Failing the Smell Test

With all the hand-wringing over the federal court ending most desegregation funding, the Little Rock School District continues to lose funds all by itself. Consider:

1. The combined transportation budgets of the Little Rock, North Little Rock and Pulaski County Special School Districts exceed that of Central Arkansas Transit (CAT), and yet no one is leading the charge for an inter-local agreement to save taxpayers' investment by creating a more efficient, county-wide system. Think of that the next time you see a Pulaski County Special School District bus traversing the Little Rock School District to reach its doughnut-shaped district.
2. The District, which receives the bulk of its funding on a per pupil basis, loses the largest percentage of its students during the transition from elementary to middle school. And yet, there is no middle school (nor plans for a middle school) in Little Rock's fastest growing Zone 4. There is also no school in Zones 5 (growing) or 6 (flat). Zones 1 and 2, which are losing population, have two and one, respectively, while Zone 7 (growing) and Zone 3 (flat) have two each.
3. Even though over $1 million in dues is collected from Little Rock Education Association (LREA) members each year, the Little Rock School District pays the salary of the LREA President to not be in the classroom. Further, through payroll deduction, the District assumes all costs for teachers union dues collection. It also paid a search firm to not find a superintendent, but that's another story.
4. The District spends over $350 million a year to produce over 10,000 students (40%) who are not proficient in math, literacy and/or science. That equates to around $14,000 per student. With that kind of money, we could cut out the middlemen, sell all assets, and hire $100,000 per year super teachers (salary plus benefits) to guide teams of ten students each from Pre-K to graduation.

Anyone who exerts influence over the Little Rock School District should be asked, "Is the District better off today than when you started?" If the answer is "no," they should be removed - if not by themselves, by the public. What we're doing is not working. Treating the symptoms won't cut it. The patient is dying. It's time for drastic measures.

God Speed, Dr. Holmes

As you put students first, implement the strategic plan, and stand courageously against adult agendas - at all levels - which get in the way of the first two.