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Board approves STARBASE partnership with Little Rock Air Force Base to host STEM program
Summary
Board approved a district‑led partnership with STARBASE (Little Rock Air Force Base) to host a federally supported STEM program for fifth graders, with the district to handle facilities and program logistics and the base to reimburse approved costs.
The Jacksonville North Pulaski School District board unanimously approved moving forward with discussions and planning to host a STARBASE STEM program in partnership with the Little Rock Air Force Base.
Dr. Walker presented a memorandum outlining STARBASE’s mission—hands‑on STEM learning to spark interest in science and technical careers—and the proposed district‑led model in which the district would host the program and the Little Rock Air Force Base would reimburse validated expenses under Department of Defense procedures. Arthur Brown, deputy director of business operations with the 19th Contracting Squadron at Little Rock AFB, accompanied the presentation and said the airlift wing commander had approved the proposal and awaited the district’s affirmative response.
Under the model presented, STARBASE would initially occupy one classroom (the site has space for three), and the staffing plan includes a program director, instructor (a teacher), and office manager. Participating schools would be responsible for their own bus transportation and housing if students remain on site. The district would begin with internal staff for initial planning rather than immediately creating new positions.
Dr. Walker said the district visited a STARBASE site in Louisiana to study operations under a district‑led model. The presentation identified a target timeline to inventory facilities and equipment, execute a memorandum of agreement with the base, appoint a director and proceed toward an August opening, contingent on funding and logistics. The board voted to proceed with planning and authorized district staff to continue negotiations and return with implementation details; the motion carried unanimously.
The board’s action does not yet commit district funds for construction or staffing beyond standard planning; future budget and personnel items would return to the board for approval.
