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State schedules mandatory conference with Pocahontas School District after failed millage; board weighs election or self‑funding
Summary
After a failed millage, state law requires a facilities conference; the district's superintendent and representative will meet the state in Little Rock tomorrow to learn required fixes, with options including a special election or demonstrating self‑funding. The board tabled formal budget action pending that meeting.
Dr. Arbuckle, superintendent of the Pocahontas School District, told the board the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation issued the district a written notice after a millage failed and has scheduled a mandatory conference in Little Rock tomorrow morning to outline required facility improvements and next steps.
Why it matters: Under state statute the division must assess urgent maintenance, suitability for educational use and ADA compliance, then set expectations for remedying deficiencies. If the district fails to meet the division’s timeline — including a 90‑day window referenced by the superintendent — the district could be placed in facilities distress, which imposes state oversight of local facilities planning.
Dr. Arbuckle said the meeting will include the state’s assessment of the district’s high‑school building and a list of required actions. “Within 10 days of the failed millage, the division was to send us written notification setting a mandatory conference date,” he said, adding that the division will outline both the actions the district must take and the potential consequences if it does not.
Board members asked whether the state could force a special election and whether the district could retain partnership funds already approved. The board discussed two statutory paths: agreeing with the division on ballot items for a special election, or proving a financial ability to self‑fund necessary work so the state need not put items on a ballot.
“Those kind of conversations will be had with the division at our meeting,” Dr. Arbuckle said. He said the state is likely to identify ADA compliance issues and other items the district will have to address in the high school. The superintendent and a board representative will attend the Little Rock meeting and report back to the board.
Next steps: The board voted unanimously to table related budget and tax‑rate decisions until after the conference so the district can present the state’s requirements and better estimate costs and timelines.
The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow; the superintendent and the board’s designated representative will return with the division’s formal assessment and any recommended calendar for corrective action.
