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Parents and players press Little Rock School District to fix Central High softball field, cite Title IX disparity
Summary
Central High parents, players and coaches told the board the girls' softball program lacks an on-campus field, forcing families to maintain a borrowed city field and raising Title IX fairness concerns; district staff said a fuller report will come to the April 23 board meeting.
Central High parents and student-athletes urged the Little Rock School District board to address what they called a disparity between the boys' on-campus baseball facilities and the girls' softball program, which currently practices and plays at a city-owned field that parents say is unsafe and poorly maintained.
"Our field is garbage," said Ayana Prince, a 17-year-old junior on the Central softball team, who told the board players have nearly tripped on uneven turf, cleared grass and hauled dirt to fill holes. Parent speakers described picking grass off the field and carrying bases and lines to make the site usable for games.
Parent and coach Ashley East said Central's girls lack lockers and the convenience of a home field, while the boys' baseball team has a new on-site facility. "As a former athlete, I know how important proper facilities are," East said, asking the board to rectify the disparity as a Title IX matter.
Laura Webb, another parent, said she had met previously with district finance and athletics staff and was told Central was "landlocked," but she questioned why a girls' field was not included when the baseball field was built and said city arrangements left the team without access until March, after the season opens in February.
District staff attorney David Cazay told the board he has reached out to outside counsel and other district stakeholders, described the remarks from parents as "preliminary information," and said the administration will provide a fuller report at the April 23 board meeting. Cazay offered to meet with parents before that date to gather additional details and ensure their concerns are reflected in any staff recommendation.
The board did not take immediate action at the meeting but moved the Central High discussion earlier in the agenda so families in attendance could hear the district response. Cazay said staff's next steps are (1) to assemble facts about facilities and access, (2) review legal obligations including Title IX, and (3) develop alternatives for the board to consider at the upcoming meeting.
The superintendent and staff indicated they have begun internal meetings and outreach to outside counsel; the district's April 23 packet is expected to include a more detailed timeline, options under consideration and any proposed next steps.
The board did not vote on a resolution or commit to a specific timeline for construction or lease changes at the April 9 special meeting. Parents continue to press for a solution that gives the girls better on-campus access and parity with the boys' program.
