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