PCSSD board approves certified allocation changes after heated debate over learning-services cuts and ALE restructuring

Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) trustees voted 5–2 April 8 to approve proposed changes to certified staffing allocations that district leaders said are needed to shore up the district’s legal fund and reduce projected year-end shortfalls.

Supporters said the changes will reduce payroll costs while preserving core services; opponents warned the cuts will weaken instructional support and curriculum development. Board members Patrick Keller and [Name Ward] voted against the plan.

The board’s action freezes two existing director-level positions — listed in the agenda as director of STEM and director of humanities and learning services — and creates a single director of learning services position. District staff also described a change to the district’s Alternative Learning Environment (ALE) model: instead of concentrating ALE students at a separate Success Learning Academy site,…