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Board reconsiders and approves vendor to draw seven new LRSD board zones after dispute over process
Summary
After an initial failed vote and a recess, the board reconsidered and approved CityGate GIS LLC to draw seven new board zones required by state law. Several board members raised concerns about transparency, timeline and community input.
The Little Rock School District Board of Education on June 26 approved a vendor agreement with CityGate GIS LLC to draw seven new board zones after a contentious discussion that included a failed first vote, a brief recess and a successful motion to reconsider.
The redistricting work was prompted by a new state requirement to move from nine to seven trustee zones. Procurement staff issued a request for proposals; three vendors responded and CityGate GIS LLC was the recommended vendor. Several board members said the state GIS office had recommended the shortlisted firms and that turnaround time required rapid procurement.
Board debate focused on process and public engagement. Director Strong, Director Adams and others criticized the pace and said board members and the public had not been given sufficient opportunity for review; some members said two otherwise-qualified companies had been unavailable for the district's timeline. Supporters said the district must meet statutory timelines to allow candidates to qualify for upcoming elections and that failing to select a vendor promptly risked leaving the district without a functional board.
After an initial voice vote failed, the board took a recess and legal counsel explained procedural rules for a motion to reconsider. A board member who had voted with the prevailing side then moved to reconsider; the motion passed and the board later approved the CityGate GIS recommendation. Recorded counts in the transcript show several members opposed and multiple abstentions during the initial sequence; the final approval passed by majority vote.
Directors asked staff to ensure community input: presenters said CityGate's proposal includes options for public engagement and that the vendor had previously worked with the state GIS office. Board members requested a clear timeline, outreach plan and copies of vendor agreements before implementation.
The procurement decision is time-sensitive because the state-directed schedule for moving to seven zones impacts election filing deadlines. Board members who opposed the motion said they supported redistricting in principle but objected to the rushed procurement and asked for more transparency and a public schedule for community hearings.
