LRSD board approves special election call, updated phone policy and 5% superintendent raise

The Little Rock School District board of education voted on several formal items during its Aug. 14 meeting, approving a special‑election resolution to present a tax question to voters, adopting an updated personal‑electronic‑device policy for students and approving a contract amendment that raises the superintendent’s salary by 5 percent.

Special election, Nov. 18, 2025

The board approved a resolution calling a special election to be held Nov. 18, 2025, to present a unified tax rate for the proposed 2026 budget. The resolution was revised after the Pulaski County Election Commission requested specific language clarifying that the board was calling a special election; the board approved the clarified resolution. Administration stated the change did not alter the substantive proposal previously discussed. The board did not adopt a detailed tax rate in this meeting; the resolution calls the election to allow voters to consider the tax question.

Updated student cellphone policy (effective Aug. 15, 2025)

The board approved an updated LRSD policy governing students’ personal electronic devices, with the updated policy to take effect Aug. 15, 2025. Administrators said the policy is grounded in state law; district staff noted schools had been enforcing portions of the policy since the start of school but that parents and students will need formal notice and an addendum so that consequences are enforceable under the policy once the board‑approved version is in effect.

Superintendent contract and raise

The board approved a contract update that increases Superintendent Dr. Wright’s annual salary by 5 percent, to $271,776.96. The motion to approve the contract was made following an executive session in which the board discussed the superintendent’s evaluation and proposed contract changes. The motion carried; at least one director stated a recorded “no” vote during the discussion while others cited the superintendent’s progress and contract obligations in support of the raise. The board described the action as a contractual adjustment tied to the evaluation period; the motion did not include other material contract changes in the public motion language.

Consent agenda and other routine approvals

The board also approved a consent agenda that included personnel changes and routine items. No additional details on individual consent entries were discussed in open session.

Votes and procedure

Votes on these items were recorded by voice; the meeting transcript records that the motions carried for each item. The board discussed the need to notify parents of the cellphone policy change and to ensure any required acknowledgements or addenda are distributed promptly so that schools can apply consequences under the enacted policy.

Next steps and follow‑up

Administration will coordinate procurement and legal steps tied to the special election resolution and will produce materials for voter consideration as required by election law. Administration also said it would circulate the updated cellphone policy to families and provide instructions on collecting parent acknowledgements. The superintendent’s contract and salary change take effect per the terms discussed in executive session.