1584e40","parentId",3336048,"title","Little Rock School District board approves MOUs, hires, naming and financial report; grants background-check waiver","audioSeconds",4865,"startMs",5600000,"endMs",10465000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3336048-4cc0c8cf6b98d22e21ee8947c1584e40&start=5600&end=10465","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3336048-4cc0c8cf6b98d22e21ee8947c1584e40/thumbnail_5600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6567323/Arkansas/Little-Rock-School-District-board-approves-MOUs-hires-naming-and-financial-report-grants-background-check-waiver","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567323-4e515e5bed14fc876df9bdf28e45e436/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138745&Signature=jM8euQRFuxKgPkQXg-zgyd5UZEmCdRexjWKoYUdZKEmc46DIr6XR2sE1JmBR7Eat5FzizHaL9KgaGPh1LnkPfQRxG7BnoAoFSt01z9TJ~S-Y08Q-7e4DI1fm2XwQl2ckpOsQdJ5wwGY5d8Csg0-8Yl2WTeM6TvgXE4yKSWhtI5JwQMMPV7xhffgMKmB0ZvSyxHhIBEDoaskZkgHAcFSzzgPcMXBFPmDJFD2KFVWqDoEteGpfxCx9TFlPsUuIneZxs7AEO3BduiuE5CKtjNJjyKu1R4O9vEFI5aQAKQc2XwDH7kesX7GWPEpsFBCkAfSP-243jqYj92E-rmaoh7g5-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-05-09T01:42:17Z","article","The Little Rock School District Board of Education on May 15 approved a package of routine and individual actions, including contract memoranda of understanding, personnel recommendations, the renaming of a media center and the April financial report. The board also granted a personnel-background waiver for a classified applicant.

Key outcomes
- Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda, which the meeting packet listed to include K–12 ELA and math STEM academic supplemental supports (2025–26), City Year MOU (2025–26), River Mountain Eye Care MOA, a Medicaid billing specialist MOU, community service learning applications, donation/property approvals and assorted personnel changes. Board members discussed a citation concern about Lexia contract entries for schools that are closing; administration said billing is student-based rather than school-based.

- Employment recommendations (Round 4): The board approved the fourth round of employment recommendations for the 2025–26 school year after questions about placements and the structure of student-registration responsibilities. The superintendent told the board the reassignments were covered in previous budget discussions and that staff had prepared for the transition.

- Roberts Elementary media center: The board voted to name the Roberts Elementary media center the Misty Sims Memorial Library to honor a long‑time Roberts educator and reading teacher; Principal Steven Helmick presented the nomination and read remarks from staff and family. (Motion moved by Miss Westlake; second noted by Anna Strong.)

- Future Smiles Dental Clinic and Arkansas Children’s Hospital MOU: The board approved the creation of a Future Smiles Dental Clinic operated by LRSD and the related MOUs supporting school‑based health operations, and separately approved an MOU with Arkansas Children’s Hospital for primary care services at schools. Board member Michael Adams recused himself from the ACH vote because of an employment connection to ACH.

- April 2025 financial report: The board accepted the April 2025 financial report; Finance Director Michael Bailey reviewed collections, fund balances and areas of concern, noting capital improvement fund drawdown related to construction projects. He said district tax collections were close to budget projections and that capital project and textbook needs will be monitored.

- Background-check waiver: The board granted a waiver for a classified applicant, David Rollins, after administration recommended approval; the state Department of Education licensure attorney had recommended the applicant as a waiver candidate.

Superintendent comment and staffing note
Superintendent Dr. Mike Poore addressed recurring claims made in recent meetings about sanitized data, restricting employee appeals and outside hiring. On external hires he said the district has recommended about 2,550 hires for 2025–26 and that 25 of those hires were external candidates (under 1%), noting most recommendations were current LRSD employees.

Why it matters: The actions maintain operations for the coming school year (staffing, contracts, health services) and honor an educator’s legacy. Several items raised governance and communication questions — notably hiring processes, Lexia contract line items for schools scheduled to close, and the student-registration reorganization — that administration said it will clarify.

Provenance: These votes and approvals appear in the meeting record at multiple points in the May 15 transcript, including consent and employment items (timestamps 3645.20–3761.90; 4656.26–4678.95), the Roberts media center naming (4699.86–5347.49), MOUs for Future Smiles and ACH (5364.27–5653.44), the April financial report (5660.37–7153.23), and the personnel-background waiver hearing (10435.19–10912.45).

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LRSD School Board Meeting - May 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Little Rock School District board on May 15 approved multiple MOUs, personnel recommendations, the naming of the Roberts Elementary media center for Misty Sims, the April financial report and a background‑check waiver for a classified applicant.","taxTitle","LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Arkansas","taxId",13594,"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},6567328,"Central parents say new athletic facility sits unused, urge district to provide weight equipment and transportation",414,2134000,2548000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3336048-4cc0c8cf6b98d22e21ee8947c1584e40&start=2134&end=2548","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3336048-4cc0c8cf6b98d22e21ee8947c1584e40/thumbnail_2134000.jpg","/articles/6567328/Arkansas/Central-parents-say-new-athletic-facility-sits-unused-urge-district-to-provide-weight-equipment-and-transportation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567328-2e2231325e91ab9026c22b64018a1648/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138745&Signature=koypB4OYndf7x4qvxWIdWrrBlGB7P88D74rut5hJsE~qXdnDkK4P9382nSTE3Ub3eoSuRpQ2yQhsEwfF1XG38uYQeHnN0gG0b31vUHCcDS5H4QVOY200Q1kZybz5zEdZV80jXNlAGtPI7cwj97zeKEXVHje~47tQ7T7E7TyxXt49wZrVGeBdv4bMFH8mn3Z62SccIP~IOsydr03G1Ji2WtGuRr8oyPBlWouHsm5kSL5tCBlVeNSQMtHHK0OakKC9YkiKfXiy~~MW5GXP2ZEr2uICeigQdYWMRev93u~qOarAS81Pdj1d8Odbqt4gA0~PjeFlbIBpMgdbEgzvTHcVnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents of Central High School athletes told the Little Rock School District Board of Education on May 15 that the school’s new multimillion-dollar athletic facility is not yet usable for students because necessary weight equipment has not been installed and athletic transportation is lacking.

The issue surfaced during public comment when Misty Outlaw, a Central alumna and parent, said the school’s athletes — “close to 500,” or about 20% of the student body — still train in what she called the “Staff Dungeon” at Quigley Stadium and that the makeshift space lacks air conditioning, has experienced plumbing and sewage problems and caused at least one student to contract a staph infection. “We have a multimillion dollar facility that was recently built … but it is not able to be used to its full potential at this point because we do not have equipment to use,” Outlaw said.

Courtney Emery, who identified herself as a booster-club leader and parent, echoed the request and said volunteers and parents have been working to supply water and food but lack clear communication from the district on the status of ordered equipment and whether fundraising will be required. “Do we need to do fundraising? Where is that communication as the booster to get those funds?” Emery asked.

Parents asked the board to delay any planned utility shutdowns that would cut power to the new facility, citing a June 1 target date mentioned in public remarks. “Please don’t shut the electricity off June 1,” Emery said, adding that coaches should not have to drive students in personal vehicles without reimbursement.

Superintendent Dr. Mike Poore (Dr. Wright in meeting remarks) acknowledged the parents’ concerns during the meeting’s financial and facilities discussion and said staff are investigating the outstanding orders and project completion. Finance director Michael Bailey said the district would investigate activity-fund balances and booster-raised money for equipment and work with athletics and facilities staff to clarify the procurement and delivery timeline. He told the board the district would “get to the bottom of it” and update the board in June.

Why it matters: Parents said the delay affects hundreds of students across multiple sports and undermines safety and program momentum built under recent coaching and community efforts. They pressed the board for clearer communications about procurement status and for a district-led solution to ensure students have access to the facilities built for them.

What parents requested
- Move ordered weight equipment into the new facility or provide district funds to cover the purchase; parents asked for clear timeline and status of any orders.
- Athletic transportation for summer practice and events, rather than relying on coaches’ personal vehicles.
- Avoid planned utility shutoffs that would prevent student access to the new facility.

District response and next steps
- Superintendent said staff are reviewing procurement records and the activity-fund balances raised by boosters.
- Finance and facilities staff said they would report back to the board with status and proposed solutions at the June meeting.

Provenance: Parents’ comments and district staff responses appeared during the public comment period and the later finance/facilities discussion (transcript timestamps 2134.10–2528.92; 5703.46–5764.41).

","Parents of Central High athletes told the Little Rock School District board that the school’s new multimillion-dollar athletic facility lacks weight equipment and that students still use an unconditioned basement “staff dungeon.” They asked the district to move equipment, provide athletic transportation and keep utilities on through the summer.",{"_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},6567318,"Little Rock board chooses 4-year terms and a seven-member council under Act 503",1136,7200000,8336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3336048-4cc0c8cf6b98d22e21ee8947c1584e40&start=7200&end=8336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3336048-4cc0c8cf6b98d22e21ee8947c1584e40/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","/articles/6567318/Arkansas/Little-Rock-board-chooses-4-year-terms-and-a-seven-member-council-under-Act-503","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567318-b20a3905f289a6a6753c57aa190e7f57/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138745&Signature=B8Jg8VLI3F2GPx6qJ0TKy6FRRUcv4GEmaX77~HdsTF3INpPmCbf6S87Uz7WHi9dWoyL6T4PJC2V3Kw6ztp8G0xRgrDp~ca8WYnqJNPRNTqgbUhpv0XL5S72cixxVFNEdfGEj2EpamFgEjY9gRElN-njYeTxFG4g8aJAjsIBZ8kxyf93fu587psgVbiDv6sVZ9WZOeFRvHWTOH~weV67XYKwyv8i~RXkjjOeBwlJ6C1T2X2qDsIc5JLA4t9PulnzDJZkArLQQw1KbjAE6xoDKKG0859pFqshYVdDG7PH3JJIUE3l0iQcjdB5hZ5RiwBy5hACyeMlXCTe~UrOGGr95GQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Rock School District Board of Education on May 15 voted to change the terms and size of future elected boards under Act 503 (2025). After debate, the board approved two separate motions: to set future elected member terms at four years, and to set the board size at seven members effective with the reconfigured board in March 2026.

Board discussion reflected concerns about turnover, candidate recruitment and the potential for political consequences tied to redistricting. Supporters said four-year terms strike a balance between attracting candidates and maintaining continuity; opponents raised constitutional and equity concerns and argued the law could encourage political designs that resegregate representation.

Who moved the motions
- Miss Rissett moved that future elected board members serve four-year terms; motion was seconded and approved by voice vote after discussion.
- A subsequent motion to set board size at seven members was moved and seconded; it passed by voice vote. Several board members said they would seek legal guidance and further discussion with counsel about maps, census impacts and the transition process.

Why it matters
Act 503 requires districts under specified enrollment thresholds to adjust board structure; the district will now prepare for elections and a redistricting process that will be implemented for March 2026. Board members noted potential implications for representation, candidate recruitment and the timing of transitions for current members.

Next steps and follow-up
Legal counsel (Chris Heller) was asked to provide technical guidance on the redistricting contract and the practical impacts if future enrollment changes (for example, the 2030 census) alter the threshold calculation. Board members discussed asking the vendor to produce multiple draft map options for review, and staff said they will bring additional information and scheduling steps for the reconfiguration process.

Provenance: The board’s motions and votes on Act 503 and board configuration are recorded in the May 15 transcript (timestamps 7180.18–8331.24).","Following debate over turnover and community representation, the Little Rock School District board voted to set future elected board terms at four years and to reduce board size to seven members under state Act 503. The decisions will take effect with the district's reconfigured board in March 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Little Rock School District board approves MOUs, hires, naming and financial report; grants background-check waiver

Central parents say new athletic facility sits unused, urge district to provide weight equipment and transportation

Little Rock board chooses 4-year terms and a seven-member council under Act 503