Board approves proposed budget filing, several personnel and policy items

At its Nov. 20 meeting the Little Rock School District Board approved administrative and financial items including the district’s proposed budget package for the upcoming March election, consent-agenda items, personnel changes and several policy updates.

Key votes and approvals: the board adopted the proposed budget of expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027, including related election documents and leaving the millage rate unchanged at 46.4 mills. The board approved the consent agenda, then separately approved personnel recommendations (with one member opposing on process grounds). The board also approved a revised tuition-reimbursement program for certified staff and an updated stipend schedule for the 2025–26 school year. Finally, members voted to create a principal-in-residence position for 2026–27 (motion carried with one opposed); staff said funding will come from the general operating fund.

Financial context and concerns: finance staff reported October financials and a recent large deposit that improved fund balances, but cautioned the district faces revenue pressure from a roughly 600-student enrollment decline and added debt-service for recently issued bonds. Board members requested deeper operational budget detail ahead of a December work session and some called for an external review of procurement and hiring practices to better understand multi-year deficits.

Next steps: administration will publish required election/budget notices, refine budget projections and prepare deeper operational breakout information for the board’s December work session. The board accepted the financial report as presented.