[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,76,88,99,110],{"_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",6533087,"mediaKeyId","3798231-5ebf92e8d1121d6eb70369d2c09ec1ac","parentId",3798231,"title","Board grants background-check waiver to applicant David Rollins after administration recommends approval","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",10300,"endMs",10513,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3798231-5ebf92e8d1121d6eb70369d2c09ec1ac&start=10&end=10","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3798231-5ebf92e8d1121d6eb70369d2c09ec1ac/thumbnail_10300.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6533087/Arkansas/Board-grants-background-check-waiver-to-applicant-David-Rollins-after-administration-recommends-approval","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533087-b8db2088c1d91262842b9e032ecd5577/orig.mp4?Expires=1771112353&Signature=BueRPbcrR38mENZZmkQmuDavuknn4ipF-bDHjDsWb1NfAa5OM4DvvHd9oiQGDNO2hW4Ota1CgOpXm0qQYayYJoaGeWzaA5O~j78z4UV8xAJ7rqUEYpwk4GL3FIpS~rUsIyx1u7ZeU~rSOSbQrdID4mxiTTIqrz4iZUu-SHy1oPJDbPCQkrDRFGia6eso7nmSbGSiunF47Uln57WqPWiShffl7meP8G1ciyUBhrcF83FTkIBtoJ7K3u~PmWPoNKoaLRcNf8HG3Qh9RrNumOYOgoMdtgtGAtpgAznhc~FCT-NiWb8ECJ95zAwCeaNncJi5xbEVwMA~ykdGyCDSrdlZdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-06-12T16:20:04Z","article","The Little Rock School District Board of Directors voted on May 15 to grant a background-check waiver to classified applicant David Rollins after the administration presented documentation and recommended approval.

Staff told the board that Rollins had disclosed the prior conviction on his employment application and submitted supporting documents; the packet included a note from the Arkansas Department of Education licensure attorney indicating the conviction dated to Rollins’s military service in 1988 and stating the circumstances made him an appropriate candidate for waiver consideration. The administration recommended option 1 (grant the waiver) and the board approved the recommendation.

Rollins addressed the board briefly. He said the incident occurred while he was in his twenties and described raising children and serving in the military since then. “I was a single parent when this happened… Both of them went to college,” Rollins told board members as he asked for a chance to demonstrate his work.

Why it matters: The board may grant waivers when an applicant’s background would otherwise disqualify them; staff review and ADE guidance were cited as the basis for recommending approval.

Implementation: Human Resources will proceed with onboarding and placement per district practice. The board recorded the decision in the meeting minutes.

Authorities cited: staff referenced Arkansas Code § 6-17-414 (employee waiver hearings) and ADE licensure guidance in making the recommendation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Meeting - May 15 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Little Rock School District board granted a background-check waiver on May 15 to David Rollins, a classified applicant who fully disclosed a 1988 conviction; staff said Arkansas Department of Education licensure counsel recommended waiver consideration under the circumstances.","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},6533092,"Votes at a glance: Little Rock School District approves consent agenda, hires, MOUs, finance report and background-check waiver",3,6863,10412,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3798231-5ebf92e8d1121d6eb70369d2c09ec1ac&start=6&end=10","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3798231-5ebf92e8d1121d6eb70369d2c09ec1ac/thumbnail_6863.jpg","/articles/6533092/Arkansas/Votes-at-a-glance-Little-Rock-School-District-approves-consent-agenda-hires-MOUs-finance-report-and-background-check-waiver","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533092-e7e3f0de81b7674c0719a7d2beb3548e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771112354&Signature=Qu8JTvryNioc28JnHrW4LqE71oaZj7oXFAr8ai3Zzzsih9Eku~507CVR6XHDRQZz6LDXq5xARO~X1l2Zi883qKR~kqweL-CSJfEH-RSzQdJG31UPND5-PbKzqsMjfITxEf5YVZgUO1a2HVtSX4KoUiAjxySJBxlwYo18C-VzFOg3wSAZF-SiatyhCm3KfoXmYKIHZH9wyuNaQK1pCZlddoot3T3LDphElabq3BquL4SVDrZP8pYu3j3J9uVwfuQBq6dvZLDnw8EXemf6KhQaFjHa-56cpo3xJ7WR3afUAImcgF4KCtEzHl5PzkZg~~UH1wlQA~nvqMhGF18EcPyL2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Rock School District Board of Directors approved multiple items during its May 15 meeting, including a consent agenda of contracts and supports, employment recommendations for the 2025–26 school year, memoranda of understanding for school-based health services, acceptance of the April 2025 financial report and a personnel background-check waiver.

Key votes and outcomes

- Consent agenda approved: The board approved a multi-item consent package that included K–12 ELA and STEM supplemental supports, the 2025–26 City Year memorandum of understanding, a River Mountain Eye Care MOA, a Medicaid billing specialist MOU, community service learning approvals, donations and personnel changes. A board member requested clarification about a Lexia contract that listed schools being closed; staff said the cost is tied to student counts rather than building names and that specific school listings will be corrected.

- Employment recommendations, Round 4 approved: The board approved the 2025–26 employment recommendations presented as “Round 4.” The motion to approve round 4 was moved from the floor and passed by voice vote.

- School-based health partnerships: The board approved an MOU to establish a Future Smiles dental clinic to operate in district facilities and an MOU with Arkansas Children’s Hospital to provide primary-care services in school-based settings. Board member Michael Adams recused himself from those votes because of an employment relationship; the board proceeded with approval by voice vote.

- Financial report accepted: The board accepted the April 2025 financial report. The district finance director highlighted near-term tax receipts and noted capital-improvement fund drawdowns tied to ongoing construction projects. The director said the district will review district debt-service projections and recommended a multi-year financial plan during the summer.

- Background-check waiver granted: The board granted a waiver for a classified applicant, David Rollins, after staff reported he fully disclosed the prior conviction (from 1988), provided supporting documents and the Arkansas Department of Education licensure attorney had recommended waiver consideration given the circumstances. The administration recommended granting the waiver and the board approved it.

Why it matters: Together these votes advance hiring and student services for the coming school year and permit the district to finalize multiple partnership agreements that bring medical and dental services into schools. The financial acceptance signals readiness to proceed with planned capital projects but also prompted requests for further debt-service and budget planning.","At its May 15 meeting the Little Rock School District board approved a multi-item consent agenda, employment recommendations for 2025–26 (round 4), two school-based health MOUs, accepted the April financial report and granted a background-check waiver to an applicant.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":42,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6533095,"Board names Roberts Elementary media center for late teacher and assistant principal Misty Sims",4437,5079,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3798231-5ebf92e8d1121d6eb70369d2c09ec1ac&start=4&end=5","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3798231-5ebf92e8d1121d6eb70369d2c09ec1ac/thumbnail_4437.jpg","/articles/6533095/Arkansas/Board-names-Roberts-Elementary-media-center-for-late-teacher-and-assistant-principal-Misty-Sims","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533095-8042c314b59ce1fa72c0ecea5f2361a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771112354&Signature=OoyGPagMSOoaG1Ru2Dp9ubcjJ61-gsmjrR0BgCGK8zYrKepRVjqzCfPLPREJwcxkyWyOmPsUdoJcKOY0MaDjZWfGCmiwpj04lFigDSNn51nxLL2nvdQSXxZQ0EABzjwbkBSC6GSSxe8XTSkpKbdkRSti4olplDyaF-6GPoRiRAvMWYcSbnm1-NtC836ae869a-E9Fdi9H2wz4mdSfggTQi9Mgddqa8UZ6ViHRPvNkPlssJGJPsbiT1a64qAwss0gOr~UPvvEHDwEiRR13cZX7SSr-8it0Q9z0A2uXSjISjXBPtpds2rHED7zgm1KxdKretzVmcWkppbd0fRjIKx~Cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Rock School District Board of Directors voted on May 15 to name the Roberts Elementary media center the “Misty Sims Memorial Library” to honor the school’s late reading teacher and former assistant principal.

Principal Steven Helmick, speaking for Roberts Elementary, told the board of Sims’s long service to the school and the district and described her decision to step down from a leadership role to return to classroom reading instruction. Helmick said, “It would be an honor to celebrate her legacy for decades to come in a space that she helped cultivate and build.” He and other school representatives described Sims as a longtime teacher, assistant principal and reading instructor who helped hundreds of students.

Board member Miss Westlake made the motion to approve the naming; members moved, seconded and approved the measure by voice vote. Several directors spoke in support and noted personal connections to Sims and her family during the brief discussion.

Why it matters: The naming recognizes a staff member who served both in school leadership and classroom roles and who colleagues said chose to return to direct instruction out of a passion for student literacy.

Implementation: The district will place a commemorative plaque at the media center and coordinate a dedication with Sims’s family and Roberts staff. The board’s action was recorded in the meeting minutes and will be executed by the district’s facilities and communications teams.","The Little Rock school board voted to name the Roberts Elementary media center the Misty Sims Memorial Library, honoring a longtime staff member who served as assistant principal and later as a reading teacher at the school.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":42,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6533100,"Central parents say new multimillion-dollar fieldhouse lacks weight equipment and transportation for athletes",1866,2261,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3798231-5ebf92e8d1121d6eb70369d2c09ec1ac&start=1&end=2","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3798231-5ebf92e8d1121d6eb70369d2c09ec1ac/thumbnail_1866.jpg","/articles/6533100/Arkansas/Central-parents-say-new-multimillion-dollar-fieldhouse-lacks-weight-equipment-and-transportation-for-athletes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533100-165b96e3c35a3d4bddbbfa926c857859/orig.mp4?Expires=1771112354&Signature=g-7kqFw1zkGga9pVipF6TkKY2ZUbFSeIpMwuQGBn0MyMonMeZjQxqSsaPLtW1xBojyxhF478xOqfGgCxcvqYXiUdoCdQGDmHf34rSLQig9Km~Lei5QPxqYF6lk9~HshKV98CxoT0rfDaBUBcPZUtpn3bDuWpmxX34FzrQHPP~PK64C3dDiiLazOlwSmsuVbtmCIMcLv9F22vwkiRLsd1YWpsw21YvvAuhn~MNKiz4korOLauplak73Mj~IBVCmk-AfYLrgW9cqTMamtidPqzk6dsjMSrWTvP1mOQZvPB4yMQdHyA5WyPiI8sSJzIjN93ln35VVSfe1p91-QNvfe6VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Central High School parents urged the Little Rock School District Board on May 15 to provide weight-room equipment and reliable transportation for student athletes using the district’s newly completed fieldhouse.

Misty Outlaw, who identified herself as a Central alum and parent, told the board: “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 the lack of equipment and lingering use of an older basement facility had created health and safety concerns, including past sanitation problems there.

Courtney Emerson, booster-club president and parent, said the booster organization and coaches had been forced to provide water, snacks and other support while encountering “brick walls” when they requested help. “I am begging at this point. Leave the lights on. Let these kids do what they're doing,” Emerson said, urging the district not to disconnect utilities or otherwise cut access while solutions are worked out.

Why it matters: Parents said the problem affects nearly every sport — football, basketball, wrestling and swimming — and estimated the school has nearly 500 athletes who need the facility. Parents warned that losing summer access or turning off utilities could interrupt training and harm retention of student athletes.

Board response and follow-up: Superintendent Wright and district staff acknowledged the concerns and said staff would investigate procurement and fundraising records for equipment and check on transportation arrangements. Multiple board members urged staff to report back with a timeline and explanation of responsibilities — including whether booster funds or activity accounts had been used and whether remaining orders had been placed.","Parents of Central High School athletes urged the Little Rock school board to fund weight equipment and transportation after the team completed a new fieldhouse without accessible training equipment; parents said about 500 students are affected.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6533105,"Little Rock board sets future terms at four years and reduces membership to seven after debate over Act 503",1,6912,8059,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3798231-5ebf92e8d1121d6eb70369d2c09ec1ac&start=6&end=8","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3798231-5ebf92e8d1121d6eb70369d2c09ec1ac/thumbnail_6912.jpg","/articles/6533105/Arkansas/Little-Rock-board-sets-future-terms-at-four-years-and-reduces-membership-to-seven-after-debate-over-Act-503","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533105-d3ad506bcaf5f744bc5c9225ef03595c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771112354&Signature=Smg1iFZ9erNt7Sc628MFoupO1y2JkwOjIZJnVKzYrOqcSvOVsw0kE1QUgedOgCbl1b~amoqLfBKokLVBbRAfFvOkHlvoe38gla5q-bbMPBBoT2RhWQP8pQQtpflBhTaHwRm3ASS2Rphr1RrkoK1SDRJ5qi9Aa0uYuwM~dtXGuHtAEFkPa24pXn8OoguRtml6x2dBesTwP0xT-zjggu6FFeS73xvNi7pMQFAey-u9JWGcM9D4sn8vzYlNs0eBJrnWrzWCdfcEXkStL2tBZeyKqeCgfTebuQgegE8xG9jxzkoPEdaFQlugWy7jHaGbSRbe2iLtrA074UyZq6aZ5fmXNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Rock School District Board of Directors voted on May 15 to set future elected board terms at four years and to reduce the board to seven members, a change prompted by state legislation commonly referred to in the meeting as Act 503 of 2025.

Board member Miss Rizzap moved the board to adopt four-year terms for future elected directors; the motion was seconded and carried after debate and a voice vote. Director Adam, who spoke in favor of the shorter option, said, “I think among the imperfect choices that we have, 4 or 6, to me, I think that that 4 is better.” Director Adam argued that four-year terms will help recruitment and avoid discouraging potential candidates.

The discussion was sharpest over how many seats to keep. Supporters of a seven-member board said a smaller body could be more efficient; opponents warned of the risk that reconfiguration could force multiple sitting directors to compete for re-election and that the change might encourage electoral or demographic shifts. Miss Talaway said she opposed the measure on broader grounds, calling Act 503 “prejudicial” and saying she would not vote for what she described as measures that could “resegregate” the district. The motion to reduce the board to seven members also passed by voice vote after discussion.

Why it matters: The change follows the board’s reading of Act 503; the law requires districts that fall below a statutory enrollment threshold to reconfigure their boards. Board members debated trade-offs between governance continuity, recruitment of candidates and the risk that a large-scale turnover could affect institutional knowledge. Several members asked that legal counsel and demographers be engaged to map proposed districts and to advise about the effect of the 2030 census on future membership thresholds.

How the board decided: The board’s votes were taken by voice. During debate, several members asked staff and the district’s attorney to prepare details about mapping and about whether the board can revisit the decision if the district’s enrolled population rises above the statutory threshold in future years.

What’s next: Board members asked the administration and legal counsel to prepare follow-up analysis, including draft redistricting specifications and options that could be produced quickly so the board can evaluate concrete map proposals before finalizing the March 2026 configuration. Director Bali asked for assurance that the board could revisit the decision if state population figures change.

Context: Board members repeatedly noted the tight calendar: with reconfiguration effective March 2026, work on draft maps and public outreach will have to proceed quickly. Multiple directors emphasized they will seek legal and demographic advice about the effect of the 2030 census on any future adjustments.","After hours of discussion about turnover, representation and legal risk from state law, the Little Rock School District board voted to set future elected board terms at four years and to reduce its size to seven members, effective after a March 2026 reconfiguration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board grants background-check waiver to applicant David Rollins after administration recommends approval

Votes at a glance: Little Rock School District approves consent agenda, hires, MOUs, finance report and background-check waiver

Board names Roberts Elementary media center for late teacher and assistant principal Misty Sims

Central parents say new multimillion-dollar fieldhouse lacks weight equipment and transportation for athletes

Little Rock board sets future terms at four years and reduces membership to seven after debate over Act 503