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North Little Rock board removes varsity dance coach after hearings over supervision and procurement
Summary
After testimony from administrators, an independent investigator and the coach, the board voted to accept the superintendent’s recommendation to terminate Allison Walker’s role as varsity dance coach, citing repeated discipline, disputed reports of extended absences during a summer camp and procurement lapses around a choreographer’s pay.
The North Little Rock School District board voted on Feb. 18 to accept the superintendent’s recommendation to terminate the varsity dance coach position held by Allison Walker following two linked lines of administrative concern: supervision at a summer dance camp and procurement of a choreographer without pre‑approved purchase orders.
Assistant athletic director Caroline Faulner described a pattern of progressive discipline dating to March 2025—letters of concern and written warnings—on issues ranging from dance routines the administration judged inappropriate to compliance with dress and attendance expectations. "If a student has to come in for safety they should be allowed to come in for safety," Faulner said describing the administration’s view of a Sept. 12 stadium incident in which Walker initially allowed only dance and cheer members into a cafeteria shelter.
An independent investigator, Jeffrey Plunkett, told the board he interviewed multiple dancers and parents and compiled a multi‑volume report. He said several dancers told him Walker was "not present with the team for a significant part of the time" at a June 2025 camp at Grambling University and that a choreographer, Willie Miller, performed work the district ultimately paid for before purchase‑order procedures had been completed. "I found strong support that she was not present with the team for a significant part of the time," Plunkett testified.
Walker disputed those conclusions, saying parents signed waivers for the NDA (camp) staff to proctor dancers and that she attended coaches’ professional development sessions at the camp while NDA staff and the assistant coach provided supervision. "No, sir," Walker said when asked whether she had left students unattended; she added she had also sought training and that documentation and fundraising activity had been constrained after parents complained.
Chief of staff Scott Stanger explained the administration’s concerns about both supervision and procurement: because the choreographer’s work was carried out before funds were formally approved or raised, the district had to use operating funds to pay the invoice, which could create audit and compliance issues. He said that combination of supervision gaps and procurement noncompliance informed the recommendation.
The board debated statements from parents, students, administrators and the investigator before moving to accept the superintendent’s recommendation to terminate Walker’s varsity coaching role. The transcript shows the motion was seconded and the board adopted the recommendation.
What happens next: The personnel action removes Walker’s coaching assignment; according to the administration the decision does not terminate her classroom (computer science) employment but ends her role as varsity dance coach. The district said it will reconcile procurement and activity‑fund records as needed.
Note: The investigator’s report and exhibit packet were presented to the board; portions of the evidence (audio/video, invoices and internal emails) were discussed in testimony and remain the principal documentary sources cited by both sides.
