Little Rock schools plan $15 million in cuts; board approves framework, hires director for new culture-and-well‑being unit

The Little Rock School District presented a plan to reduce about $15 million from next year’s operating budget as part of early FY2026 planning, and the school board on Thursday approved a budget reduction framework and the district’s major and secondary budget priorities while voting to hire two administrators for new and reworked offices.

Superintendent Dr. Jamal Wright told the board the district must “shave off at least $15,000,000 in expenditures for us to be able to operate, in the black for the upcoming school year,” citing multi‑year enrollment declines and lower state foundation aid tied to that drop. Dr. Wright said staff and board work that began last fall has produced a framework of spending reductions, program changes and a small number of targeted new positions designed to prioritize student supports and keep classrooms staffed where possible.

Why it matters

The district’s finances are driven by enrollment and local property tax revenue; Dr. Wright and finance director Mr. Bailey described falling Average Daily Membership and a projected reduction in state foundation aid that together create the shortfall the district must address ahead of the 2025–26 school year. The plan blends district‑office reductions, program cuts, changes to after‑school/athletic transportation and shared staffing adjustments at schools, and it also proposes a new department focused on student behavior, social‑emotional services and attendance.

What the board approved and voted on

- Budget framework and priorities: After discussion, the board voted to approve a budget reduction framework summary and a separate motion to adopt the district’s major and secondary budget priorities. A later motion to adopt the framework included a caveat that the board will review monthly enrollment projections and actual school‑level enrollment between now and the start of FY2026. The superintendent and CFO said the framework as presented closes roughly $13.9 million of the target and that additional savings (for example from special‑education para staffing and review of extra‑duty pay) are expected to reach the full $15 million goal.

- Financial reports: The board approved the February 2025 and March 2025 financial reports. Mr. Bailey said operating and capital fund balances were down from earlier in the year, that capital projects (including Pinnacle View High School and other work) are heavily encumbered and that federal funds are largely reimbursement‑based and timing‑sensitive.

- Personnel corrections and hires: The board rescinded a prior vote on round‑3 employment recommendations and then took a corrected vote to approve rounds 5.2/5.3 personnel recommendations after staff identified three names that had been added in error (a secretary and two hearing officers). The board later approved two administrative appointments following executive session: Dwayne Clayton was approved as principal on special assignment and Crystal Green Braswell was approved as director of the new culture, climate and well‑being department.

- Step/compensation request for selected administrators: The superintendent asked the board to approve single‑step increases for four senior staff who would take on additional responsibilities under the reorganization. After extended discussion the board voted and the request failed to receive the necessary support.

- Grievance resolution: The board adopted a non‑binding resolution clarifying the kinds of nonrenewal‑related grievances it will consider (for example, those alleging illegal discrimination or a documented procedural failure in the hiring/renewal process). Board members said the resolution is intended as interim guidance while the board’s policy committee completes a formal grievance‑policy revision.

Key details from the presentation

- The projected shortfall: Superintendent Wright and finance staff described an estimated structural reduction in revenue and enrollment that contributes to a roughly $15.4 million gap. Mr. Bailey said the district’s operating fund balance was roughly $39.5 million in February and that capital reserves had dropped to about $48.3 million; by March operating reserves had fallen further and the capital fund balance was presented at about $41 million on the March report.

- Areas of concentrated spending pressure: Facilities and construction encumbrances for projects such as Pinnacle View contributed to negative committed balances in the capital fund. The district’s interest income had outperformed budget, but payroll and encumbrances are the largest near‑term cash demands.

- Staffing approach and priorities: Because personnel comprises roughly 70–75% of the district budget, the administration presented a set of priorities that it said would be protected where possible: reduced class sizes at priority schools, reading intervention staff, strengthened behavior/mental‑health services, and adherence to newly re‑applied staffing formulas. The presentation included a proposed Department of Culture, Climate and Well‑being to pull behavioral support, MTSS (multi‑tiered system of supports), social‑work supervision and truancy/casework into a single unit. The superintendent described the proposed director position for that unit, lead MTSS roles, an expanded social‑work coordinator role, and reassignments of existing staff.

- Program and operational cuts: The framework includes reductions to non‑traditional programs, some outside contracts and a reduction in the number of City Year teams serving middle schools, changes to how athletic/after‑school transportation is scheduled, and a proposed 5% reduction in operating budgets across departments if needed. District staff said some program eliminations reflect changes in state grant priorities (for example, changes to Carl Perkins funding statewide) and the district will keep selected career and technical programs funded locally where feasible.

Discussion and dissent

Board members debated tradeoffs at length. Several members urged extra focus on keeping teachers and campus staffing stable and on protecting school‑level services that influence families’ enrollment decisions. Others said the framework represented a practical approach to an unavoidable structural problem and supported the limited, targeted new positions intended to reduce behavior disruptions and improve student supports.

The request to add a single step for four executive staff generated the most contentious debate. Critics said it was morally difficult to approve additional executive compensation while the district is asking staff to absorb additional duties and while school‑level positions and programs are being reduced; supporters said the increases were modest, tied to specific added responsibilities, and necessary retention steps for leaders who will implement the changes.

What’s next / follow‑up

- The board asked for monthly enrollment updates between now and the start of FY2026 and said staffing will be adjusted if actual fall enrollment differs materially from current projections. - The administration said it will bring a formal grievance‑policy revision to the board’s June work session that incorporates legal guidance and the board’s recent discussion. - The district will continue budget work to identify additional savings (for example, a review of special‑education 1:1 para practices and staff extra‑duty pay), and expects to present a formal FY2026 budget later in the summer.

Quotes

"It is just simply unavoidable for us to, continue operating without taking, some drastic steps to get us, in the black," Superintendent Dr. Jamal Wright said as he outlined the need for reductions.

"We need to shave off at least $15,000,000 in expenditures for us to be able to operate, in the black for the upcoming school year," Wright said.

On the new behavior and wellness department, the superintendent said the district lacks a single, district‑level team to coordinate mental‑health partnerships, truancy, MTSS and social‑work supervision.

Board member Director Adams said he supported the focus on student behavior and mental‑health services: "I really appreciate the part about student behavior, wellness, belonging to mental health," he said.

Ending

The board approved the financial reports, adopted the budget priorities and framework summary (with a requirement to review monthly enrollment data), rescinded and re‑adopted the corrected round‑3 personnel list, approved two senior hires to implement parts of the reorganization, and declined the administration’s requested step increases for selected administrators. The administration said it will return with policy language and further budget detail in coming board meetings.

(For the record: this article summarizes motions and votes recorded on the Little Rock School District board agenda as reflected in the meeting transcript.)