Little Rock board authorizes Hall High conversion-charter application amid parent concerns

The Little Rock School District Board of Education voted Nov. 20 to authorize district staff to submit an application to convert Hall High School to a district-run conversion charter for the 2026–27 school year.

The motion, made by a board member and seconded, cleared the board after a brief discussion clarifying that a district conversion charter would remain governed by the board and that the word “charter” would not be added to the school’s name. Two members voted against the authorization and their opposition was recorded during the vote.

Why it matters: supporters said conversion can preserve the campus and allow alternative program structures; opponents and several parents urged more and earlier family outreach, questioned enrollment projections and warned that insufficient engagement could cause students to leave. Parent speakers at the meeting said notices and meetings have sometimes come too close to decisions and that marketing and targeted outreach to eighth- and ninth-grade families should be part of any conversion plan.

What the board discussed: superintendent and board members emphasized that the conversion remains a district school under the board’s authority and that implementation details — including how to attract and retain students — will be part of the district’s planning. A parent who attended an earlier meeting said students told her they felt their voices didn’t matter and urged the board to strengthen communication and volunteer recruitment to support the campus post-conversion.

Next steps: district staff will proceed with the application process for the 2026–27 school year. The board did not adopt an enrollment or marketing plan during the Nov. 20 meeting; members and parents requested more information and offered to assist with outreach and promotion. The motion carried and the board moved on to other agenda items.