001Check. 3 2 1. Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. All right, ladies and gentlemen. Ladies and gentlemen, if we could have you take your seats, please. You can sit up here if you want. >> So, we're going to be live streaming this just as an FYI. All right. So, um where's Judge Connor and Mr. Nichols? Calling Mr. Nichols. I'm sorry. You're going to have to come this way cuz they're going to walk up there. Sorry. Okay. Uh, can you let Kristen know we're ready to start the stream? All right, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Little Rock School District and our administration, we are very excited to welcome in our new board of directors elect right now, but they will be in a few minutes, officially sworn in. So, it's my pleasure to present Judge
002Cara Connor, who will do the swearing in. If Judge Connor will come on out, she'll be coming out momentarily. Board members, you're still new, so we we don't have all of your zones memorized. Please forgive us for that. Don't hold it against us. However, you know your number. So, we're going to do these chronologically if you don't mind swearing in 1 through 7 in that order. And Judge Connor will be holding the microphone. So, she will be doing double duty, swearing you in and also capturing you on the microphone. Thank you. Okay. All right. Good evening, everyone. >> Wow. All right. All at once. Well, as I'm not sure if Miss Pam introduced you, but my name is Cara Connors. I'm a circuit court judge here in Palaski County and I have the honor of
003swearing in our new board members. So at this time if you all want to stand and approach the board members the new board members. If you all want to stand and approach >> I do I have Thank you, Miss Hollinssworth. >> All right. And if you all and I guess are we going to all do it all together? Do you >> all at one time >> or one at a time? Okay. >> Zone one. All right. So, at this time, I'm going to ask that the board member for zone one, if you'll raise your right hand and repeat after me. >> I and state your name. Ian Johnson >> do solemnly swear >> domly swear >> that I will support the United States Constitution >> that I will support the United States Constitution >> and
004the Arkansas Constitution >> and that I will not be interested directly or indirectly >> and that I will not be interested directly or indirectly >> in any contract made by this district >> in any contract made by the district >> of which I am a director >> except as permitted by state law >> and that I shall abide by the ethical guidelines >> that I shall abide by the ethical guidelines >> and the prohibitions >> under Arkansas Code annotated section 624101 >> Arkansas code annotated 6-24 4101. >> And that I will faithfully discharge the duties as school director. >> And that I will faithfully discharge the duties as school director >> in Little Rock School District >> upon which I am about to enter. >> All right. CONGRATULATIONS. All right, zone two director. >> Oh,
005she wants you to come on up. You're going to take the stage. Okay. >> All right. See, they told me I was going to do a collective swearing in. So, but this is good. Everybody gets their shining moment. You ready, Bolly? >> All right. Repeat after me. I state your name. I, Cyrus Violet, >> do hereby solemnly swear >> that I will support the United States Constitution >> that I will support United States Constitution >> and the Arkansas Constitution >> and that I will not be interested >> directly or indirectly >> in any contract made by the district >> of which I I am a a director >> of which I am a director >> except as permitted by state law >> and that I shall abide by the ethical guidelines >> and that I
006shall abide by the ethical guidelines >> and the prohibitions >> under let's section 624101 >> under section 624101 >> and that I will faithfully discharge the duties >> and that I will faithfully discharge the duties >> as school director ctor >> as school director >> in Little Rock School District zone 2 >> upon which I'm about to enter. >> All right. Congratulations, sir. Welcome to the school board. All right. We have zone three. >> Okay. >> All right. You got to fan some fans out there. >> All right. Well, if you'll raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. I, Celandria Lenise Jackson, >> do hereby solemnly swear >> that I will support the United States Constitution >> that I will support the United States Constitution >> and the Arkansas Constitution
007>> and that I will not be interested directly or indirectly >> and that I will not be interested directly or indirectly >> in any contract made by the district >> of which I am a director except as permitted by state law. >> Except as permitted by state law. And I shall abide by the ethical guidelines >> That I shall abide by the ethical guidelines >> and prohibitions >> under section 624101 >> and that I will faithfully discharge the duties as school director >> and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of school director >> in Little Rock, Arkansas school district >> in Little Rock School District zone 3 >> upon which I am about to enter. >> On which I am about to enter. >> All right. Congratulations. All right. >> Okay. All right. Next
008up. >> All right. Okay. So, raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. I, Eugene Kpitzky, >> do hereby solemnly swear >> that I will support the United States Constitution >> that I will support the United States Constitution >> and the Arkansas Constitution >> and that I will not be interested directly or indirectly >> and that I will not be interested directly or indirectly >> in any contract made by the district >> of which I am a director >> except as permitted by state law >> that I shall abide by the ethical guidelines >> that I shall abide by the ethical guidelines >> and prohibitions >> under section 624101 >> and that I will faithfully discharge the duties >> and I will faithfully discharge the duties >> as school director in
009Little Rock School District zone 4 upon which I'm about to end. >> I know that's right. You better finish it for me. All right. Congratulations. All right, come on up. Who's next? >> Usually you all don't have your own script, >> but now, >> how are you? All right, raise your right hand. Repeat after me. I state your name. I, Anna Camille Strong, >> do hereby solemnly swear or affirm >> that I will support the United States Constitution >> that I will support the United States Constitution >> and the Arkansas Constitution >> and that I will not be interested directly or indirectly >> and that I will not be interested directly or indirectly >> in any contract made by the district upon which I am a director >> and in any contract made by the
010district in which I am a director >> except as permitted by state law >> and that I shall abide by the ethical guidelines >> and that I shall abide by the ethical guidelines >> and prohibitions >> under section 624101 >> and I will faithfully discharge the duties >> and I that I will faithfully discharge the duties >> as school director in Little Rock School District >> as that I will faithfully discharge the duties as school director in Little Rock School District zone 5 >> upon on which I am about to enter. >> on which I'm about to enter. >> All right. Congratulation, Miss Strong. >> All right. And I think I need to sign those. Okay. All right. >> I don't have a pen, so >> you They have a cheat sheet. Normally, they're just
011repeating after me, but Oh, you going to you going to actually repeat after me? All right. Good evening. You raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. I, Anthony Nichols, >> do hereby solemnly swear >> that I will support the United States Constitution >> that I will support the United States Constitution >> and the Arkansas Constitution >> and that I will not be interested >> directly or indirectly >> in any contract made by >> the director of which I am the district of which I am a director >> the district in which I am a director Except as permitted by state law. >> Except for permitted by state law. >> That I shall abide by the ethical guidelines >> That I shall abide by the ethical guidelines >> and the prohibitions
012>> under section 624101. and that I will faithfully discharge the duties >> and I will faithfully discharge the duties >> as school director >> in Little Rock School District zone 6 >> upon which I am about to enter >> upon which I'm about to enter. >> All right, congratulations. Welcome to the board. All right, last but not least. All right, Mr. Adams, let me get you to raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. >> I, Greg Adams, >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the United States Constitution >> that I will support the United States Constitution >> and the Arkansas Constitution. and that I will not be interested >> and I will not be interested >> directly or indirectly >> in any contract made by the district >>
013of which I am a director >> of which I'm a director >> except as permitted by state law >> except as permitted by the state law >> that I shall abide by the ethical guidelines >> that I shall abide by the ethical guidelines >> and prohibitions >> under section 624101. >> And that I will faithfully discharge the duties >> And that I will faithfully discharge the duties >> as school director >> of Little Rock School District zone 7 >> upon which I am about to enter. >> All right, congratulations. Welcome back. All right. Well, I think that concludes the swearing in of all of the directors. Thank you so much. And I just want to thank you for your public service. Education is important to this community, to this state. We cannot have successful members
014of the community without the work that you all do. So, thank you so much and good luck to you all. Oh yes, sure. >> Yeah. Don't let me know. That's why I'm here. >> Yeah. Order again. >> Order again. Okay. Good evening, Little Rock School District. Welcome to our March 19th, 2026 board meeting. I'm very, very excited to call us to order this evening. Um, and I would love to give a round of applause to our newly uh newly sworn in board of directors for the LAST I'm Anna Strong and I am the vice president of the board um from the recent past board um and will be helping us get started this evening. And I just want to say I am so glad to see some familiar faces and some new faces up here
015and I think we are going to have a great um few years ahead of us. All right. Our first um our first order of business is for our election of LRSD board officers for our newly reconfigured board of directors. So um I have a little bit of a script from Mr. Kazay, our attorney. And so I'm going to read a little bit from this um and I will get us started with um the president elections for the um which come up first. So consistent with LRSD board policy 1.2, 2. The board shall elect a president, vice president, secretary, and legislative liaison at the first regular meeting following the certification of the results of the annual school election. Additionally, the board shall also elect a member to be the primary board dispersing officer. So, the LRSD
016board will be electing officers for the following positions one at a time in this order. President, vice president, secretary, legislative liaison, and board dispersing officer. Any director may be nominated to any office. The nomination does not require a second. In the event of multiple nominees for any one office, there will be a voice vote election. The candidates will be voted upon in the order in which they were nominated. As soon as any nominee receives a majority vote, that nominee will be declared the winner and no votes will be taken on the remaining nominees. All right. So, nominations are now in order for the office of president. Are there any further are there any nominations for the office of president? Well, I'd like to nominate um Norma Johnson. >> All right. Are there any other nominations
017for the office of president? I'd love to also nominate Greg Adams if that works. If I may do that. Are there any other nominees for the off for the office of president? Okay. Okay. If so, nominations are closed. So, we have two nominees for board president. The nominees are director strong. Oh, sorry, not director strong. Not me. That's my name. Our director, sorry, not me. Definitely not me. Our director Johnson. Um, who was the first nominee? If you are in the second nominee was director Adams. As many as are in favor of Director Johnson for president, say I. >> I. >> Those opposed say no. >> Can you raise hands? >> Okay. >> As many as are in favor of Director Johnson for president say I. >> I. >> All right. >> That is the
018quorum. >> That is a quorum. >> Majority. >> So, um, the eyes have it and director Johnson is elected president. >> SO EXCITED FOR YOU. ALL RIGHT, DIRECTOR JOHNSON, would you like to take the helm? >> It is an honor and I have finally arrived and I would really appreciate all of your support. I am Let me just say a couple of things about um Director Johnson. I am not a referee and if you're looking for perfection, you're in the wrong place. So, with that being said, we all need to work together. It's all about the outcome of the students and I'm going to work really hard. really hard at it. Okay. But this is the thing for that we don't know. You must tell us so that we can help. And thank you very
019much board members. >> So excited for you. >> Would you like me to hand you this script so you >> so well I'm >> Are you sure? >> Yeah. Go ahead and finish it. Yes. Johnson, you are out of chair. >> Yep. I was like I don't really think that I think. >> Okay. This is really good. >> Well done. >> Uhoh. Sit down here. >> Do you want me to scoot down there? I just figured we would wait until all the Oh, hang on. You got to have this channel. Just >> let me have a share. Don't eat my cake down there. >> I will not eat your cake. Don't >> have a script. >> Okay. All righty. So now we are ready to move forward with the nominations are now in order for
020the office of the vice president. Thank you sir. I'd like to nominate director Greg Adams. Are there any other nominees? No other nominees. Okay. Are there any Okay. >> Congratulations. >> Well, thank you. Congratulations, Greg. Do you have anything you'd like to say? >> Thank you very much. I will I appreciate the opportunity to serve in that way and to support Director Johnson and and really look forward to a great year together. Okay. So, now we're nominations are now in order for the office of secretary. >> I'd like to nominate director Anna Strong. >> I'm open to nominate. Great. Are there any more nominees? Congratulations, Mr. Director Strong. >> Thank you. >> Nominations are now in order for the office of board dispersing officer. >> I'll nominate Mr. Nichols for that with his financial background.
021Mr. Are there any other nominations? Congratulations, Mr. New Director. >> I got you. Okay. So, now we're down to the last nomination and that would be for ma'am. >> Legislative. >> Yes, ma'am. We gonna do that right now. Thank you so much. Um, do we have any nominees for the I didn't have mine on this your page. Mine is not on this page. There you go. Are there any further nominations for the office of leazison legislative Arizona? Do we have any nominees? >> I'd like to nominate Director Kapinsky. I'd like to nominate uh Osiris, director Osiris Oali. Are there any other nominees? Okay, Mr. Eugene, you know I have a problem pronouncing your last name. I'm gonna get there, though. You were the first. So, all those in favor of Mr. Eugene being >> you
022want me to raise your hands? Okay. Of um director Eugene becoming the liaison the legislative leazison. Raise your hand. >> Sorry. That was just a practice. How many was that? >> Anna, >> I think it >> is it three. >> Oh, that was just a practice. Okay. >> Oh, that was three. >> Was that a real one? Okay. >> Yeah. >> Raise your hand up high. >> Sorry. >> Oh. Then that's the majority. >> That's the majority. >> Congratulations. You have anything you'd like to say? Any money you want to throw out? >> No, I'm good. >> Okay. So, we're going to move on. Drawing for board terms. Is that prepared? I have a question before we get started. How many twos and how many fours do you have in the basket? >> I was
023going to I I had a I don't know. Mr. cuz I do you want you can address that. >> I'm here at the board's pleasure now. >> How many twos and how many fours should do you have in the basket >> at this point? There are four fours and three twos unless there's some other direction from the board, which I'm more than happy to do. >> The board have any other direction they'd like to take that? >> I really like that. I think it helps us have some continuity over the next four years with the majority of our board staying on for a four-year term. Everybody's >> the state law gives us some leeway, gives us the um ability to decide based on whether it just has to be approximately even, which is three and
024four. So, >> okay. We'll let the drawing begin. >> All right. And board members, without objection, I'll go by zone number. >> That's fine. Sure. >> You'll be reading now later, >> please. two, >> two. sound right. >> We'll find out in a sec if these are accurate or not. >> Let's hope this is a four. >> It It is a four. >> Okay. Two. No, just kidding. Four. >> Four. >> Congratulations, board members. >> Thank you. >> If you want to, can you trade with one of the other boards? Can you trade numbers? >> That's not how the statute. >> Okay. I was just asking. >> Thank you. language is after reorganization that the the board members will draw lots. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> District celebrations. >> Dr. Reich.
025>> Yes. >> Good afternoon, everyone. >> Good afternoon. >> Okay. All right. It's a little better. All right. Let's jump right into our celebrations for the month of March. Um, first one is big congratulations. Oh no, I forgot. I'm so sorry. >> Let's welcome our VIPS uh stars up to the podium to start with our volunteers in public service. >> Yeah. Oh, thank you. We won't be long. My name is Tammy Bllylock and I'm the coordinator for volunteers in public schools and uh partners in education. This is my colleague Jackie Merrill and welcome new board members. It's so nice to have you. We're excited. >> Thank you. Uh we typically come before the board every month to present our newest partners in education. Uh due to the board meeting being moved from the fourth week
026to the 3rd, our groups were not able to schedule for tonight, but we didn't want to miss the opportunity to come before you and say hello and just give you a few quick announcements. It's good to see all of our our our friends from before and hopefully our new friends to come. I've met some of you and hope to get to know you better. Um, one thing that we'd like to do straight off the bat is continue celebrating with our next celebration will be April 21st. It's an evening for the stars and that is our annual recognition of our partners in education volunteers and um it's a wonderful evening where you get to hear a lot of the stories of what's going on behind the scenes, the community involvement and how they're helping our students
027and our schools. So um we have over 80 nominees right now as um award nominees. Quite a quite a hefty group. We're really excited. Um, and we we hope to see as many of you there as we can. Mr. Adams, I know that's your work night. So, we we he gets a hall pass, but uh we just wanted you all to know that you were personally welcomed. And I put a >> You're some of the district's most dedicated volunteers. So, let us celebrate you as well. So, as you all know, volunteering and financial giving complement one another, ensuring that our schools have access to people and monetary resources needed to help our students thrive. So, at this time, I will read we will read the donors and contributors for the last se section. Um, Mr.
028and Mrs. Frederick Cadell, $500 to Fordight STEM Robotics Club. Jean Fetting, $3,120 to Gibbs Magnet for student travel assistance. Michael Hanssbury, $82 to Gibbs Magnel Elementary for team sweatuits. Little Rock Reclamation Authority, $1,000 to JA Fair for the Next Generation program. Pleasant Valley Garden Club is $750 to McDermott for their food core guard garden club. and Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation did 24 bikes, helmets, and I believe racks for Robert's Elementary for the kindergarten learn to ride program. Claus Garden LLC donated $2,256 to Central High School Theater Department, Honorable and Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Thomas McCclardy III, $1,000 to Central High School in memory of Reverend Je Jesse Jackson. Freddy and Charlotte Wright, $100 to Central High School for Amanda Sanchez Memorial Fund. Craig County, $100 to Central High School for the Amanda Sanchez Memorial Fund.
029Contributors also making a $1,250 donation for the Central High School alumni class benches are James Walls, Randy L. Rod, Sarah Carter Williams, Sharon Petus Doss, Dr. Haron Hampton, Poke Stanley Wilcox Architects, and Kristoff Keller. Thank you very much. Thank you. >> THANK YOU. DR. WRIGHT, you now let's get to our celebrations for the month of March. Starting first with big congratulations to the Parkview Patriots and Coach Jason Harrison for winning the 5A boy state basketball championship. It's definitely an exciting weekend for those of us who were able to travel down to Hot Springs and witness some exciting games. Uh, Friday night was an exciting game between Hall and I was there. I can't even remember who they played. Mills. Yes. So, congratulations to Hall High School. Um, they left it all on the court. Also
030bringing home the 4A state basketball championship. THE PHOTO just to show you how much support there is for Hall in our community. The photo on the right um was made by a second grader who was inspired by the team's journey proving that dedication and winning are contagious. So congratulations to the Warriors and to coach John Coleman. We are meeting with the city to work out plans for a big celebration for all of the teams and we will keep you posted for what we hope will be a citywide parade to celebrate all of our teams including Central High School. We are equally proud of their hard-fought battle against Bryant. Um they just came up shy of winning the title. Uh so they were the class 6A runners up. Um it was exciting uh time to watch
031all three high schools in the finals. Way to go students and way to go LRSD for representing big during the state basketball championships. And as always, we are so proud of the transformation that has taken place and is taking place at our alternative school, Hamilton Learning Academy. They had an event this week um for the positive strides they are making in honoring the aspirations of all of their students. They had an event, a panel discussion called the real big talk showing how our students are not just learning, they are leading. So we want to thank the outgoing and incoming board members who showed up to support these amazing students. There were a lot of you all there. Uh that's wonderful. >> Whatever night, Wednesday night, Tuesday night, Thursday. >> Yeah, that's it. Definitely the green
032suit. >> If if you notice on the end that person in that suit I've >> clue. I've got to get one of those. really impressive. >> We're also grateful to the city of Little Rock. Today we had uh Mayor Frank Scott and U.A. Little Rock and all the folks behind the new mobile food market. We announced to kick off today at Stevens, one of our community schools. The idea is to expand access to fresh and affordable foods, meeting residents where they are, and supporting food access. And I had a chance to actually walk through the mobile market, and it is it's beautiful. Um and the fresh foods and uh the items that were available. Um, it's just just nice to see and I'm hoping I know it cost a bit, but I'm hoping the city
033will be able to have more than one. You can clap. All right. And because we have so much going on in the Little Rock School District, um, this is the time of the year where students who don't live in our zones are invited to join the LRC family. We have lots of room for you and lots of great things happening in our schools and we are saving a seat just for you. So, more information can be found on the registration page on our district website. Also, we are uh excited about our community partners and a special shout out to Goodwill who made a generous donation of 36 boxes of books to our Reading in the Rock effort. >> We can't thank them enough and we're proud that Reading in the Rock and Associated Partnerships continue
034to grow around the city. We also are grateful for the great turnout we had this year at the state of the district address. We want to thank all of our families, board members, students, and community partners who participated or attended. Again, we thank Cal's uh for their huge support and allowing us to host the event in the beautiful library. It was an awesome space and we are grateful for the continued partnership. If by chance you missed attending, I know Mr. Bali mentioned this last week, but the live stream of the event is available on our YouTube channel um and has been shared in our socials. So, please check it out, especially the address from yours truly. We have a special um call to action that we are going to keep playing and keep sending that
035message um so that folks um will do what we need to do to preserve the institution of public education, not just in the city of Little Rock, but across these United States. We rely on many partners to support um our students in schools and this is something that we just started recently highlighting substitute teachers and you can see our substitute teacher superstars mentioned there uh their names. I can't see it on my sheet cuz it's so small and it's so far away I can't see it there but you can see the numbers and those are the number of times u these substitutes um have worked in our schools this past month. And so we thank them uh for their service. We also just wrapped up a fabulous past four days with our annual artistry and
036the rock celebration. If you went to see the showcase at CS this week, you would see that the arts are alive and well in LRD from preK to 12th grade. Great turnout for the performance and the art gallery. Thank you to Cows again for allowing us to showcase our students and kudos to Drs. Kimberly Collins and Marcus Johnson and all the staff who helped make this event possible. This is also theater in our schools month and I believe we have uh two schools that are here. >> Yeah. >> Or two groups that are here or maybe one group. >> Okay. >> Um what are two reps from all theater programs? >> Oh, from all of the schools are represented. All right. So, I'm going to turn it over to our fabulous students to do what
037they came to do. >> All right. Hello, I am Brooklyn Lot representing Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School. >> Hello, I'm Canon Carpenter representing Parkview Arts and Magnet Science High School. >> Hi, good evening. I'm Christopher Glacon. I'm a freshman theater one student representing Little Rock Central High School. >> Hi, my name is Alexander Bernett. I am the secretary of troop 6418 representing Little Rock Central High >> Tiger. >> Hi, I'm Amy Castro, a technical theater two student, soon to be three student representing Little Rock Southwest High School. >> Hello, I'm Johann Gonzalez and I'm representing for Horseman Middle School. >> All right, I'm representing Middle School. Hi, I'm Lai Hury and I'm representing Pinnacle View Middle School. And I'm Annie Owens representing Pinnacle View Middle School. We are here because March is is
038the month for theater in our schools. As you can see on the slideshow, we represent the outstanding theater program across the Little Rock School District. Because theater isn't about just standing on the stage, >> it's about building skills we can take into our careers and lives. >> In theater, we practice, polish, perform now so we're professional forever. >> All right. >> What do we practice? Discipline, time management, and teamwork. >> What do we polish? >> Oh, confidence. >> But what about performing? We perform now in front of a real audience under real pressure. Like we said in theater, we practice, polish, perform now so we're professional forever. at Parkview. This looks like two annual mainstage productions, two two traveling shows to different schools, three or more smaller stage productions, uh, as well as the largest
039thesian troop in the state with around $300,000 awarded to our seniors at thefest this year. >> All right. at LRCH. This looks like two mainstage productions, a fall musical and spring play that include student leadership roles, a student written directed and run show for Black History Month, and five smaller stage shows, two of which are touring children's shows in a one act for one act festival. At thespian festival, 23 of our students won awards and the troop as a whole won 24 awards, both excellence and superiors. At Southwest, this looks like celebrating every national holiday with a performance and production. A collaboration of the arts. This means actually tying our roots, culture, and identity to action. This looks like having a newer state-of-the-art auditorium with top-notch technical equipment. Getting pre-professional opportunities through community theater ties.
040Finally, providing a play to a school community that has probably never seen a play before. at Man. This looks like an annual mainstage production. An October murder mystery play where the students write the story themselves, make props with each other, and interact with the audience in an improvisation scene. A winter show where we collab with other fine art classes to perform. A steam night where actors get to show off their improvisation and class activities that show off the materials about theater. At PVMS, this looks like a fall play in a spring musical. It looks like 120 sixth graders in exploratory theater mimming a fairy tale. 60 seventh and eighth graders reading classical works like the Greek tragedy and Tiggony. 12 technical theater students learning how to construct a set. 26 students competing each month in
041public speaking, theater, and debate. It looks like one act festival and junior thespian festival. It looks like volunteering at our local theaters. It looks like a fine arts showcase. A and a sixth grade orientation fashion show and an awards ceremony and showcase to close out a wonderful year. >> Like we said, practice, polish, perform now so we're professional forever. And about that professional forever part, will you support theater in our schools? You support students that are >> ready for the flexibility and quick thinking required to work on a team. Ready for the problems that will need innovative and creative solutions. Ready for the concepts that make us think outside the box and put the extra in ordinary. Ready for the opportunity to make our voices heard. To tell stories that are important and often go
042untold. To give voice to the voiceless, to speak up, to speak out, and not be silenced. >> Ready to pursue your education in artistic natures to show the important acting and other fine arts? These skills will prepare us not only for a successful path for life. It can as well show your true expression of not being ashamed of who you are as a person. >> Ready for social inclusion? Theater brings people together to form large communities and make sure every young person is safe and feel seen in their artistic element. Theater and drama bring people together to prepare us for creating safe environments for other people alike. Ready for connections, ready for family. Once you've entered into the outstanding artistic world of theater, there's no going back. There's some there's something about theater that will
043stick with you. Whether you pursue it professionally or go back into your roots once you're out of school, ready for the real world and the challenges that come with it. Improv teaches us to be quick on our feet and ready for any challenge thrown at us. Memorizing lines and memorization teach us about time management and planning. And then working in large group productions teaches us with teaches us in different ways to improve our teamwork and partnership skills. So all the skills that we learn in theater can be applied to life for a successful and a professional life. >> Ready for public speaking by building confidence, improving clear communication, and learning how to stay calm and expressive in front of an audience. >> Ready for community. Theater teaches us how to come together with one shared
044goal to create and then share a performance. A skill that is unbelievably paramount in today's society. >> Because in the Little Rock School District theater programs, we don't just put on shows. We practice. We polish. We perform now so that we're professional forever. >> All right. Thank you. Thank you. >> I absolutely love the fact that we had >> so many of our schools represented um which shows uh which is a visual representation of our our theme and our motto one team, one dream, one LRSD. So, thank you to the uh staff uh the teachers who I see who are present. Um, and I do encourage and invite everyone um, who is listening and who is here with us today. If you have never seen one of our high schools uh, productions, um, I'm sure
045they all or most of them should be having something coming up this spring, it is a sight to see. And I will tell you from what I have witnessed, maybe I shouldn't say this, but I am always surprised at how, no, let me rephrase that. They are amazing and they are amazing performances and you should definitely uh, check them out. But our students are so talented. And I'm also just reflecting on just my visit yesterday at the East competition um in Hot Springs, seeing so many of our students um sharing projects and ideas that they are working on to solve problems um solve problems in their own communities. Um there's so many good things happening in our school district and we're going to work extra extra hard to make sure that we are always sharing
046and highlighting the amazing things that our students are doing every single day because that one negative thing that happens everyone talks about uh but we can have two million great things happening every single day and no one talks about it. So we are going to toot our own horn and make sure that we are always sharing the excellence um that is happening in our school district. So, thank you to all of our theater students and teachers and all of our teachers across the district for the great job that you do every single day. And last, but definitely not not least, um we have a customer service um initiative that we have launched that we've been talking about the past couple of months. And last month, we recognized uh the February customer service employee of the
047month. And we have some other employees to recognize today. Um, we are proud to recognize this month's customer service ambassadors who go above and beyond the call of duty every single day. They came highly recommended by their colleagues. Um, and I know they were probably lied to to get them here. So, as they are looking around the room, um, I don't know what they told you to get you here, but we are here to recognize first Miss Marisol Canola from our federal programs office. You can come on up. And as she is coming up to the front, come on up, Marisol. Followed by Miss Christy Crawford from Mapville Middle School. >> What? >> Miss Crawford, what did they tell you to get you here? >> She said that the foreign schools and their secretaries had
048to come to the school. And I was like, what did we do? >> You did an amazing job every single day. That's why you're here. And also, um, she is not here today. Um, but we all know the great customer service that Miss Denise Smith, who works in our human resources, uh, department provides. Um, but she's not here. But we want to recognize these ladies who always deliver great customer service, and they do it with a smile. So, congratulations to both of you. And again, just to remind everyone, we are working hard to improve customer service across our district. not just for our external stakeholders um but also for our internal stakeholders as well. We actually kicked off a new um internal employee recognition kind of like program that we're going to be piloting this
049last half of the year to kick off uh strong at the beginning of next school year called highlight. Um so just remember that word. We'll be telling you more about what highlight is. Um but we again are looking for ways to make sure that we boost um morale that we always uh take the time to share um all the great things that that our employees do every single day. And so you'll be hearing more information about that in the future. So that is all of our celebrations for the month of March. >> And so let me just throw a little bit something out there. I think it's very important that in your building if you have students, staff members, parents or whomever that you feel like need to be celebrated, then you need to celebrate
050it. and I Pam well Pam Smith if you have something you like to send in send it to Pam Smith your communication director and I'm sure that she'll get it to Dr. Wright. So it's very important that you celebrate the good things that people are doing. Okay, moving on. >> Yeah, I was about to actually say that we don't have committee reports on here but that would come after public comment usually right? >> It would be it would usually be number five right after public comment. We need Do you want me to add? Do you want me to >> We would do that, but we can Do you want to do public comment first and then we can make a motion if there is anybody? Norma, do you want me to keep Do you want
051me to keep doing the timer thing or do you want Greg to take that on? >> Which one of you would like to do that? Raise your hand. >> I don't want to sh my responsibilities. >> Greg, would you do that, please? >> I'll do that. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Okay. Public comment. I don't have a list. >> That's right. >> Do we have a list? Oh, good. There are no public comments. Okay, moving on to which >> I'd like I was going to say I'd like to do we to make a to make a motion for us to amend our agenda to add reports from the classified certified principles round table and student advisory committee. >> I'll second that motion. Okay, it has been motioned and seconded that we add reports the
052classified, the certified and the >> principal round table and advisory committee. I hope I got all those right. >> And to the who's >> and the student advisory committee. >> Student advisory committee to the agenda. >> Yep. Between number four and five >> and the student advisory person is the only person that's here. >> Student reported they didn't have. >> Okay. All in favor? I I >> I >> All oppose. Unanimous. Okay. Student advisory committee, would you come forward, please? >> Hello. >> Hey. >> Good evening, board members. >> Good evening. >> I see we have some new and returning faces here. Well, I'm excited for what the future holds and what we can accomplish together. Here's a little about myself. I'm Tony Har, a current 10th grader at 10th grader student at Little Rock
053Central High School. I'm speaking on behalf of the Superintendent Student Advisory Board. It is our commitment to meet together, discuss, and problem solve on issues within the district that affect our students. I'll now recite our mission statement. The mission of the superintendent student advisory board is to evaluate student bullets and develop student leaders who partner with with the superintendent and district leaders to share insights, offer solutions, and help shape a district culture that represents the diverse perspectives of students across the district to advocate for equitable, inclusive, and supportive learning environments where where every student can thrive. We meet once a month and our doors are open to anyone who would like to meet with us, provided that you contact Stephanie Vestal at Stephanie. at lrc.org in advance. Our website is also https/lrc.org/page/ student-advisory-board slash. The
054student board's next meeting will be on Wednesday, April the 22nd. Also, some of you may not know that our board members aren't regular students. They are learners with high academic standards and levels of achievement. Here are some of our celebrations. One of our members got first place at the regional national history day in the website category. Another was part of Hall's winning 4A basketball championship team. Another was part of horse man's championship winning football and basketball team. Another had great success in cyber security competitions robotics tournaments and was selected for the international science and engineering fair in Phoenix, Arizona this year. Our main events planned for this month's was the meeting that occurred today in our last student leadership institution institution institute session to occur at the capital on Tuesday March 31st starting with our
055board meeting. The goal of these meetings is for the board to bring up problems on our agenda and then discuss real-time solutions to these problems so that members within the district can hear these solutions. We were first introduced to our new student board members from Horus man. We gave short introdu correction on that J fair. We gave short introductions and were then presented with our first guest speaker. Our first guest speaker was LRC board member Eugene Kitsky. Okay. He asked us to introduce ourselves and then discuss one positive and one negative thing that we see in our schools. Overall, he wanted us to see and pursue a greater understanding of issues within the district to see what he could imp what impact he could have on them. We then had a group split where where
056the where we split high school speakers and middle school speakers into breakout rooms. One of our breakout rooms was with Mr. Dwayne Clayton. We then proceeded to discuss the code of conduct and how it has been revised due to our earlier suggestions in the fall. Mr. Clayton reported that he had made progress in shortening the code of conduct to where it only has the necessary information and when more explanation is needed, it can be pulled from another document. Our next breakout session was with Kenjan Puit from solution seekers. I'm pretty sure Dr. Wright knows about that. Yes. Her goal was to provide information to us about the current state of the district declaring that we are not in a financial crisis. However, we wish to be pro proactive. We are happy to welcome board directors
057Osiris Bali and Eugene Kitsky. Mr. Kitzky was sharing some insight as he has also reviewed the budget issue as he is a financial adviser himself. This concluded our meeting as we proceeded to lunch and then students were sent back to school. As I mentioned earlier, our next event is the student leadership institute on Tuesday, March 31st and our next board meeting will be on Wednesday, April 22nd. We are glad that all of you are present on the Little Rock School Board of Directors and we hope to see you walk into one of our meetings to see the standard that we set. We look forward to our partnership with you in executing district level success. Is there anything that you would like to share? >> If I can for just a second, I I just wanted
058to thank Tony for being here. Um, but also for those of you that have not attended one of these sessions, these kids are unbelievable. Um, the insights that they had throughout this morning when I asked them questions were not just thoughtful, um, but they clearly care genuinely about the school district and they have great ideas. Um, so not only did they share those during Miss Puit's presentation, but also with me. Um, so I've got a bunch of notes uh of different ideas for us to implement. And as I shared with them today, their voice is just as important as anybody else's. And so I kept encouraging them to make sure those voices are heard. So thank you for being here and representing everyone. But if you'll tell everyone, I really appreciate all the comments they
059had today as well. >> Thank you. I'll be sure to let the board know. >> Anyone else? >> Keep up the good work. >> Thank you. Here it goes. >> Oh, okay. just a little bit. >> Thank you guys. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I just wanted to share an example of just how um impactful and influential our student uh group is. And I don't know if I've shared this with the board. I know I shared part of it, but we have been looking for ways to increase um mental health supports through our district. And so we had presented various options uh to them since they were going to be the end users. And they voted them all down. They were all AI technology uh based um solutions that we we were look looking
060to implement. Um and then I happened to walk into a meeting last week with all of our middle and high school principles with Kelsey and some other folks and they were actually um as a result of our students talking about ways to be creative to fund social workers in all of our schools because that's one of the things that the students um wanted. We had we have a um some schools who have social workers, some schools who have more than one, and some who don't have any. Um, and so as a as a result of their advocacy, um, I didn't even know this this was occurring, but our middle and high school principles were meeting with Kelsey and human resources to figure out ways in which uh, to make sure all of our schools have
061social workers um, in them. And that's a direct result of the advocacy and the work um, of our student um, leadership group. And so I just appreciate I appreciate them 99.6% of the time. There is a point4% that they actually drive me a little crazy. Um but I appreciate them and um um thank them for their work and and a lot of their suggestions and things that are advocating for are actually happening. So just wanted to share that. >> And you're absolutely right. I sat in on that meeting when they voted everything down and they were so I was hoping they wouldn't ask me no questions cuz boy they go hard. I was like oh lord. But anyway they did um say that social workers need to be in every school and they are very
062persistent and it sounds like uh their work is paying off thanks to the superintendent. He's making sure that they are being listened to and that we are considering their ideas. They are a very very great bunch of kids doing great things. Okay, are we ready to move on? >> All right, we're going to the consent agenda items. I need a motion or is there some corrections that need to be made or additions, subtractions? I move the LRSD board of education approve the consent agenda items as follows. One uh 5.1 personnel changes. 5.2 March purchasing reports. 5.3 approval of board meeting minutes. 5.4 community service learning applications. 5.5 donation of property. And 5.6 round two staff recommendation for the 2627 school year that included pre-K and elementary only. >> I'll second that. Okay, it has been
063moved and second that the LRSD board of education approve the consent agenda items as follows. 5.1, personnel changes. 5.2, March person purchasing reports. 5.3 approval of board meeting minutes. 5.4 community service learning applications. 5.5 donation of property. 5.6 Six. Round two. Staff recommendations for 2020 2627 school year prek and elementary only. All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? >> No. >> Unanimous, school, and academics. >> Nothing. Finance and operations. That would be Mr. Bailey. Please come forward. How you doing? >> I'm good. >> Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. >> Welcome new board members and returning board members. Usually not up here by 6:15. Get >> plugged in real quick. So in your board agenda, you you're going to have our financial report. I'll take a little extra time on this one to go
064through it. All right. Get out of there. So this is really the this a summary report here. Uh as you look at the following pages here, this wraps up about 21 pages. So get a little closer. The first part of we pretty loud the summary of revenue status report there. So it breaks down all our different revenue sources. Uh then you have your expenditure status report. It summarizes those expenditures by object code which are account codes. Uh we do have reports that break it out by each individual function code whether it's elementary, middle school, uh whether it's sped and all that that could be a couple hundred pages. So we've condensed this down to what's called a board report that's out of einance. We also have our detailed statement of changes in fund balances. So
065it's going to give you overview of where our fund balances is as of this uh snapshot here. So jumping right in and we'll we'll look at the detail behind there. So our property tax collection we have two accounts major accounts there we have one period that goes from July 1st through December 31st and the next one which is the property account uh 11120 that goes from January 1st through June 30th of each year. Uh, of course the first part is over. Uh, so we had budgeted a little over 111 million. We collected 111 million. So we a little bit short on that projection about 2.3 million. So we collected about 98%. As of this report, which is the end of February, we collected about $ 8.6 million on our second portion of that. So the
066major part of tax collections typically come in October, November for the fall. And we'll really see lot of part of April but most mostly in May when typically the estro companies pay their uh tax tax bills. Delinquent we have collected about 93% of what we actually budgeted and we'll look at the actual amount. So about 12.5 million uh excess commissions have come in almost 100%. You have land redemption and some smaller ones below. So, uh, the one that's over budget, we knew we were going to collect probably more was, uh, investments on interest on investments, which we are about 200% over. We projected about 500, I think 40,000 or something like that. But interest rates have stayed good in our favor, and we had some deposits out there. So, most of that's based on our
067capital improvement funds that we have out there, and those are going down as we finish our projects out. And you can stop me at any time doing this as well. So as far as salaries and uh benefit projections uh we were trending to come in still I have I left this in there from last time as well about $3.5 million. Uh we have reduced some of our vacant positions out there about 1.2 million that been pretty much vacant all year and some were vacant last year that we felt that we didn't need. So that's part of our savings that we're calculating as well Dr. Wright and I uh some of the areas of future budget adjustment. You'll see a few of these stay on there the full report. So, uh, because when you start looking
068at the detail, they're going to pop out on there for you. So, security about 1.7 million. That was a one time, uh, we had some billing issues with the city of Woodrock with our SO program. So, they were about a year and a half, almost two years behind before they got us invoices out there. So, it all kind of hit this year. So, we we paid it, had to pay it. So, we worked through those issues there. Uh, so we're we don't have those billing issues anymore. We've worked that out with the the city. Uh, other professional and technical services. We're about 662,000. That's primarily due to sp OT and PT and speech uh outsourcing of some services there. Uh some of that may be covered with some 6B funding, but right now that's the
069part that it wasn't budgeted uh at the beginning of the year and it's a special program funded. Uh rental equipment vehicles. Uh we have some vehicles typically safety and security and maintenance. So we have vehicles we turn it in. So that amount I think is going to be absorbed once we get our our credit for our vehicles we turn in. You'll see student transportation, that's red. I'm giving you all the bad stuff. We have a lot of stuff in black, so don't don't take this for the new ones. That's But these are the things you kind of looking at. As you look out, you'll see some negatives out there. If you see negative on the revenue, that means good negative on this means that uh we have some some work to do on it. So,
070student transportation, we went in about $383 uh,000 u uh in the red, but mainly it's because in conferences, uh we won't actually spend that. We had six days that transportation was provided based on the the snow day we had and snow days we had. So that's going to be back in the black. Uh special supplies uh supply center and special tracking. The parent object code of that is 66100. These are subcategories. So we have plenty money in the 66100. These are just where they actually spent they order more supplies from our either from our warehouse or special tracking. We had special tracking on one for additional furniture we had for Marg Lacy School. So we wanted to make sure we keep that separate. So you'll see those out there. But those are really not negatives
071there. And gasoline and diesel and and this is based on what we have encumbered. We typically uh issue blanket what's called blanket POS encumber all that money out of that budget for the given year. Not sure if we're going to recoup this or not with the price of diesel and gas going up. I'm sure all you all have seen that. So I would say this would be in the black at the end of year, but I would probably say it's going to be right around where we are right now. So hopefully diesel prices don't don't rise much more. Uh we did have a little scare a few weeks ago where we were waiting on a supply of diesel and they it was delayed. So we ran a risk of not having diesel for our buses.
072So we did get emergency drops out there and they're trying to get that done. So that may be something we have to kind of address in the future if uh gas diesel >> shortages occur based on what's going on. >> Thank goodness for all those electric buses that for the electric buses though. >> Yeah, that's good. Yep. Mhm. >> We have 25 and those are special need, but we have 148 drivers on our regular routes that depending on diesel plus we have another about 15 to 20 that we have diesels for our sped too. So, but EV buses were still rolling with no problem. >> Mr. Bailey, can I ask a quick question? Yes, sir. So, when I look at this expenditure update, so salary and benefits are going to come under budget by 3.5
073million. These other expenditures, look, when I tallied them up, it's about 3.5 million overage. So I to me it appears that really it's a break even across those or you expect. Okay. Yes sir. >> But do you anticipate some of that will adjust or is it >> I think so. Uh the speed the technical services I don't foresee that adjusting down like the transportation other pieces when you're looking at and I'll jump I'm going jump back here real quick before I get there. So when you're looking at these expenditures I jump too far. I did. So you you'll see expenditures here like uh period expenditures mean for the month and then incumbrances outstanding. So this is the money we've actually what's reserved. It hadn't been spent yet. Uh but you also see year-to- date plus
074incumbrances. A lot of the money if it's showing a negative over here, we most likely still have quite a bit of the money in com at that point. Not necessarily that we're going to spend it all at that time, but um based based on our our spend past spend history and what we're looking at as far as what's remaining, we can kind of make a a pretty good judgment on what's remaining, what we're going to actually spend for the rest of the year. If you when you go, that's why I was kind of telling, can you see those? I know that's small there. Let me make it I can barely see it up here. And buy your glasses, Dr. Right. >> And there in the office and if I can follow up on the year-to-
075date budget line item, which is the last column there. Um is are we running a fiscal like June 1st to June 1st? Are we talking January through >> it's July >> July 1st through June 30th. >> So of course these reports are based on that that period. So this period is through the end of February here. Okay. >> But this is what I'm kind of talking about. So if you see uh let me go through one like for instance we'll look at professional look at this line professional architect here. Uh we still have 398,000 encumbered there based on POS. So you will see a negative there, but most likely we won't use all that 398, but in certain situations. So, uh, when you're looking at across there, and this is the security right there. You
076see the 1.7 that's going to be realized because those are actual expenditures there. So, okay, >> I'm going to jump back up to the other part real quick. Any questions? Any additional questions? Good question. I typically don't highlight the things that we're doing well besides the salary and benefits because those may come in a little bit, you know, less. We're going to have some payouts at the end of the year uh based on contract changes. So, if you had compensated absence, basically uh vacation time and you're going from 12 month to 11 and a half or whatever less than a 12 month, we pay out that uh acred vacation. So going to fund balance update and basically a fund balance is just a snapshot uh taking what your current balance you had rolled over from
077the previous year what you've collected in revenue versus what you've expended in that given period of time. So this fund balance if you you'll look at the chart later it grows grows and uh shrinks. Uh right now we're on the shrinking side until we actually get our our next major uh influx of tax money in latter part of April early May. Uh so operating fund balance is currently 37.9 million as of the end of uh February. Capital improvement fund balance is 42 million. Federal fund balance you'll see that some months being negative. Uh all federal funds are based on a reimburseable rate. So depending on the timing of this uh a lot of times we were waiting on reimburseable. I think the biggest part on here was the magnet school grant. We were waiting from
078uh from the feds to get reimbursed on that. So that's why it's important to have a fairly healthy fund balance. uh uh you're going to have times of lean leanness uh with tax revenue. Plus, if you utilizing a lot of federal funds, you're going to have to be able to get through that that period of time waiting on that reimbursement, which is usually about 30 days. So, >> Char, >> and are all of these funds individual funds, meaning we cannot utilize individual funds from one to the other. So, if one is negative, we're floating ourselves, I imagine, >> from cash elsewhere, or how are we floating ourselves when there's a deficiency? >> So, typically the float is from operating. Okay. >> So, yeah, we don't float from another federal funded source. So, uh we spend
079that federal those federal dollars. Well, it's title one or uh 6B or whatever is maybe a special grant. Uh we and it's actually pulled automatically in our system on I think it's the third site of the month from AppScan. Uh some we actually have to go on different federal websites and actually draw down a few of those specially. But yeah, >> Mr. Bailey. Yes, sir. >> Real quick, I I'm guessing this would be okay to speak on. I'm just going to wait till board commence, but you mentioned I know you mentioned paying out the acred vacation for the associate employees going from 12 month to 11 and a half. So, um had some concerns shared with me about that about the early childhood and the K through 8 principles. We know that they went from
08012 months to 11 and a half. Um it was stated that it was going to be 10 days and then they're also going to lose like you talked about the vacation 15 vacation days. um high school and other 12-month personnel lose 5 days. So, in the last 48 hours, I received some concerns speaking on uh they received information saying it's going to be an additional 5 days. Can you speak to is that true? And then can we speak to the whether it's 25 30 days that this group is sacrificing versus the 5 days this group is sacrificing? >> Okay. And I guess I can speak on I may call Miss Burgess up but all 12 months of aluminum 5 days. So uh we're going to lose 3 days I think the week of uh Thanksgiving
081along with the day before and the day after the 4th of July. So that's five. So we're going from 245. We were 250 when we went through the big reduction. I think it was a 2014 15 when everybody got together we lost 5 days then all 12 months. So 12 months is went from 250 to 245. Now 12 months is going to be 240. uh in order for uh them to be 11 months or 11 and a half months, they're going to lose that five plus another five. Is that right? For 10 days. So they're going to be 235 the 240 230 days. That's 11 months though, right? >> 11 and a half. >> 11. Okay. >> Cuz remember the >> that is right. I'm I'm getting Yeah, I'm getting the quarter mixed up. So
082it's going to be 230 days. That's why I needed Miss Burges up here. >> So So it is an additional five. >> Yes. Everybody's moving five. Correct. >> So they're going to be going down 10 days below because they're going 11 and a half. So each five days is a quarter >> correct month. So >> So it's 15. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Most of So elementary went from being 11 month to 12 month. What? Three years ago or so? >> Two and a half. >> Yeah. >> Almost three years. Two and a half years ago. So they're they're being paired back down to 11 and a half. So, anybody less than 12 months want a crew vacation. >> Okay, >> Mr. Bailey, I have a question. >> Yes, ma'am. I was at an event
083on the 18th and the students took stage and they had some concerns and they voiced their opinions and one of the things that really troubled me was that they were saying that their food is always cold when it get to them >> and it's like they don't even eat it. It's like you know why is our food cold? >> Yeah. I want ask offline with school. I guess >> um you want me to tell you? I can tell you. I just wanted to bring it to her attention. >> And so I asked the principal if she wanted me to mention it. She said, "Sure, please do." But I think what happened was she found an option that will probably help prevent that. And I don't know if she wanted to stay where she was, but
084she was like, "Well, if I go to hall, I know my kids will eat hot meals." So, I'm trying to figure out why are the kids eating cold lunches? Now, let me ask you this. So, I think the cafeteria is closed. So, with that being said, if it's closed, then can we not purchase maybe a warmer or bring in uh a cook part-time because I think she said she only had like 50 students, but I still can't she the girl, what how did she put it? She said the fruit is hot and the food is cold. >> So, it's not a normal school, not a regular school. It's normal and regular kids. >> No, I'm saying the the site you're talking about. >> Yeah. U Hamilton LA. >> We'll check on it. So that >>
085will you please? And I I was noticing Trial Nutrition. They got a little money right there. Maybe they could buy a warmer or maybe we might have one in storage somewhere, but I just really don't think >> so. Typically, they're transporting food from another site site there. Typically, they have it in warmers. We'll check on it and see. That was not from a regular school, but we'll definitely Yeah, I had heard that. I talked talked to Mr. Ga occasionally, but she hadn't mentioned it. But >> okay. And then check on another issue I wish you would check on is that um when I was at East, I was talking to um a staff member that worked at um Carver, Washington, and they were committed the the buses that were were supposed to come and pick
086up the students and transfer them to Hot Springs, and the bus did not show up. And I can't figure out why. if you committed to taking these, I don't care if you were just a kid and a half. If you committed to taking the kids to Hot Springs, why didn't you show up? So, they called and it was something to the effect that we got this to do and we got that to do. That that's not going to work. Will you please check on that? And I really think that they owe that principal and that staff member an apology because you committed to that. We're not going to do the kids like that. That's not good. So I I guess for all the board members, if y'all come across those situation, have that principal or
087somebody, it's somebody at the school that's over there that can email us and get it. And we hear it all the time. So I know we're on the financial part here, but you all can send those requests through the superintendent and it however you all want to send them. I guess typically protocol goes through superintendent copy us or something on it, but we can address it accordingly. So >> I appreciate sometimes more to the story than you >> being told too once we investigate. True, but we always check them all out. All right. Thank you. >> So, child nutrition balance, you see 1.8 million. Uh that mean that goes up and down a little bit. So, they uh they miss six days of meal service, too. Uh so, they're going to be, you know, get
088a hit a little bit, but this is one thing we really tried to make sure we always been in the black and child nutrition cuz most districts around the state have to contribute to get their child nutrition programs out of the red. So, uh, Stephanie Walker does a great job and her staff to make sure they regulate, uh, staffing and, uh, cost. So, and food cost is going to go up is gone up quite a bit. Just like gas cost has gone up, food cost is rising quite a bit. So, uh, whatever balance we have here probably be diminished a little bit in the upcoming years if uh, everything stays like it's going now. So as we go to the next page here, this is kind of pictorial of our fund balance and you can
089see uh what's in the yellow part or golden color is our our fund three which is our capital improvement fund. So and it depicts over the last uh since July 1 of 23. So you can kind of see we've had quite a bit of money that we've spent on different projects whether that was uh finishing out uh Lacy or uh maybe finish out uh uh Southwest Lacy. We have of course Park V project and we have Little Rock uh West as well that's uh going up and completion was scheduled for next spring with opening in the fall. uh a lot of projects we've done over this last few years with the hundreds of millions we've got uh from our debt restructuring along with the last 75 million as well. The pardon in the gray is
090our actual fund one and fund two is outside what we call our our general operating fund. You can kind of see can you see my cursor there? This the part we talk about. This is the scary part here. This is the part where we're talking about >> we don't want to talk about it. >> Well, we talk Yeah, we going to talk about that's why we're talking about the 12 to$15 million reduction. uh because we have to be in a situation where this is stable here. You really can't when you get to this point right here and you can see it's below the line a little bit. So we waiting on some reimbursements that point uh you're you're jeopardizing making payroll. So we don't want to be in that situation where we have to hold
091never want to hold payroll but even hold invoices back from uh our vendor. So but right now we're healthy. We'll get another we'll continue to spend that down over the next month or so until we get our next money in uh May and hopefully we our projections are good. So we typically have been pretty conservative on thee on our projections. So we've come in pretty much where we projected. So I spent a little more time than I usually on this but this is all the detail behind kind of what I I covered. So you're going to have about three pages of revenue different revenue sources here you can go through as well. Uh we'll be diving deep I'm sure in a lot of this stuff a little bit in the upcoming months of course and
092then you get to your actual expenditures after after this page as well. So it details all the various expenditures we have and then the final section uh shows you our fund balances and different funds. So when I'm talking about uh the operating fund, general operating fund is made up of all these funds in fund one along with fund two you can see the different revenue sources. We have quite a few revenue sources out there. >> Mr. Bailey, can I ask one more question? So like on that income revenue line, you know, I always look at what's the to date, right? And and if we're not at least 50% unless it's an expected piece, those are the ones that that jump to concern. So, when I look at like student organization, events and activities, sponsorship picture,
093is that typical for this time of year and and then it escalates in the springtime or are those one-offs that we're just not used to? >> Are you on revenue or you defined balance? >> I'm on the revenue side right now or might be Hold on. >> Yeah, this is year-to- date revenue. >> Which account? >> So, it's page seven. So, it's the ones that are like 40, 30, 45. And I mean, you and I can talk about this offline as well, but >> you know, those are the numbers that I always look at right away. is that anything that's below 50 60% collected year-to date and the these are fairly large budget line items 180,000 300,000 600 300 it's like student organization membership dues all of those is that typical that that kind of
094stuff comes in in the spring is that why >> a lot of it comes in the spring and it's on a different funding source is on like what's called an activity fund >> so they wouldn't spend it unless they have it but if you look at this line like these large amounts like this uh ESA which is enhanced student achievement which is 15.6 million. You can see our collection here is 63%. That's something the state gives us every month. So those are guaranteed. So typically the things I'm putting on the summary are outside the guaranteed amount. Most of the state revenue here is guaranteed uh for a minimum and sometime you may get a little bit more depending on enrollment. So, any other questions? >> We finished. >> I I am I'm waiting on if
095y'all have >> five minutes. Okay. The chair will entertain a motion. The >> chair will entertain a motion. Y I always I always jump in because I get awkward in silences. Um obviously I move the LSD board of education approve and accept the February is this March or No, this is February 2026 board financial report as submitted. >> I second. It has been moved and second that the LRSD board of education approve and accept the February 2026 board financial report as submitted. All in favor? >> I. >> All oppo. Any opposed? Unanimous >> communication and communication engagement. >> I almost forgot that this was on here. Pam, if you can come up to um assist me with this, but I shared with the board um I think recently last week that our partnership um and
096for those new board members, we um issued an RFP maybe a year ago to do some work around marketing, branding, and recruitment. And MHPSI um was awarded the the contract. They um have completed the research phase, all of the focus groups. I I think some of you were involved in some of the focus groups. that gave us a very detailed um report and roadmap. Um we were getting ready to enter into phase two um of the work for them uh to execute a lot of the recommendations um from that particular report and then we were made aware of a conflict of interest. Um I don't know what the exact conflict of interest is. is I have some assumptions, but I'm not going to publicly state those assumptions. But um they um have fulfilled the part
097one of their agreement with us and um are no longer going to be partnering with us. Um, so what we have done, we have re uh revised the RFP and our hope and goal is um, and let me just say this too, we've only paid them thus far a very small amount um, less than $20,000 um, which um, is very insignificant compared to what they've done thus far. So, we're not necessarily losing on the financial end. I am sad that we aren't going to be able to continue working with them, but we are going to reissue um an RFP. I think it's going to go out tomorrow. >> It's going to go out tomorrow. Um and we are looking for um an agency to actually pick up where they left off um to actually help
098us to execute um the recommendations in the report that they shared with the board a couple of weeks ago. Um but just wanted to make everyone aware of that. Um well I'll keep the rest of that to myself but just wanted to make sure that um the board was aware that Pam is there anything else that we need to share? Okay. >> Okay. >> Director, right? The only question I had about that um will have to like just start over with. >> So, no, we are we have completed the way the the original RFP, we've completed part one. So, we've done the research, we've done the focus groups, we've gotten feedback, um we've gotten a plan of action of what to do. So, this RFP is going to solicit a company to pick up where
099we've left off to actually help us to execute the recommendations that MHPSI gave us, not to start all over again. >> And how long is that process typically since it was ready to roll and >> the RFP process? >> Yeah, for the part two. >> So, it has to be posted how many days, Mr. >> Bailey? I think it's like two weeks. Two or three weeks. >> Okay. um two or two or three weeks to post it. We'll get the bids and we're looking to make a decision soon. Our goal is so there's a lot in the recommendations um commercials some marketing stuff some branding stuff um and we want to have that all those things in place by September October as we get ready to do open enrollment for the 27 >> 28 >>
10026 27th school year because yeah for the No I don't >> this is 26 whatever whatever school year is coming up. So, we're we're we're hoping we'll get someone uh identified quickly um that can help us uh execute some of those recommendations. >> Okay. I have been uh just paying attention and I didn't want us to lose that traction. So, I'm glad we moving quick. Okay. >> And it actually is going to coincide with this some of the boundary conversations that we got to do, some of the viability stuff uh process that we're working with uh solution seekers. A lot of this stuff is going to be happening simultaneously um because several recommendations will be coming to you from the marketing RFP, from the viability process. We've got some things that we're thinking about um
101putting in place to help with branding, recruitment, and some some other decisions, big decisions we have to make. So, it's going to be a busy fall semester. >> Okay, great. >> So, how do we prevent on the second phase what we ran into the first phrase? How do we prevent having another conflict of interest? Is it something that we learn from the first phrase? >> So, this was not uh on us. From what I remember in our conversations, they did do due diligence prior to um uh submitting the bid. And from what I remember, their exact words were they overlooked or >> Well, they said that they were not made aware that there was really a conflict until uh the information was published in the newspaper that we were in partnership with them. Okay. >>
102And the other party indicated that it was a conflict of interest. So, >> okay, >> that is how that developed. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Miss Smith. >> Well, we're going to keep rocking and rolling. Um it was a very detailed, thorough um they did a lot of good research and gave us a lot of good information. So we have a very clear road map of what to do. It's just that some of the um some of the recommendations our staff can't do by themselves and so we need um an agency to help execute certain parts of that. >> Okay. >> Thank you ma'am. >> All right. Moving right along. Policy personnel and legal. Oh, uh, Ray Hart, are you there? >> All right. while she is queuing him up. Um I don't even remember
103how long ago this was, but at some point in 2024, uh we um heard a report from Ray Hart, who is executive director of the council of great city schools, of which we are um a member district, um provided a uh proposal for the board to consider in terms of professional development um having a governance model. We we the board approved moving forward and the first step of that was to have a two-day retreat. Um we never got to having the two-day retreat. And so since now we have a new board, we invited Ray Hart to come back to um refamiliarize returning board members and to inform new board members of what that proposal was um for the board later to decide if this is um something that this board wants to pursue. So at
104this time I will turn it over to U. Ray Hart, who again is the executive director of the Council of Grey City Schools. >> Uh, good evening. Can you hear me >> a little? >> Is that Yeah, I can't tell if you can hear me or not. Can you hear me? Okay, >> a little. We're trying to get the volume turned up. >> I can talk a little louder. Can you hear me now? >> That's a little better. Y >> that's a little better. Okay, I'll talk a little louder. >> Um, so first of all, U. President Johnson, uh, Superintendent Wright, thank you for having me. Members of the board of directors, thank you all, uh, for having me. Um, as well, first, I want to say, um, congratulations to the new, uh, board of
105directors members, and congratulations as well to the returning board of directors members. I am Ray Hart. I'm the executive director of the Council of the Great City Schools and we work with, for those of you who don't know about the council, we work with 82 of the nation's largest urban school districts around the country, of which Little Rock is one. And we provide support for our member districts uh around the country. And um excuse me, I haven't talked in in a few minutes, so I apologize for the cough. Um when we uh what I'd like to share with you and I'll uh share my screen if I can. Uh right now I don't have uh the ability to share but if you There we go. Now I do. Um so I'll share my screen with
106you and quickly go through um a quick presentation uh to share with you just an overview of the services that we provide around board support. And I'll give you three um options uh for board support. um that uh are uh built into your contract. Uh so you'll uh see what the board approved previously, but the first of which is um the first option is a four to five hour workshop by uh one of our what we call subject matter experts. Uh that individual is Dr. Barbara Jenkins. She is uh former superintendent of Orange County Public Schools, but provides supports to some of our boards as a kind of quick introduction to uh board governance, what board governance looks like, etc. Um and uh as I share, she does uh typically about a 4 to 5
107hour uh workshop. The second uh which you'll see and I'll go through in a moment uh is we also provide um two-day workshops um and we can just do a single two-day workshop and step away um and let the board um um provide you know develop its own governance processes from there. Um we call that um process a student outcomes focused governance two-day workshop. You'll see that on your screen. uh that is a part of your contract and we can do that two-day workshop only. Uh the third option is what we call coaching for boards and board supports. And that is a two-year um option where we come in and we provide coaching support for your board. That includes uh the two-day workshop that I just spoke of a moment ago. uh as well as
108two years worth of coaching and board support uh to really build the structures, the infrastructure and I'll show you what that infrastructure looks like in a moment uh around board governance um and what it means for the board uh to provide governance and oversight to the school district. Uh so I'll go through those right now. So I just want to be clear uh there are three options. One is to bring in a subject matter expert uh to do um four to five hour workshop with the board. two to do a two-day workshop with the board. And then the third option is that two-day workshop plus two years worth of coaching. Um what it looks like is this. We uh often say, and you'll hear us say this over and over, student outcomes don't change until
109adult behaviors change. Uh and one of the things that we'll look at closely is how the board in particular focuses its time and attention on student outcomes and the actual performance of students in the district. And one of the things we'll have you go through uh for example is your agendas uh your board agendas, what they look like, how much time are you actually spending discussing student achievement, student outcomes as a function of your current structure of your board agenda. One of the things that we'll note quickly is um the difference between those school boards and this was a study that was done in the state of Texas. Um but the difference between those school boards that had um just regular no board support at all. Uh and that's on the left. Student achievement scores,
110accountability scores on the left. Uh the center is those who part participate in initial training uh meaning a four or five hour workshop or a two-day workshop and the one on the right uh are the boards represents the student achievement changes for boards that actually engage with a coach for an extended period of time. And so you'll see uh that you see nearly double the student achievement uh improvement when you engage with a coach really build structures uh to push the district in terms of improving student outcomes. um you've expressed interest in improving your govern governance practices and so we believe in a continuous improvement process uh and working with our boards to better align uh what they do as a board to improve outcomes for kids. Uh and we do so uh in a
111process that really involves the entire governance team. uh that is the board and the superintendent together going through a process that usually takes about 24 months um to improve uh their partnership and improve outcomes for kids. Uh that process includes three different u elements. I'll go through those quickly. Discovery, development, and deployment. And I will go through those uh quickly on the next set of slides. Uh discovery is really um understanding where your board is, where you are as individual board members. There are interviews associated with that. I mentioned the two-day workshop earlier. Uh that two-day workshop involves um the school board as a whole with the superintendent uh going through a workshop designed to really uh enlighten you about where you are, what does governance look like overall. And then from that workshop, we
112actually develop a timeline with the board um that uh if you choose to do the two-year engagement, we'll develop a timeline with the board that really identifies uh what the pieces and parts that you want to put in place as a board to better govern uh the district. That will include a board self- evaluation uh determine where you are. It'll also include a board time use evaluation. And one of the things that we will strive for is the board increasing as I shared earlier the amount of time that you spend uh monitoring student outcomes and understanding how the district is improving achievement for kids. Uh the development is the second part. That development involves uh developing goals and guard rails um which um for the district which actually outline um the needs of the district
113and where you expect the district uh to grow and improve. Uh we do that through both a comprehensive um needs assessment or root cause analysis that is uh developed and supported by the superintendent and then um a community engagement outreach session um that identifies the vision and values of the district to begin to incorporate those into the goals and the guard rails. I would note that this part of the process is the board's work um and that board work is supported by the superintendent. So we say um with the superintendent but it's actually the board's work and the board's job to develop that. Uh then we will work through developing interim goals, interim guard rails which will be developed by the superintendent. Uh and then finally uh developing iterative process uh for the board to
114um evaluate those goals and guard rails over time. Uh those involve uh a board quarterly self evaluation. This is the third if step which is development. The board developing a self- evaluation, the time use evaluation I talked about a few minutes ago. Uh I talked also about the meeting agenda and what that looks like. Uh how it can be designed to make sure you're focused on students. Um a monitoring calendar uh which will actually um span the life of your goals and guard rails and then understanding what progress monitoring is. meaning uh if you develop goals, simply putting them on the shelf uh and forgetting that you have developed goals will not move the district forward. It's understanding how do we monitor uh the district's progress toward achieving those goals over time and we'll build
115that in for you. Uh there are some other things that we go through with you in terms of understanding your district policies, helping you work through uh what those policies are and how best to align those. uh as well as understanding your committees um as well as um under helping your community understand kind of here's where we're going, here's why, and here's um what it means for the community and what it means for understanding where our kids are. Uh so last talked a moment ago about uh deployment. So you've seen all these. I won't go through them uh in detail. Uh but one of the things you'll also add which you'll see at the bottom uh is uh quarterly implementation updates for your community so your community understands where the board is and its progress.
116Uh it is important to note that um this change is not a straight line. Um and so it's a continuous improvement process whereby uh your board has the opportunity to uh really improve the governance uh meaning the relationship between both the board, the superintendent and the community as a whole. Um some steps are smaller, some steps are larger, but we work with you through that process and through that journey. Um and it's worth taking on behalf of your students. And so we look forward to being able to um support you through that process should you choose to. Uh it is a board decision and so we look forward uh to hearing what you might decide based on uh the previous board's um opportunity to work with us. I will tell you that we currently work
117uh with about 25 school boards around the country among our 82 school districts. Uh we have a number of coaches that work with them uh on a regular basis. So, uh, looking forward to answering any questions that you might have um about, uh, our overall process. That's just a quick highlight of, uh, the work that we do and how we support boards. Uh, but happy to answer any questions that you all may have. >> So, can I start? >> Yes. >> U, so, Mr. Hart, this is Eugene Kitzky. So, I, you know, I here we are talking about budget constraints. Um, and I'm all for spending money when it is beneficial to the district. Um, I look at your slide that talks about the improvement in outcomes engaged in a coach and it it it
118looks amazing because at the end of the day, we're here for student outcomes. Can you give us kind of some specific examples of how this work over a 2-year period lends to student outcomes being improved? Right. because I hear the governance stuff, but if we could get specific examples, I think that would be helpful to then justify that investment. >> Now, you want specific examples from school districts or specific examples of how >> how this process how the work actually the process actually >> how the process would actually get us to improved student outcomes, right? Because what I'm hearing is >> happy to do that. Uh I think the first thing you want to ask yourself is as a board um how much time do we spend actually looking at and monitoring the progress of
119the district? You often uh quite often get um data reports etc. But the most important thing that you want to do as a board there are a couple of things that are critical. The first of which is understanding what goals have we set uh for actually improving outcomes for students and then at second understanding how you're monitoring progress toward those goals. Uh those two help and the best example I can give you when I was in a district uh one of the things that because our board was really focused on improving outcomes for students. Um, we as a staff spent far more time focused on asking ourselves how do we improve outcomes for students? Uh, how do we make changes uh in our strategies uh for improving outcomes for students? And in doing so, what
120you as a board want to do is incentivize staff to focus their time. And one of the things we'll share with you as a board is spending at least half of your time monitoring those student outcomes. what you're actually doing is incentivizing staff to spend their time monitoring student outcomes. But when you as a board spend time on other issues, um I know you know budget, finance, those are things are critical. Um transportation is critical. There are a number of other things that um you've uh discussed even this evening uh relative to um the school district. The most important thing you can do is discuss how are our students improving? Um, and when you do that, you drive the staff to do so as well. I can give you uh examples of districts around the
121country uh who have uh done the same. They've embraced the work and their um district has improved up. Give you Charlotte Meckllinburgg as example who started this work a few years ago. U they just set a state record for the greatest improvement in a single year in the history of the state um this past school year. So uh there are a number of districts who have embraced the word but by embracing the work uh asking you as a board to focus uh encourages and actually incentivize your district to focus as well. >> So so is it fair to assume that it's a consultative process but also engages best practices as you guys see across these 82 districts that you work with. Is that part of this or is it is that where some of the
122guidance is provided as well? >> Yes. One of the things that you'll note um if uh there's a link in your materials to our website um that says student outcomes focused government and at the bottom you'll see a a tab or a link that says resources. Those resources are the literature upon which uh we've based this process. Uh so it's not a process that we made up and we created the process but we created the process from the research literature about what um sound boards do and what successful boards do and so that um is the basis for the process and you'll see those in the materials. >> I hope that does that answer your question? >> Yes, it does. Thank you. Um I'm director Celandria Jackson and I did visit your website and look
123at the resources but I think my question um well my concern um Eugene he brought it up about the expenses of the program but um of the training has the was did the previous board have opportunity to >> can you I can't >> engagement with it and I kind of wanted to know I think he said that but I wanted to know what the feedback from you guys. >> I mean, I I can I I guess I was going to make a bit of a comment and ask a question, too. Um, so we looked at this. So, a group of us, I want to say four or five of us, I know, Miss Johnson, Mr. Adams, and I, and then a couple other people, I think, went to a council of great city schools training
124at Harvard. um and a couple of years ago perhaps um and it was I thought it was phenomenal and had a great time there over the course of three or four days um working together and it kind of gave me a bit of a taste of what I thought our board could do on on this as well. And I do know this is expensive. Um I will very much acknowledge that and I know our board has historically engaged in kind of um everybody kind of does their own thing with training and one of the things I really like about this is that in lie of doing those kind of separate other trainings we spend time together doing this work and building our our cohesion as a board. When we voted whether or not to do
125this previously, we had one board member vote against it, which increased the cost by $20,000. So, one of the questions I had for this is if we do want to do this again, would we have the opportunity to vote again because a unanimous vote would decrease the cost by and I don't know if the I can't remember if the $40,000 was the decreased cost or if that was if it would be 20,000 off of that, but um but I do think that um one of the things I think could be really valuable out of this is that we all spend that time together and kind of have a bit of a shared some of us are new, you know, and we have a bit of a shared foundation upon which to build a really strong
126future for Little Rock Little Rock School District. And I um would I would be willing to give up any other board travel and other board, you know, other than our local required travel here in Arkansas or local required um training through the school boards association. I'd be willing to give that up in order to do this for the next couple years. I think that's probably less than what we've been spending as a board. over the last few years collectively. >> Mr. Adams, >> thank you, Miss Johnson. You're welcome. >> Yeah, I want to build on that. Um um you know, I think if I remember correctly and for the our newer board members, you know, historically we have had a individual budget of around $5,000 per person to spend for out of state travel and
127training. Seven of us, that's $35,000. that has not we've not been limited on instate trainings, you know, that we could we could go to as many of those as in the board in the district would support us and because we have to have so many hours of training per year, but those can be met by instate trainings. Um, the thing that really attracts me to this and I don't want to I'll risk being looked at as an old-timer, but I was I was on the board in 2010 to 15 and then 2020 to now. And we have tried a lot of different things. We have you know each of us have had done individual trainings. Nobody has done any more than Miss Johnson. Miss Johnson has been a champion at being trained >> and done
128doing things. We have done individual trainings. We have done we brought on in consultants for weekend training for a half day training and uh we brought in somebody for repeated a couple times you know for for trainings for us. And frankly to me we have never come close I don't think to to maximizing our potential as a board. We've we've continued to have the same kind of u challenges of working together pulling together with a common vision and and keeping the focus primarily on the students and not on other things. And uh and this model is something we've never tried which is a continuous coaching model. We've never done it before. We've done a lot of other things before, but this really intrigues me and I think it's worth a try. Um, because particularly if
129if we were together on it and going into it and I think we have a particular opportunity right now because we we are a new group. >> you know, we have three brand new people. Mr. Bali joined us not too long ago and and so we are a fairly really new group where we could >> have a chance to develop a cohesive team. And that doesn't of course mean that we always agree on everything we shouldn't because we should be take advantage of the differences of opinion and perspectives that we have. But that doesn't mean that we don't pull together and we don't work well together. But but we have never you we've asked teachers, we've asked principles, we've asked the administration and other people to be coached and to push themselves and to do
130more than they've ever done in the past. We've really not asked ourselves to do that as board members. >> And I think this gives us the chance to do that. And I'm I'd be really excited if we could do that. I think it's this is really a a unique opportunity with with a a new seven that we would have that we've that uh that really puts a lot of potential out there for us. >> Anybody else have anything? >> Um I just like to know if the 20,000 I'm like Anna is the 20,000 still available. >> Uh so u and I'll answer that question. I think that's a question for me. uh two things. The first of which is um we're a nonprofit organization. Um our interest is actually your best interest. It's it's your
131success is our success. That's all we care about. Um it actually cost me more money um to if you say yes, we want board training. I actually have to go out and fund raise for the additional portion of what it cost the council to provide the coaching services to you. Uh, so I'm willing to work with the district on uh on costs. So I know that your previous vote um had one board member um uh I can't even think vote against the proposal, but we'll work with the district on that. It's not it's not in our business. This doesn't make money for us. Um this is just an opportunity for us to provide support to you, but what we recognize is that in order for you to take take it seriously as well, it's got
132to be uh it's got to be meaningful for you. So, um I will be happy to fund raise the difference. >> Yeah. >> Can I maybe this is for Dr. Wright instead. Uh this to me appears to be more of governance and long-term where we're heading. Um, and I don't know if the rest of the board would be open to this, but being seven brand new people. Um, I wonder also if this board would be open to a Saturday for a few hours of us just having a new board retreat to just talk about what everyone's priorities are, uh, what's important to them. I know director Jackson and I've had some conversations before on on some things that are really important to her as well that I think would be helpful with this board coming
133new and then moving forward with this process as well because this seems very guided and is not really more open dialogue based. It's really there is a process here. So again, I don't know if the rest of the board would be open to that but but I think that may be a good way to start and then move into this. Uh, this makes sense to me, especially if we um are saying, "Hey, this is going to become our continuing education instead." To me, per Director Adams comments, it's almost a no-brainer. >> Yeah, I I would just Thank you. I'm sorry, Miss Johnson. >> I I just respond that to me that makes a lot of sense. I would be I think to have some type of a a team building type of experience along with
134something like this would would would make a lot of sense to me. I think both suggestions are great, but with council or great city schools, you know, when you run an election, you get these great ideas. I can do this, I can do that. People tell you you can do this and you can do that, but they don't actually tell you that you actually do have a lane that you're supposed to stay in. And so, I think with the coaching, the um whatever they have to offer, I think we should jump on it because let me tell you, it has made me the board member. I don't want to say I'm the best board member, but it has made me the D board member. It teaches me how to when to speak, when not to
135speak. What you have to say, you say it. You stay in your lane. The superintendent works for you. Nobody else does. And so, it's just amazing of the insight you would get because none of you've ever been a board member before because I remember when I ran my letter, they say, "Girl, you can do this and girl, you can do that and you can make them do this and you can make them do that." And then I became a board member. So I'm sitting here like, you know, I had to figure it out. And so finally I actually started going to a lot of I do a lot of conferences. I'm working on my presidential award. But I learned so much as a board member. I really really learned so much. And sometimes when you
136actually go to a conference and not necessarily that one, you actually bond with individuals. You actually sometimes you think you got the worst problems in the world and you can run to a school district got 400 kids and their problems are bigger than yours. And so you run into things like that and you talk to people and they share what they're doing, what's working and what's not working. And I just think anything like this and what you just mentioned, Mr. Eugene, would be very very good for the board because we want to stay cohesive and I know we all individuals and we all have different interests and that's okay too. I don't have no problems with that. Your idea is a great idea. Your idea is a great idea. You know, we can work on
137that. We can work on this. So, I think it would be helpful to do both things. >> Can a question? >> Excuse me. >> So, can I ask a question to speak up? I can't hear you in the mic. >> Uh, this question is for you, Ray. Can you clarify with the two-day the two-day retreat? Um, I vaguely, vaguely, vaguely remember the the person that we were working with before talk about, let me just ask directly, how much leeway do we have? I'm thinking about um, director Kinsky. I was going to put an N in there, Kinsky, but I know it's not. Um, director, you >> I can't hear you. You're trilling off. >> You can't hear me. You said how much leeway and >> in the two-day retreat, how much is there time for
138the board to do what um Eugene just suggested or is it all scripted based upon the council's process? >> Uh most of the two-day retreat is scripted based on the council's process, but you will the process actually does take you through some some group thinking together and talking together. So the whole process encourages that conversation um that was just discussed. Uh but yes, it is all scripted, but there is opport there are opportunities to talk to each other during that scripted process. >> So Dr. Wright, a follow-up question for you. When I look at this agenda, it says there's no cost for the evaluation report generated from the evaluation. Has that report has that already been done or has that not been done yet? >> That was done with the previous board. >> Okay. Okay.
139So that that report was produced. But is that a report that needs to be done a new with a new board? >> I would think so because it first involves individual conversations with each of you and if Yeah, I would. >> And that predates from my understanding the engagement and starting the two-day piece. >> Yes, that's the two from what I understand the two-day retreat. Part of that is built off of the information that is produced from the from the first part from the interviews. I know that there's no asked for recommendation here on the agenda. Um, but I would be open if everyone else because I I'm just worried about time at this point, right? We're about to be in spring break. People are off for the summer. If this is something that we
140all are collectively, the seven of us in agreement on moving forward, I would actually prefer that we move forward and and start that process as quickly as possible. Um, and I'd be open to a motion for that if if everybody else on the board is collectively in agreement that that we're moving forward in this direction. >> I just had one question. Um, Mr. Bali. Director Bali, were you involved in the first time or I know they said you >> uh I might have had a conversation with the greater with the council of greater uh city schools, but I was not around when they went to the training at in Harvard. I I joined in December 2024. So, okay. >> I'm just a little bit over a year on the board. >> Okay. Thank you. If
141I may uh on the previous question, um if I may on the previous question, we can actually we can actually do the interviews uh and incorporate those into uh the actual training without having to wait to do a formal report uh so that it's uh if you've uh scheduled a two-day training uh we can do the interviews ahead of that and then incorporate uh the feedback of board members as part of the process. Oh, go ahead. >> I hope that made sense. That makes sense. >> So, so a question, uh, Mr. Hart, if if we were to vote to proceed with this, uh, even whether it's tonight or at our next meeting, but if we did tonight, and if it if it was um, what would be the difference if we have a unanimous vote
142or if we don't have a unanimous vote, what would that what would be the practical implications for that for us? Um, so we've actually changed our contracting process. Um, and the the contract that you voted on previously, uh, we don't currently offer, but I'm willing to honor that. Um, and so I'll honor the previous agreement that we had in place, um, and we can move forward from there. So, does that mean >> does it mean that that does it make a difference for us going forward as far as cost whether we have a unanimous vote now or not? >> It would. That's why I'm saying I'll honor the previous vote. Um what we currently do is only offer um the 40,000 um contract, the total contract. So we don't we actually don't offer the other
143the previous contract that you voted on uh any longer with boards. >> Okay. >> But I will I am willing to honor that for you. >> So So board members for me if if if it um if it makes it sounds like it would make a difference. So, if somebody has a concern about going forward tonight, then I would I guess I would hope that we would we could speak up and and know if if somebody felt like they couldn't support it today because if if not, then let's give it some more time to think about it and talk about it. But if we're all in agreement, I just don't want to penalize us, you know, if somebody's not ready to make that decision tonight. >> I'm not ready to make that decision tonight. uh
144the $40,000 to do this training if it's going to involve traveling and planning ahead to do all of that since I've been on the board, we haven't even been able to meet here in Little Rock together and not spend that type of money and get an agreement on a Saturday afternoon, a Friday afternoon. And so I would think that we would at least need to do something here in the city that doesn't cost as much. use one of our Little Rock school district buildings that won't cost any money to meet other than somebody being able to open it up and lock it up later. I mean, uh, >> this one is here. >> Okay. But I'm saying without spending that money. That's what I'm saying. >> So, director, uh, Bali, if I could if I
145could clarify for you, uh, this coaching process um is actually are coming to Little Rock um, on every occasion. So there is no travel for board members unless you decide that you want to do a retreat. Some of our boards decide for example that they may want to do a retreat you know outside the city um uh someplace else in the state. Uh but the this particular coaching support is our providing we actually provide two coaches to you uh and those coaches will come to you uh and we come to you um either virtually or in person as often as you request or as often as needed. So, it's um that's why over the two-year process and that's what you're essentially the expense what you're paying for is ongoing coaching support uh throughout the year
146for two years and we come to you. >> Thank you. Thank you. And I'm I still feel the way that I was saying it earlier, like before we make a decision to spend some money on some training, let's see if we even got some buy in for free first and then make a decision on a vote because we don't have to vote tonight. >> If we can't come together as a board to work together without somebody coaching us to do it, I don't see how I I don't see how we even showing our commitment. Does that make sense? >> It makes sense. Um, in my opinion, I like um what Eugene said, which kind of goes along with what you said as far as us doing something here locally and maybe sooner rather than later
147to stick to the agenda. we received the information but um we don't have an emotion on it but if we can get together in a setting then we can decide collectively unanimously if we want to do this or not. One one other one other thing I I think we could think about and and I don't want to press something if we're not we don't have the readiness of because we could do some more talking but I do think on the cost perspective at least I would be open to the thought it if we followed our current practice of $5,000 a piece which would be a total of $35,000 per year we one option we could have would be to say for the next two years We're not going to travel outside of the state. We're
148going to be here. So instead of paying potentially $70,000, we're going to pay $40,000. So this could actually be a cost savings for the district to to go this plan if we chose to do it in that way. >> Yeah, I understand the math on that, too. But I I haven't traveled in the last year, so I didn't spend any of the 5,000. All I did was do uh ASBA trainings. So, you know, that didn't I didn't I I've never spent anything when it cames to reimbursement on mileage or traveling or booking a hotel. I did all of my trainings. I did trainings on my own that I booked I mean well registered for. So, >> yes. >> Is there an expiration on this uh offer? >> No. No expiration. That's why I'm sharing with
149you. My interest is in supporting the board and supporting the school district. There's no U. So that's why I'm honoring even though we don't offer the contract that you voted on anymore. I'm willing to honor it. >> Okay. Thank you. Can I ask a question? >> Yes. >> Um Ray, can you hear me? >> Yes, I can. >> Option one that you mentioned before with Barbara Jenkins doing the four to five hour um board governance training. Is there a cost just with that? >> There is a cost for that. Um, and she um it's a cost that's only it only cost us, but uh she charges that cost is usually about $6,000. >> Okay. >> Um for the board. >> Um is it okay if I jump in with one other question? Um I think
150one of our biggest challenges that we had previously in getting a date on the calendar was scheduling outside of a board meeting time. And I would just encourage us to, and I will be honest, sometimes those were were me. I have a lot of weekend work with my job, um, my day job, and I know some others in this room do too, and I have kids in sports and all the things. I mean, it's it's hard to find a weekend when seven or eight or 12 grown-ups can, uh, all get together for two days. Um, and I know we all have childcare needs and families and all the things. Um, so I would just encourage us to use our board time for these conversations. Um, everything is foilable anyway. like we will have media I'm
151sure if we go to um if we go to a weekend retreat. So I would just encourage us if we want to have a board discussion about what we want to do for something like this I would encourage us to use our board meetings for that and then maybe book out and try to find a date that we could all um that we could all make this work and and maybe we could go ahead and do like a doodle poll for the next six 6 months or so and see if there is a time when we all align and um and then we can come back and maybe Mr. By that, that could help alleviate some of the concerns about whether or not we can all get together. Um, and if we can go ahead
152and find a time, that would help us feel confident that we were ready to to all dedicate the time to to do something like this and help us support our vote. So, >> since I'm new here, >> just just so you know, we um we do ask the board to do the two-day retreat um kind of together in consecutive days, all the board members together in consecutive days. After that point, most of the the coaching can occur um during board meetings or um in smaller smaller chunks of time. >> Since I'm new here, um I just like to ask like his suggestion on a Saturday and you're making some valid points, could we all agree on like on a Thursday that's not a board meeting to Yep. have two or three hours like you were
153saying for a Saturday like from 9:00 to 12. We could be here from 5 to 8 because that's happened before. It doesn't have to be on a board meeting Thursday and it doesn't have to be on a Saturday. It could actually be on a Thursday just at a different time frame and that's I know we're not deciding tonight. I just wanted to know is that okay? >> I mean I'm I'm good with I mean as long as we have notice and you know all the things. >> Um Okay. Yeah. >> So, is that something if we consider doing? Are we going to bring in the council of great city school maybe virtual? Are we going to bring in a person from ASBA or who would we bring in to host that meeting >> or is
154it just something we want to get together and do which we have? >> So, my initial suggestion would be that you know it would be the eight of us including Dr. right? Um and and really just a big old piece of paper, like one of those big notepads, and start with what's important to us, why are we here, right? Why why why are we doing what we're doing? And what are the ideas that people have to improve the district? Um just to to kind of get a cohesive vision of where this board wants to go, right? because this is a different group of seven and I think having some common goals and objectives would be helpful and that actually might steer us in the direction of of going towards this governance piece that Mr. Hart
155is talking about as well. >> I I do I have really strong feelings on the value of facilitators. Um I don't know maybe it's because I studied that in grad school it's because what as what I did at the Clinton school but I feel really strongly that when you get a group of individuals together strong facilitation can make the diff the a world of difference in whether or not you achieve the outcomes and goals that you're set out you're setting out to achieve. Um I have seen badly facilitated conversations break groups apart. Um, so I just want us to be thoughtful about where we want to go and about throwing us into a room with a blank sheet of paper. Maybe that could work, but I I I also just want us to be thoughtful
156about it because I think I really do strongly believe that when you have a set of shared goals and a set of shared and I'm looking at Steph back here, I'm like, where's our Clinton school like facilitation and all these things? But I really do believe that it can make a world of difference in your intentional growth and development and collaboration versus a bunch of people coming into a room with their own ideas and kind of it being almost a battle instead of a let's get all of our, you know, buggies lined up and move in the same direction. We don't all have to go the same speed. We don't all have to do the same thing, but let's at least try to keep our our our caravan moving in the same general direction, which
157is positive outcomes for kids. >> There's there's my spiel on facilitation. >> Dr. Wright, >> I know I'm not a member of the board. Um I'm a part of the the board and superintendent team. Um but I do want to offer um a personal suggestion. I think before we get to talking about where we want to go as a board and superintendent team and ideas and suggestions, I do think we need a common understanding. Everybody up here needs a common understanding of what the role of a board member is, what the role of the superintendent is. I think we need to spend some time orientating everybody on this board in terms of some of the goals and things we already have previously set. Um, and I don't I'm just going to be honest, I don't
158know that that can be self- facilitated with this group. I really think somebody else needs to help get us all to a common understanding of what our roles are and how we need to work together before we start those type of conversations in terms of throwing out ideas and other things. I I just that's just my so can I just suggest that director Johnson and Dr. Wright work in tandem to figure out what is that best process? I think as the as the board chair um I'm open to whatever, right? Uh and I think that makes complete sense to understand where we are, right? To then figure out where we want to go and and I'm sure Dr. Wright has some great resources for facilitators that could get there, but I think we can leave
159that to the two of them perhaps. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah, I I trust your leadership and uh I trust that you can work with Dr. Wright. Uh my only suggestion would be maybe it will be opportunity also to get some understanding um or some some assistance with from the uh culture and climate department as well too. >> Definitely, >> you know, uh I see they had a lot of involvement in that black male educator summit and so I think that that would also be great. And honestly, yes, we do need to know our role as board members because we need to explain it to the community because sometimes they ask us stuff that has nothing to do with us being board members. So, I think we need to do a better job explaining
160to the community what our role is as a board member so that we can do our jobs better and they know what we should what they should have expectations of for us. >> I agree. >> All right. Dr. Right. We'll work on that. >> I guess we're >> Yes, you do. Any more questions? >> Okay. >> Thank you, Mr. Hart, for your uh presentation. We appreciate it. >> Thank you all very much. Thank you for having us and we look forward to the possibility of supporting you in any way that you might need. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Can I put in a selfish plug? I know we've got months and months before the Council of Great City Schools fall conference, but I would love >> and I know it's it's hard with
161people's schedules. Um, but I can tell you I've gone to a lot of different conferences. >> I've never The Council of Great City Schools fall conference is the only one of the only conferences that I ever go to that you get a chance to actually walk away. Um, you you learn a lot. It's it's member districts presenting. Um there's tracks for you know all the different roles in the in the school district especially board members and I don't think since I have been here we've never gone anywhere as a team um and I know people's schedules are busy but I just want to put a plug out if if there's any way that we all could could could go that I think that would make a a big difference and you get a chance to
162see um some of the things that the council has to to offer as well. And last year we actually did some presentations. The Little Rock School District, I think we did five presentations. And so, let me say this to the board members. If you have that five, I thought it was 6,000, but maybe it's 5,000. Don't feel guilty about spending your $5,000. That's what it's there for. If you want to go to the conference, you spend what you have been budgeted to spend. So, don't don't let it make you feel some kind of way. All you're doing is traveling and spending money, but that is your $5,000. If you want to donate it to somebody else if they run out, you can do that, too. So, don't feel terrible about spending your money going to
163a conference. And I would strongly recommend the Council of Great City Schools. >> Okay. Do we have dates on that? >> Where's the next? >> Do you have a date? Oh, sorry. Go ahead. >> When is the next conference? >> October. What state? Uh we are in October in Boston this year. Uh so this year we'll be in Boston, Massachusetts. Uh next year we'll be right down the street from you in Birmingham, Alabama. >> Okay. Boston. >> Uh both in October. And we'd be we'd be honored to have you. Um and the other thing that I wanted to share as well uh is I would encourage you all to uh kind of continue to visit. You mentioned um the National School Boards Association and others. Uh, I think the more exposure uh that you can
164get, the more support you can get, the better always. >> Thank you, Mr. Hart. Anybody have any more questions for Mr. Hart? >> So, it's in October, so we all have plenty of time to try at least try. October the what, uh, Mr. Hart? >> The 25th. >> I am not looking at it. >> Stephanie, October, >> the 21st through the 25th. >> 21st. Yeah. Oh, okay. Thank you. 21st. you're the 25th. >> Okay. >> I just added, Miss Johnson, if if we decide to go that direction is for one of the things we do that that I have found that to be really invaluable to travel with fellow board members and have that kind of experience. Miss Johnson and I have been to a number of cities together in the past. is strong. Um
165we talked about all three of us were we're were at Harvard. We've been at different places, but that has really been helpful >> um both in the learning and in >> um making connections as as board members. It's hard to make >> connections just up here. >> Are they still doing that Harvard conference? >> We are not doing Harvard this year. We're doing we move Harvard to next year. Um, and so we'll do it next summer, not this summer. And Harvard is Harvard is slightly different. Um, it's a it's similar to it's a 3-day, 4-day um, training, but it's not not quite the same as ongoing coaching. So, that's why you saw in that student achievement chart. Um there is a difference with ongoing coaching, but again I would encourage you all um continue to
166work and I think it was just shared uh continue to connect with work with visit with other board members um around your community around the state um and around the country uh because that their growth will will help you grow as well. >> Good. >> I look forward to as I shared earlier I look forward to supporting you in any way that we can. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay, moving on. We'll probably be home by 8:15. Yay. Review of parliamental procedures. >> Board members, I know this is the moment of meeting that you've all been waiting for. Everybody is super jazzed about this. >> Nobody more than me because nothing gets the blood pumping like Robert's rules of order. Um, that scoffing in the back of the room I think that that was a
167cough, not a scoff for the record for those at home. Board members, there are a couple of things that I'd like to like to begin with. uh the and as we think about how you conduct a meeting uh one is your role as board members and I know you've just had a very lengthy discussion discussing what that role is u and as President Johnson has mentioned the school boards association here in Arkansas has not lots of materials on what that role is what that function is for our purposes for your meetings uh I'm not going to drill down on all of that uh but what I am going to comment on is that as a school board member, your authority exists right here, nowhere else. You are in your role as a school board member,
168in your authority as a school board member to exercise your statutory power as a group, not an individual. Um, in the broad strokes, the board and superintendent relationship is pivotal. Dr. Wright carries out the day-to-day management of the school district. The board sets the policy, manages the finances, and works with superintendent to set priorities for the district. So, how does that transfer into our meetings? Right >> now, here's the exciting part. >> Bring it. >> This is this is Robert's rules of order. And I always like to say that, you know, when when I guess it was Henry Robert that dreamed up the the rules of order to start with, started with I I can't remember exactly, but like 12 or 15 pages to help his church group have meetings that didn't dissolve into nobody
169getting anything done. And here in the 12th edition, we're at like 700 pages. So for us and for you as a board, uh there's such a thing as special rules. Um and special rules will trump uh regular Roberts. So there are things that you will do as a board that you'll be like, well that's not in Roberts. That's absolutely correct. It's in policy 1.6 six which is attached to the agenda and I wanted to talk through a couple of things because you all have a particular mashup under Roberts of how the board operates. Roberts will be used for meetings of 5,000 people or 15 people um and in this case seven people. Now policy 1.6 six are the the special rules that the Little Rock School District Board of Education has bound itself by one.
170It sets a quorum. So without four people here, you can't conduct any business. If you have four people here, you can. Um that's the first thing. Uh no action gets taken without the quorum. You need to be physically present at the meeting or under that virtual allowance. to account for that. And there's a different policy on virtual meetings, but the the majority of the quorum voting affirmatively is is necessary for the passage of the motion. What that means is if only four f folks show up that you need three votes to pass your motion. You don't need a majority of the board. >> Uh it's the people present at the time and that's by policy 1.6. Um, second, and this is where it's going to get a little technical, all right? Um, because there's big
171Roberts when you have these meeting halls of a thousand people, and then there's little Roberts when you have a boardroom of people. And big Roberts does things like you only get to speak one time uh during any particular issue for debate. uh you're capped at 10 minutes under Roberts. You can't talk about it anymore. Um there's no cross talk. Uh there's no dialogue because in a meeting of a thousand people, you got to keep on track and so it's much more formal. In Little Roberts with boards, you can talk multiple times on any given question, uh which you all are doing this evening. Um, in big Roberts, you don't talk about anything until you have a motion on the floor. The motion doesn't mean that I think this is a great idea and we should
172do it. It just means I think we should talk about it. Um, so you can make the motion and be like, I think this is stupid, but let's have the conversation. Um, now under small board little robers rules, you can do just I move. You don't need a second. But under rule 1.6, you guys mash together big Roberts and little Roberts. Every motion has to have a second. Uh and that's by your local rule, which Roberts allows. And then as policy 1.6 says, all board members, including the president, shall vote on each motion following a second discussion of the motion. Uh, in big Roberts, the chairperson does not vote customarily. In Little Roberts, small board meetings, the chairperson is a member just like anybody else and has a vote just like anybody else and can
173discuss just like anybody else. The president's role, President Johnson. Enjoy it. The president's role is to make sure that the agenda is carried out in an orderly way and that everybody has their opportunity to be heard and that the everybody understands what's voted upon. So, as a housekeeping matter, one of the things that you may want to do and probably ought to do because anybody that puts their name on a ballot is a leader of some sort. You all are not shy, retiring, delicate people who don't say anything. you have opinions and you share them and by gosh you were elected to share them. So, uh to make it easier for President Johnson, it might be good to be recognized to speak just so that she can keep everybody in order because some of you
174all are bigger personalities than others. And if if we aren't careful sometimes in Little Roberts, somebody can kind of suck up all the oxygen in the air in the room, right? Miss Johnson is going to be very dedicated to everybody having their say. Um, but if you can route through her to be recognized, she's going to make sure that nobody's overlooked. And that way that keeps the meeting kind of moving in an orderly way. Now, here's the tricky part about voting and failure to vote under your local rules. Failure of any board member to vote while physically present in the meeting room shall be counted as a no. That means that if as a board we have the the discussion, we talk about the motion. There's a motion in second and it comes time for
175the vote when Miss Johnson calls for that vote. Failing to vote is a no. There is no abstension in that in that setting. There is a process for abstension and we're going to get to that. But under your rules, it is not okay to participate in the in the entire discussion and debate and everything else and then at the moment of voting be like I abstain. That's Miss Hudson's going to count that as a no. Um and then only the votes that you take in open session are legally binding. No votes or motions in executive session are legally binding, though a non-binding, unofficial, non-recorded vote may be taken in executive session to establish consensus. So that's part of the Open Meetings Act. Executive sessions, you don't you don't take votes back there. You don't take
176any action back there. You go discuss back there. You may reach consensus back there, but you come out here for your motions and your votes. Everything is in the open, consistent with the Open Meetings Act. Now, the abstensions part, and this is wonky, but it's particular. In order for a board member to abstain from voting, they must declare a conflict and remove themselves from the meeting room during the vote. What's a conflict? Well, y'all remember we took the oath and the oath was kind of weird because it makes specific reference to that code section in Arkansas law. That's the ethical rules governing schoolboard members. And generally, but not always, a conflict arises when you might have a direct financial interest in what's being considered by the board. So, for instance, if your spouse is bidding
177on a lawnmowing contract with the district, at that point, you can say, "Look, my spouse is bidding for this. Uh, theoretically, my spouse will share the money with me if they get this thing." So, I'm going to step out. You guys consider the bids. That's the the easiest and most clear one. Uh sometimes it can extend to an employer, but that's not always a direct conflict. So, it sort of depends on your level of of appetite for risk. If you want to be very riskaverse, then declare the conflict. Say, "This is my this is my job. I'm going to step out. You guys consider it. I'll come back in after you're done. without that declaring of the conflict and removing yourself from the room, you are still part of the deliberations. And so there is
178no abstension if you go all the way to the end and then h I think I'm going to abstain. Um, a board member who rem removes himself herself from a meeting during the vote due to a conflict of interest shall not be considered present at the meeting for the purpose of establishing a quorum until the member returns to the meeting after the vote. What that means is if you've got seven people here and one of you says, "I've got a conflict. I'm going out." Your new quorum is now six. So that means that you're I mean by the math your prevailing vote is still four but if one person's absence one person declares it you got five then your winning vote is three. You're treating that other person as if they're absent. So those are
179your special rules. Um let's see. It's 7:46. Let's talk about Let's talk about small boards for just a second. Okay. And I'm looking at um I'm looking at section 49.21 in Roberts. If you guys want to check my work uh procedure in small boards, um you can raise your hand instead of standing when seeking to obtain the floor. Uh again, we're less formal because there's only seven of us. uh the chair can see you. So, it's not the kind of thing where you got to walk out to the aisle and find a microphone and stand at it. Uh but get the chair's attention. The chair will recognize you. Um their procedure is motions need not not be seconded. We disregard that because policy 1.6 governs it and says every one of your motions needs a
180second. So that's an example of where that knocks out strict Roberts and we go with the local rule which Roberts allows. There is no limit to the number of times a member can speak to a debatable question. So if somebody brings something up and you're like that's a really good idea um that generates a thought in me that I want to mention in the group you can do so. uh informal discussion of a subject is permitted while no motion is pending. You guys just live that during the discussion on the council for great city schools. There's no motion, there's no action being taken and occasionally you'll see that uh particularly when the teaching and learning folks will come in. They're going to give you reports and information from time to time, but they won't ask
181you to be taking any action. They just want to keep you apprised to what they're doing. and you can ask questions and have discussion and that's completely permissible. Uh when a proposal is perfectly clear to all present, a vote can be taken without the motions having been introduced. Now that's practically that's big Roberts kind of procedure uh because they have a if you got a I'm going to tell you this real quick. I was in a group once where there was a it was like a 858 uh member body that was doing it. And so in order to even make the agenda uh they had all this pre-work to even be there because they had the greatest idea ever. They rented a space and they were like we got to be done by 7:00 because
182that's when our rental agreement runs out. So we either finish the business by 7 or the rental agreement's going to finish it for us. We have a fixed time to adjourn. And so they had to marshall up everything was going to be considered ahead of time. We don't exactly do that because you all have an agenda meeting generally two weeks before a regular board meeting where you construct your agenda and the things that you want to put on it. So, it's just an example of it's a little less formal, but in LRSD practice because you have an agenda meeting, it makes it more like big Roberts. And then the chairman, the chair may need not rise when putting questions to a vote. So, President Johnson can stay seated for these because you can all see
183President Johnson and she's not she's not hard to see or to make herself heard. The chairman can without leaving the chair speak in informal discussions and debate and vote on all questions. It just means that because President Johnson is serving as board president that she does not forfeit any of her rights or responsibilities as a regular board member. um knowing a little bit about President Johnson, she's not going to she wants to hear from everybody. She wants a free exchange of ideas. So, you'll be recognized. Um so, those are sort of the the processes for small board Roberts. Um, as it relates to how I will help you, generally, it's when you guys get creative >> um that I start having to flip through the pages in the book. And when you get really creative,
184I'll ask you to take a recess so that I can make sure that what I'm telling you is right. Uh, that doesn't happen very often, but it does happen from time to time. Now the normal process that you all have is there'll be a motion and a second discussion whatever that discussion is now as a process it's very much like what you all did earlier the motion is made and it's made with some detail the chairperson will repeat the motion because it's important for everybody to understand all right what exactly are we voting on most of the time that's pretty straightforward however occasionally when you get into amendments and such. Like for instance, if you say, "Hey, I want to change the mascot of West High School to the Ruffers." Um, and somebody says, "Well,
185that's not that's not awesome enough. So, I want to move to amend that we change the mascot to the Rowdy Ruffers." Well, then at that point, you're only voting on the addition of rowdy. That's it. That's the vote. And President Johnson will walk you through that and be like, "All right, everybody who wants to put rowdy in the motion, and then we'll take the vote." And then if it fails, great. We're back to the original motion of we're just changing the mascot to the ruffers. uh if it succeeds then we integrate rowdy into the ruffers and then we'll vote that main motion and that's generally how those things are going to work. Now this page up here is really for the more unique kinds of things. Um the kinds of things of let's move to
186ajourn. Um, now on the far side of that, you all will see that every vote that you all take is a majority vote. There's no two/3s. There's no no any of that that Roberts will allow for at times. Everything is a straight majority vote. And that's per your policy. And then there'll be times where you'll be hopefully this will not happen, but there'll be times where you'll be at 7:53 and you'll be like, "We've been sitting here for a while. I need a little error. Uh then you can move for a recess. Is that amendable? Yes. Is it debatable? No. And so that's just kind of a little handy chart. If somebody's like, I'm tired of talking about this, then you can move the previous question. Requires a second because your rules say it requires
187a second. Um and is it debatable? No. Is it amendable? No. You're just going to vote. we're tired of talking about it or not. And maybe a majority of you is like, "No, we're having so much fun. Let's talk about it some more." Um, you can do some other things like limit or extend debate. Um, I would love to advise on this, but I never have. Um, if if you guys came in and said, "I move that we have no discussion of more than five minutes on any agenda item in this meeting." That would be awesome to talk about. But I don't know that it would be likely to talk about and maybe it's not a good way to conduct business. That's you all are policy makers. You decide how much you want to discuss
188these issues. But those things exist. Uh you can always request information. You can always and a simple request for uh for information might be particularly after a longer discussion and Miss Johnson's really good at this anyway, but everybody's going to want to understand all right, what are we actually voting? So the chair will always repeat that motion before the vote so that everybody understands exactly what's being voted on. And if there's any confusion, then you can interrupt and ask the chair, hey, is this what are we what are we actually considering? Could you repeat the motion? You know, is it is it a amendment or is it the motion itself? And then the one thing that's really kind of counterintuitive about uh about the procedure and the process is that once you make the main
189motion, you know, we want to change the mascot to the ruffers, that becomes really unimportant because everything else will come in in priority over that. You have to knock out all these other motions before you get back to the main motion. So you can't if somebody wants to move to amend and says we want no we want the rowdy ruffers then all right well you got to deal with that amendment before you get down to the main motion again. Uh so those things will kind of come in order and some of those things will interrupt but and it's kind of counterintuitive but the idea being that everybody has their opportunity to be heard that everybody understands what we're talking about and what the business is so that the meeting goes through kind of in an
190orderly way. Um I know this is riveting for everyone. I'm happy to talk about Roberts more than you're interested in listening to it, but that's the kind of thing that'll kind of get us going. I think just as a housekeeping matter, the easiest things to remember are um and this is really just kind of a a favor to the chairperson u is to to be recognized by the chair. Um, and that's more of a courtesy to to the chair and to the other board members so that everybody's heard and everybody's heard from. And if you guys are like me, it's the kind of thing that all right, well, if I put my hand up and the debate goes on too long, I might forget what I might I was going to ask, right? Um, but
191has to be recognized by the chair. Please don't cross talk because then that gets super confusing. um and I can't follow it. And then um the chair is always going to state the motion, call for any discussion or questions or any other conversation, restate the motion prior to the vote, and then take the vote. Uh if you're in the room, you have a binary choice of yes or no. Uh failing to vote is a no. And then there's that special process for abstensions. So, Madam Chair, if there's anything you all would >> I just have a question. I remember when I um was elected in 2012 to 2014 and when we were getting ready to do a discussion, they would always just start with the director on the end. Uh director Bali, do you have
192anything you want to say? He would pass and then uh director, it would go that way all the way to the end. And then if we had another discussion, then they would start on this end and go all the way down to the other end. Is that legal? You can do that. >> From a housekeeping standpoint, there's nothing wrong with that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I'd love it if at some point, not tonight, but if you would kind of go over executive session for us as well and how that works, just to kind of make sure because like you can't join executive session virtually and things like that. >> I think that'd be helpful, but maybe not tonight. Any questions? >> Thank you. The other thing that is again, not for this evening, but
193to me that was a really steep learning curve and continues to be a challenge I think at times and we haven't had one in in I think over a year is employee hearings. I think I think that is a different animal in in and expectation for what our role is than some other things and what's appropriate, what's not appropriate, what's appropriate for us to say, not appropriate for us to ask, you know, those kind of things. I think that that kind of information for us to have a common understanding on would be really helpful >> in in very general terms and this this kind of spills over into board role and function. Um the board exists as a policym body but you also have sort of a quasi judicial role at times particularly in in
194these employee hearing settings. So the the simplest best advice before we drill down on it uh would just be that your role is to be objective and to um and to come to the facts with with no prior assumptions. Uh so administration should not lobby you on on any pending hearing and employees should not lobby you on any pending hearing. uh you're you're supposed to be impartial and to take in what you hear at the hearing. Uh so those are and I think there's a there's a policy that that treats that. I can't remember exactly which number it is in section one, but there's a revision to section one that you guys are going to see in the next few weeks. So we we can certainly talk about that more then or talk about how
195to conduct those uh at leisure. >> I have another question also. Um can you make board members aware that if there's a problem in the community in the school etc. If you have an extensive conversation about the matter or the event that if it does come to the board then you will have to excuse yourself. Is that correct? the more the more you get involved in it, the more that that it's going to impact your impartiality. >> Miss Johnson, just just thank you. Just one other comment because uh Mr. Kaz and I have talked about this and I've been delinquent in following up but we have talked about our previous board talked about this in past in the past um looking at developing some guidelines a policy and put some guidelines about conflict of interest
196for board hearings you know for instance if if my niece who has a child in the district if she brought a complaint against a teacher and that teacher ended up being in front of us then that's one of those situations I think I should recuse myself because my niece was involved in that and and just even the appearance of of un of you know of bias and want to avoid but I don't but we've had some sit some real situations like that in the past couple years and so um I hope to come bring something to you in the coming months that we could think about and look at that would at least give us more guidance than we have now >> and also So, when you're being emailed, do like I do. Send it
197straight to the superintendent and let the superintendent handle it. >> That is that is outstanding. Excellent advice. You will never go wrong by directing your questions, comments, or concerns to the superintendent. The superintendent will then figure out who needs to address it and he can delegate that to however he thinks best. That's that is excellent advice. Gold standard advice. >> Anybody have any questions? Thank you board members. >> Thank you. >> Wow. We're on number 10. Board resolutions. Are there none executive session? Will not be one. Board comments. Director Bali. >> Yes. Thank you. Um, >> you're welcome. >> Just um a few things that I wanted to just bring to the attention of the board. Um, since I've been on the board, we have not really I I can't remember at least had a
198conversation about uh the importance of our community schools and the things that they provide for the neighborhoods and in the community in general. And so I think as it would be good at some point to hear a presentation >> about our community schools and and and like I requested after we got to hear from the climate and culture department, I would actually like to hear from some of those site coordinators about some of the successes and some of the challenges so we can do a better job as a board and as a city supporting our community schools because they provide a lot for our students, parents, and our neighborhoods. So, I would like to have that on the agenda at some point sometime soon whenever that could be arranged. Uh the second thing I want
199to bring up um after visiting with the student advisory uh advisory board today, they reminded me that I did make a commitment to try to help them set up student voter registration days at their schools for the graduating seniors or students that will be turning 18 soon. And so, uh, after speaking with them again about it today, uh, I will be reaching out to the city of Little Rock and some of the people that are on their staff to see how we can get those set up some point before the graduating senior's last day of school in these schools so we could do voter registration with support from the county clerk, city, and whatever organizations want to be involved. uh so that we can ensure that our students graduate only not only with a diploma
200but they can walk across the stage with a voter registration card as well too. >> And so any type of support that we can do to set that up I'm thinking late April uh or early May. I think their last day is miday from what they told me. And so um yeah just appreciate any support and any contacts that people may have to help speed up their process. And uh the last thing I'll say is um there's an upcoming event uh family-friendly event on May the 23rd supporting our students. And it uh it just reminded me when we had the uh the theater students come in today how talented our students are in our district as well as the announcement during the celebration. It's an opportunity for community talent show that's free of cost. I'll
201be helping organize that. But it's also opportunity for our students to get involved so that they can perform at the Junth event as well uh by the uh put on by the Mosaic Templars and they can win some cash prizes. So it' be good to just not only support their talent but put some money in their pockets and that's May 23rd and I'll make sure that I send that to Miss Pamela Smith so that uh we can get that word out to the Little Rock School District students who are interested in that. That's all I have. Anybody else? No. Pass. Okay. Mr. Oali, I'm going to pass your information on to the League of Women Voters. And that's all they do is >> Yeah. Somebody did reach out to me already from >> They did.
202Uhhuh. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. >> I'm going to reach back out to her. >> Please do. >> Yeah. >> Oh, superintendent. >> Right. >> Go ahead. So, also, um, and Stephanie couldn't help with this as well, the the city, I forgot what their titles are, but the interventionists that work for the city, but they're they work in all of our high schools. I know they routinely do um voter registration as well, so we can easily and they're they're right there in the schools. We can easily coordinate with them to to make that happen, too. >> Thank you, >> Miss Johnson. If I could make a comment. >> Yes, we had I can't see Miss Dam. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Johnson. >> Just uh just a couple brief comments. One is I know
203a lot many of us received a lot of emails um just in the past few days from the Jefferson community and just uh wanted to thank those people who are very concerned about their school and and um for reaching out with their concerns and and um and I know that that we're going to we are working to clarify communication and and clarify the process so that everybody will understand where we're at. and we did not make any decision on those things tonight. The the other um just on a personal note, I was so impressed with um I really with all the experience at the state of the district event. So all the planning that went into that and the students who were there and the and the entertainment and Dr. You're right. I thought your
204address was excellent and but I was the most moving part about the whole evening to me the most was the last song that the the choir did. >> The the last song u for anybody who wasn't there, you know, um there were three songs done by this honor choir of elementary students and the last song was introduced as a song that came from the African-American culture and civil rights history. Um, we shall not be moved like a tree that's planted by the water. We shall not be moved. And it was sung in Spanish. Uh, and the introduction said it included uh people in the Hispanic community and it was sung in Spanish. We had a student who sang a solo in Spanish. Then it was sung in English and Spanish again. and particularly with the
205stress that many of our communities are experiencing right now um around our city and and beyond. It was incredibly moving for to hear them do that. So kudos to the students, kudos to the leaders who chose that and and thank you for that because it was extraordinarily meaningful. >> Dr. strong. >> Um, I was going to say something about Jefferson, but I just will also just say what Greg said and echo the thanks to the community um from Jefferson, both educators and staff and um parents who reached out um and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens there and having a new principal there in a few months um as well as at man and at Stevens I believe are the other ones that we're working on. So, um, and thanks to the district staff
206today who helped kind of troubleshoot some of those things, too. I know it kind of probably took some, uh, a lot some people off their tasks today. So, thank you all. Um, I did also just want to say I'm really excited to work with you guys. I think we're going to have a really great time together and um, we may be here past dinner time a few times, but um, I look forward to seeing y'all in a couple weeks. And um I always roll in about 5 uh 5:15 or so and try to cram down a dinner, but um it's really nice for the those who get here a little earlier than that uh to to I think sit and chat. And I think that'll be really nice to get to know you guys a
207little bit over dinner um and through our board meetings in the next few months. So >> I did want to say thank you all for welcoming us uh the district. I I just want to say that uh Dr. to write. Your team has been amazing on welcoming us at all of the events and I think I speak on behalf of both all three of us. It has been truly amazing. Little Rock School District, your team is amazing and they have welcomed us with open arms as well as our board. So, I just want to say thank you and we uh we really appreciate it. >> You're welcome. >> Is there anything else who capture our attention? If not, I do say the meeting is adjourned. >> All right, that's it through your first one.