Little Rock School Board spares longtime security captain from firing after hearing on student restraints

The Little Rock School District Board on Feb. 12, 2025 voted 3–2 to modify a superintendent recommendation to terminate Captain Donald (Don) Allen, issuing a written reprimand and requiring trauma‑informed training instead. The action followed a public personnel hearing that examined two security‑related incidents at Hamilton Learning Academy dated Sept. 19, 2024, and Oct. 2, 2024, and testimony about whether district staff properly preserved and reported video evidence.

The hearing centered on the superintendent’s recommendation that Allen be fired for failing to notify appropriate officials about a Sept. 19 incident, for refusing to cooperate with investigations that followed, and for actions the district called “serious misconduct.” District witnesses and staff said video of the two incidents showed a security officer using force that merited investigation; witnesses also testified about confusion over who in safety and security and human resources was responsible for reporting and investigating. Kelsey Bailey, the district’s chief deputy finance and operations officer, summarized the administration’s concern, saying the district had “to protect our students” and that the chain of events left students exposed.

Captain Donald Allen, who has worked in LRSD safety and security for more than three decades, disputed parts of the district’s account in sworn testimony. Allen said he provided…