Gary Newton: October 2011

Free to Choose? Eh, Not So Much: Notes from Little Rock School Choice Forum

Goals

1) In every action, be mission-focused on the world-class education of all students.

2) Implement the strategic plan.

3) Reform central administration to make most effective and efficient use of taxpayers' investment.

4) Empower principals to run their schools, then hold them accountable for performance and achievement.

5) Reward, retain and recruit exceptional teachers and immediately remove ineffective ones.

6) Close, consolidate and construct schools and facilities to equitably serve the population.

7) Offer, support and celebrate competitive extra-curricular activities and achievement in the arts, athletics, communications, governance, professional development and public service.

8) Communicate clearly, consistently and completely with the public regarding the district's successes, opportunities and deficiencies.

9) Compete for students within and without the district without litigating.

10) Follow the 'STEPS FOR CURRENTLY ZONED SCHOOL DISTRICTS,' as issued in the February 8, 2011 memorandum from the Arkansas School Board Association (ASBA) and developed from talks with the Governor's office, Attorney General's office, Secretary of State's office, Arkansas Association (AAEA), and the Arkansas Department of Education and hold new elections for all board members in 2012.

11) Change school board elections from September to the General Election to assure maximum citizen participation.

12) In accordance with A.C.A. 6-13-631, in compliance with the Voting Rights Act, give the people, not the incumbent school board, the power by election to determine how they will be represented: 1) five zones, 2) seven zones or 3) five zones and two at-large.

Engage. Change. Succeed.

Little Rock School District Board Members

Zone 1 - Norma Johnson (norma.johnson@lrsd.org); Term Ends 2014
Won by 92 Votes (Out of 416 Cast)

Zone 2 - Michael Nellums (Vice President) (michaelnellums@yahoo.com); Term Ends 2013
Won by 102 Votes (Out of 644 Cast)

Zone 3 - Melanie Fox (melaniefox@windstream.net); Term Ends 2012

Zone 4 - Greg Adams (gregadams.lrschoolboard@yahoo.com); Term Ends 2013
Won Unopposed by 57 Votes (Out of 57 Cast)

Zone 5 - Jody Carreiro (President) (jbcarreiro@sbcglobal.net) Term Ends 2014
Won Unopposed

Zone 6 - Charles Armstrong (Secretary) (charles.armstrong@lrsd.org); Term Ends 2012

Zone 7 - Dianne Curry (currydianne0405@yahoo.com); Term Ends 2012

Little Rock School Board Zones

Little Rock School Board Public Meeting Schedule
(Agenda Meetings - 5:00 pm, Regular Meetings - 5:30 pm)

Strategic Plan

FY 2012 Budget Summary

FY 2012 Budget Detailed

Employee Contracts

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Free to Choose? Eh, Not So Much: Notes from Little Rock School Choice Forum