With Apologies to the President and My 7th Grade English Teacher, Change We Can Learn In

Think the dysfunction of our public schools rests solely with the local school board? However poorly, board members are only playing the cards they are dealt by the legislature.

So, every legislator who complains about Little Rock has the power to do something about it.

In the last session, with the leadership of Representative Barry Hyde, we tried to 1) change the date of school elections to the primary; 2) empower the people, not incumbent school boards, to determine how they will be represented in zoned districts - five zones, seven zones, five zones and two at-large; and 3) provide for recall of school board members.

Nos. one and two were unanimously sent to interim study by the Education Committee, and No. 3 couldn't even get a hearing. By the way, it's the interim; where's the study?

If the legislature truly wants to provide excellent education for all students, it can pass and send to the governor for his signature these fifteen reforms:

1. Through individual portability of state per-pupil spending, empower total school choice (public, charter, private) among Pre K – 12 schools;
2.  Change date of school elections to general election;
3. After each census, a nonpartisan demographer shall redraw the zone map equalizing the populations, minimizing the splitting of neighborhoods and voting precincts, and using landmarks and census blocks to define zone boundaries;
4. Through local initiated act, people choose how they will be represented in zoned school districts – five zones, seven zones, five zones – two at-large;
5. Following redrawing of the zones, all board seats shall stand for election;
6. Directly elect school board presidents at-large, and in zoned districts, raise number of board positions to six, eight and six and two-at large, respectively;
7. Provide for recall of school board members;
8. If student is not grade-level proficient in math and literacy by the end of third grade, he/she will attend summer school. If still not proficient, will repeat grade;
9. Require everyone under 18 to be in school, graduate or receive GED; if over 18, require high school graduation or GED to receive public assistance;
10. Strengthen truancy officer/court system to ensure all eligible students are in school;
11. Like other economic development incentives, reform state-sponsored scholarships to performance-based – 50% at enrollment, 50% upon passing grades at semester;
12.  Graduating schools share with colleges and universities 50% of cost of first-year post secondary remediation;
13. Equalize opportunity to join or quit a public service union;
14.  Require public service unions to collect own dues; and
15. Prohibit school districts from paying salaries of employees not performing contracted services for district.

Or not. And not. And not.

Zone 4 Parent Demands Middle School Action from her School Board

The letter which follows is from Kellyann Thornton, Zone 4 parent, to Jody Carreiro (Zone 5), president of the Little Rock School Board. May she persist and prompt others like her to emerge and make their voices heard.

The nearest middle school to West Little Rock is EAST of University.

Zone 4 (Greg Adams), Zone 5 (Jody Carreiro), and Zone 6 (Charles Armstrong) have zero middle schools in their Zones. Nada. That's Spanish for "nothing," Ms. Curry.

Zone 3 (Melanie Fox) has two - less than two miles apart, Zone 1 (Norma Johnson) has two, and Zone 7 (Dianne Curry) has two.

Zone 2 (Michael Nellums) has one.

West Little Rock is not even asking for parity. It's simply asking the board to at least pretend it cares about the people west of I-430 by investing their tax dollars in building a middle school proximate to their neighborhoods instead of having their children bussed or driven eight miles via Cantrell or 11.5 miles via I-630 (from Don Roberts Elementary to Forrest Heights Middle).

The board moves zones to include its members' homes (see map below). One would think it, or at least Messrs. Adams and Carreiro, would move heaven and earth to keep Roberts and Fulbright parents like Kellyann Thornton in the district.

View New Little Rock School Board Zone Map
Note location of homes of board members, which obviously was a top priority. Also, note the disembodied portion of Zone 1, Little Rock's own version of the infamous "Fayetteville Finger." But in this case, it's more like a thumb in the eye of Hispanic voters, who had their neighborhoods divided into thirds, effectively diffusing any voting power. Or, will it actually serve to motivate the electorate to roll out support for a students-first candidate(s)?

Little Rock School District School Board

Mr. Jodi Carreiro, President

Via Email

June 4, 2012

Dear Mr. Carreiro,

The LRSD school budget is $350 million dollars, twice the budget of the City of Little Rock . There are budget planning meetings clearly stating part of the purpose is current and future facility needs; so, where is the line item for funds to buy land in the western side of the city?  Why, after years and years of Board meetings with members making motions, such as “..to direct and instruct the administration to begin the search for property for the construction of a middle school in West Little Rock ..” (that motion carried unanimously), do we still not have any movement in this direction years later?  You are well aware of this history, so I will not repeat the numerous citations to all these empty promises. Why does the Board continue to turn a blind eye towards the West?  Even Dr. Holmes, at a board meeting in February of 2011 during his “interim” time of service, noted that the board had agreed to look for land in the western part of the city for a middle school several years ago.

Apparently, the LRSD School Board continues to rely on the premise that they do not need to accommodate over 50,000 tax paying citizens (2010 Census) with any form of secondary schools in their neighborhoods or community.  This continues to be completely socially irresponsible. Some have surmised it is in the name of “diversity” at select magnet schools.  Punishing and stigmatizing what is perceived to be an “affluent white community” based on decades-old protest identity struggles is not poetic justice; it is just a different enabler of racism, an embodiment that wields the power to contaminate by mere association.  There is no progress in this, for any of our children.

As my own child enters the 5^th grade this August, it is clear to me that the LRSD and the LRSD School Board continue to ignore the children in the western sections of LRSD School Zone 4 and Zone 5, once they are ready to enter secondary education.  My child is a high achiever; participates in the Gifted and Talented program, is a DUKE TIP participant scoring in the 95^th percentile in the country in math and science, won his 4^th grade class science fair, and yet has no secondary school to attend in the section of Little Rock where we live.

We truly value a good public education.  We are actively involved not only in the education of our child at home, but in our school community as well.  I was recently awarded a LRSD ViPs award for my contributions at Don R. Roberts Elementary School .  As a parent volunteer, I have worked tirelessly to bring positive influences into the school.  I personally lead a philanthropic campaign benefiting the LR Zoo, which in turn brought an educational enrichment assembly for all our children to our campus.  I spearheaded a Red Cross Blood Drive on our campus for our parents to give back to our community, in turn the Red Cross provided an educational enrichment assembly to our upper grades.  I facilitated a fundraiser for our school activity fund by collaborating with a local restaurant for a “Parents Date Night”.  I have by myself organized and executed two events for teachers to participate in and enjoy as a show of my appreciation for what they do for our children, with a third event planned for this August.  I also volunteer in the classroom.  As a PTA Board member, I personally raised thousands of dollars for our PTA by going out into our local business community and encouraging business membership in our PTA .

So I must ask myself, are we not exactly who the LRSD want to retain, both a student and his family, within the district?  Why is this District indifferent to losing our child as a student?  Why is this District indifferent to losing parents who are committed and vital volunteers to the public schools?  By this time next year, we will be preparing to enter a private school located in our neighborhood.  My family will make great sacrifices, to the detriment of other aspects of our lives, to allow us to do this for our child.  We will be frustrated and bitter at the injustice that the neglect of this District forces us to pay twice – through high property taxes as well as private school tuition - to assure for our child a quality education in a safe school, located in our own community.  We are not alone in harboring these feelings, hundreds of other families in this area express this same sentiment.

So as I sit and read about your budget workshop, I can’t help feeling that this District never had any real intention to keep the promises, the motions, the amendments, etc., to build what is so terribly needed for the children who happen to live on this side of the 430 Freeway, no matter how much more in per-capita, per-student proportion we parents pay in taxes to support this District.  This District and this School Board are failing my child and all of the other children who reside in this section of Little Rock .  What do you, as President of the LRSD School Board, intend to do about this continued crises of students fleeing this District as they enter their secondary education, due to the lack of a secondary school in their neighborhood?

Sincerely,

Kellyann Thornton.

cc:  Dr. Morris Holmes, Superintendent, LRSD

      Dr. Daniel Whitehorn, Associate Superintendent of Secondary Education, LRSD

      Tom Kimbrill, Commissioner, Arkansas Department of Education

      The Honorable Allen Kerr, Arkansas State Legislator, District 32

      The Honorable Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education

Enough Already! Run for School Board

Three-sevenths of the Little Rock School Board - Zones 3, 6 and 7 - are up for election on September 18th. Considering that all Zones had to be redrawn based on the 2010 census, all seats should be up, but that's what you get for allowing your legislature to let incumbent school board members determine how you will be represented.

While Zone 3's incumbent, Melanie Fox, will not seek re-election, a highly promising candidate, Leslie Fisken, is running for the position.

Zone 6's incumbent Charles Armstrong is running for state representative. Because school elections are nonpartisan, and therefore aren't affected by Tuesday's primary, Mr. Armstrong has not said whether or not he will also seek re-election to the school board.

Zone 7's incumbent Dianne Curry has not said if she will seek re-election. Considering how she and board members Armstrong, Nellums and Johnson so blatantly attempted to disenfranchise our Hispanic citizens by dividing their neighborhoods among three zones, don't be surprised if one or more students-first Hispanic and/or Hispanic-friendly candidates emerge to challenge the gerrymanderers' artificial majority with purity of purpose and voter turnout.

The important thing to keep in mind is that no incumbent or announced candidate has any more right to the offices than anyone else. Board positions belong to the people. Candidates should run for the position, not against anyone.

With a $340 million annual budget, the Little Rock School District is the largest local government entity in Arkansas, almost doubling the City of Little Rock. And yet, its elections are unconscionably held on a date with no other elections (again, thanks Legislature) and decided by tens at the least and hundreds at the most.

I have yet to meet one person who is satisfied with the Little Rock School District. But still, incumbents regularly breeze to re-election without credible opposition - a challenger or challengers who force a legitimate debate on how to best educate our 25,000 students.

So every year, the people are given a chance to elect two or three leaders who will put students first. Nothing is more important to the future of our community than the delivery of excellent public education.

Please - if you truly will put students first ahead of self-interested adult agendas - Run People Run! Here's how (thanks to the Arkansas School Board Association):

• Visit the county clerk's office to get a packet of material about running for office.

• June 10th is the first day candidates may circulate a petition (available from the Secretary of State's Office). Candidates need 20 signatures of qualified registered voters from his/her district on petition.

• July 3rd is the first day a candidate may file a petition of candidacy (available from the Secretary of State's Office), the political practice pledge, and the affidavit of eligibility with the county clerk.

• July 10th at noon is the deadline for a candidate to file a petition of candidacy, the political practice pledge, and the affidavit of eligibility with the county clerk.

• The election is Tuesday, September 18th.

• If needed, runoff will be held three weeks later.

To run for school board, candidates must:

• be a qualified elector of the school district served whose name has been filed and certified by the county clerk of the county in which the school district is domiciled for administrative purposes;
• be a U.S. citizen;
• be an Arkansas resident;
• be a resident of the district and respective electoral zone if elected from zones;
• not be an employee of the district served;
• not claim the right to vote in another county or state;
• not presently be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction;
• never have been convicted of embezzlement of public money, bribery, forgery, or other infamous crime.

So stop being a critic, and get in the arena. Lives, families, and the present and future of your City desperately hunger for your students-first leadership.


Resources
www.arsba.org
www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections
www.votepulaski.net

Gerrymander Rigged

Last night, the Little Rock School Board got busy with one 4 - 3 vote, which:

1. gerrymandered to ensure majority African-American zones even though the district is only 44% black;
2. divided neighborhoods among three zones (1, 6 and 7) to deny Hispanics the opportunity for meaningful representation so zealously guarded by African-Americans; and
3. abandoned its responsibility to balance by population by creating zones as far apart as 2,252 citizens, a difference of 8.5%.

After months of border battles and with just 20 days until deadline, the board voted for the seventh version of a map, originally drawn by the nonpartisan regional planning authority - Metroplan, but bastardized by self-interested board members and their lawyers.

If the races were reversed, and minority whites were preserving majority zones, this would clearly constitute a voting rights issue. Let me rephrase: The issue is exists; but its advocates are frozen in silence.

In another outstanding report by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Cynthia Howell, Zone 7 Board Member Dianne Curry, whose term expires this year, claimed to have talked to Hispanic residents about the boundary-line revisions.

"They understand it was not based on looking at [ethnicity] at all, but strictly by the census numbers, and we didn't even know who was in a particular area."

Disingenuous or disengaged? Either way, disturbing.

According to Ms. Howell's article, Metroplan was asked late last year to draft election-zone plans using specific parameters:

1. equalizing the populations (fair);
2. minimizing changes from the current School Board election zones (self-serving);
3. minimizing the splitting of neighborhoods and voting precincts (fair);
4. using landmarks and census blocks to define zone boundaries (fair); and
5. if possible, avoiding the placement of two incumbent board members in the same election zone to avoid making any board member ineligible to run for re-election (self-serving)

No. 5 clearly took priority.

Charles Armstrong (Zone 6), whose term also expires this year, is also running for State Representative. But with the September school election coming after May's primary, he has not ruled out running for both. According to Ms. Howell, Mr. Armstrong said "Alternative 6 and 7 plans enabled him to keep within his zone some of the neighborhoods with which he is familiar." No. 2? Check.

"The only community that has asked the whole board, 'do not separate us, please,' is the one that we are separating," said Zone 4 Board Member Greg Adams, referring to the division of Hispanic neighborhoods. "What is the compelling reason that trumps that request?"

There is none. The irony is that it took a white man giving voice to Hispanics to challenge the unacceptable hold one race has on the board and district. What he didn't say was the black community knew they didn't have to ask, while the white community gave up its voice in the district years ago, either through apathy, fear of being called racist, or overcompensation for past wrongs.

Lest you think three of our seven board members to be altruistic champions of fairness, the vote was 7 - 0 to deny thousands of citizens the basic right to vote for their representative. Even though Arkansas Code Annotated 6-13-631 calls for the election of all board seats after zone boundaries are redrawn, Attorney Chris Heller advised board members that the district "shall be exempt" because it meets the requirements of the federal Voting Rights Act.

Somebody help me understand. To comply with the Voting Rights Act, zoned districts are required for all districts with minority populations ten percent and above. All districts' zones are required to be redrawn following the decennial census. The law states that all seats should be open for election after zone boundaries are redrawn. According to Mr. Heller's theory, are zoned districts which comply with the law and hold all new elections actually in violation of the law if the district meets the requirements of the federal Voting Rights Act?

What ever happened to doing what's right instead of hiding behind what's potentially exempt. I guess it depends on what the meaning of "shall" shall be.

Once again, the agendas of seven board members and their enabling attorney took priority over the rights of 178,391 citizens (as of 2010).

School Boards should govern public school districts as representatives of the people. They should not, however, tell the people how they will be represented. At the legislature, the people, not incumbent school boards, should should finally be empowered to determine zones and when their representatives "shall" stand for election.

And while we're at it, we have a Mayor, County Judge, Governor and President. It's time we had a directly elected School Board President to represent and be accountable to all the people in the governance of their public school districts.

Meanwhile, a promising candidate, Leslie Fisken, has emerged to replace Melanie Fox (Zone 3). Charles Armstrong (Zone 6) hasn't said if he's running for one office or two. And Dianne Curry (Zone 7) just read in the Democrat-Gazette that she has Hispanics in her district.

May electable candidates emerge, incumbent or not, who will finally put the needs of students above their own.

Perhaps one or more were among the Tiger Tailgate gathering tonight at War Memorial Stadium. With the leadership of Muskie Harris and Leotis Harris, Jr., Little Rock Central High football alumni are organizing to return the Tigers, and by extension the entire school and neighborhood, to its tradition rich place among the state and nation's elite. Go Tigers!

Little Rock School District Demographics: The Majority Myth

Total Population - 178,391

White Population - 84,513 (47%)

Black Population - 78,724 (44%)

Hispanic Population - 12,551 (7%)

Other Population - 2,603 (1.5%)

U.S. News & World Report Names KIPP's 96% Minority High School Arkansas' Second Best

Good news, bad news.

Out of 22,000 high schools evaluated in 49 states, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Helena's KIPP Delta Collegiate High School, an open enrollment public charter, Arkansas' second best.

According to the report, KIPP "students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at KIPP Delta Collegiate High School is 91 percent. The student body makeup is 41 percent male and 59 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 96 percent."

Arkansas's best high school - Farmington's Haas Hall Academy, also a charter - is America's 353rd best (top 1.6% in country). KIPP was 404th (top 1.8%).

Bentonville High School was third in Arkansas and 731st in America (top 3.3%).

For perspective, the 23rd best high school in Arkansas (the last ranked by U.S. News) - West Fork High School - came in at No. 2,003 in the nation (top 9.1%).

No Little Rock, North Little Rock or Pulaski County Special School District high schools or Pulaski County public charters were ranked or recognized.

What's not written is that a large percentage of KIPP's 16 teachers (10:1 student ratio) are from Teach for America.

They, their fellow teachers, students, parents, guardians, the community, Executive Director Scott Shirey, and the KIPP leadership are to be congratulated...and emulated.

By federal definition, Pulaski County is in the Delta. KIPP anyone? At the very least, we should be throwing open our school doors to Teach for America.

Hidden Public School Tuition

Lest home or private school parents think that the performance of the public schools is not their issue, consider the following.

From property taxes on $100,000 assessed valuation, $928.06 (65.82%) goes to the Little Rock School District. That means every $300,000 home is paying $2,784.18 annually in property taxes to the district.

From personal property taxes on $1,000 assessed valuation, $46.72 (65.82%) goes to the Little Rock School District. That means every $300,000 home is paying approximately $116 annually in personal property taxes to the district.

That's $2,900.18 every year for a combined $142,699,808 from local sources. And that doesn't include your contributions from the state's sales and income taxes which total $115,221,936 annually. While we're at it, don't forget your federal income taxes, which provide $80,757,150 a year.

Even if your kids weren't, aren't or won't be in the Little Rock School District, as a citizen, property owner and taxpayer, you have a responsibility to hold our elected officials accountable for their performance (or lack thereof) in the governance and results of the $340,000,000 public school district.

By the way, that equates to $13,600 per student, far higher than most any private school Pre-K through 12 tuition in the region. But in the case of the Little Rock School District, you don't get what you pay for.

Dynasty No More...But Could be Again

Academics and extra-curricular involvement are not an either/or proposition. They are inextricably linked in the education of the whole person.

Just ask Dr. Fitz Hill about the role of athletics in Arkansas Baptist College's miracle turnaround of its school and community.

Think back to your own experience. It was the students who were engaged in sports, band, spirit groups, drama, choir, yearbook, student government, newspaper, clubs and/or any number of out-of-class activities who performed best in school. They were accountable - to their coaches, directors and sponsors and to each other.

Now think to your present. If you want something done, ask a busy person.

Apparently, the Little Rock School District still has athletics - that fundamental source of school and community spirit and support. But the elected and administrative leadership seems loathe to even nominally support it.

It took Dr. Drake Hawkins, Verizon Wireless and the private sector to put a new surface on the home field of the most famous high school in America. And yet, athletes can't even use Quigley Stadium's locker rooms because of mold and abominable disrepair.

Understand, this is the field of the vaunted Central High Tigers and their 32 state championships from 1907 to 2004. Even though it's been eight years since their last one, they're still 11 ahead of second place Pine Bluff and 24 above third place Barton. While recent years have been lean, the Tigers still hold the Arkansas record for most victories with 756 through 2010.

What does it say about priorities when the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau and Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism spend big bucks to market Central High National Historic Site as a major global destination, while its school's students can't even use its facilities?

And if that weren't bad enough, every single game the most storied team in state history from the richest public school district in Arkansas plays outside of Little Rock is at superior facilities.

I was always told, "If you're going to do something, do it well or don't do it at all." The Little Rock School District should decide if it's going to be competitive athletically. If not, admit it, and get out of the business. If so, get in it to win it. They can't blame the charters for this one.

What goes largely unsaid during the constant sports talk radio lament that Arkansas is not producing enough D-1 talent in football is that the state's largest and deepest pool of talent is being squandered by its school district's indifference. As we celebrate Little Rock's private school products Jake Bequette and Joe Adams, where are the public's Keith Jacksons and Marcus Elliotts? They're there. They're just being denied the opportunity.

This is a simple fix. No studies, no consultants, no strategic plan required. All it takes is will, and a little Friday Night Lights competitive spirit from the board and administration. So if you're reading, here are my top ten plays to return Little Rock - Central, J.A. Fair, Hall, McClellan and Parkview - to athletic glory, and thereby engender support and pride among students, parents and the community.

1. Allow athletics, including off-season training, as a class-time elective with PE credit;
2. Convert grades 6 - 8 middle schools to 7 - 9 junior highs;
3. Synch high school athletic programs with feeder middle school/junior high programs;
4. Empower head high school coaches to assemble staffs, including middle school/junior high assistant head coaches, and hold them accountable for performance;
5. Return coaches to the role of campus disciplinarians - in the halls, in the lunch room, on the grounds
6. Partner with City of Little Rock to share, enhance athletic facilities;
7. Seek district-wide uniform sponsor, with consistent design - Little Rock above number, school name below;
8. Host city-wide Homecoming, with all-school parade through downtown Little Rock and Battle of the Bands in War Memorial Stadium;
9. Establish Little Rock Booster Club to raise private sponsorships to provide matching grants to school-specific parent/fan booster clubs; and
10. Create, enhance spirit groups (e.g. marching band, cheerleaders, pom/dance squad, mascot, student booster club), then produce pep rallies before every home football game.

Instead of that next district-financed junket to the latest urban school district du jour, board members should get on a school bus and travel to the location of every Tigers away game outside of Pulaski County scheduled for 2012.  When they get home, they should get in a huddle and raise their seven hands to give their players the tools they need to succeed on the field and in life.