Agenda Meeting/Board Work Session - Aug 14 2025

001All right. So, here we are, August 14th, starting the new school year. Want to go ahead and call the board meeting to order. All right. And so, well, you know what? We're actually going to do the work session first. All right. So, um, let's go first to 4.1, superintendent 25 through 26 evaluation framework. Dr. Right. >> What a way to start the meeting. So, uh, >> last week the board uh, did approve the framework and Mr. Rose, I did edit the document so that I was trying to say it without laughing. So, that the framework is there. Um but I did bring this back as a result of the uh discussion um the board was having during our last meeting. Um if there were board members who wanted to take another look at this to

002um if there were some suggestions or some um changes that anyone wanted to make to the framework. Um we are bringing this back. Um just in quick summary it is three different parts. The first part of the evaluation framework are the learns act targets and those are the three targets that are required. Um the only thing that is required by the learns act in terms of uh superintendent evaluations. Um and that's 15% and you see those three there. Those are really the same three learns act target goals that we have had for the past two years. Um and then the second part of the framework which is 35% of the total evaluation are the um progress towards strategic plan goals. And so there are 18 goals that we worked to identify that are all aligned

003to our priority outcomes on the strategic plan. And so that's that 35%. And then the last part um which is worth 50% of the entire evaluation are the um superintendent standards based on the ASBA evaluation. So again, we're bringing this back um to the board in case there were any board members who had ideas for changes or suggest suggestions or any type of edits to the framework. >> Questions and thoughts, edits, comments or modifications. >> Ju just a quick question just for clarification. Dr. I um like on the learns act targets which are required from you know uh from the state the percentages are the percentages are those discretionary for us to decide >> yes >> but these were the the ones that you' recommended I don't have any concerns with them I just want

004to be clear that those we have choices about the percentages >> yes >> the the you have choices about everything >> everything sure >> thank you >> other comments No, no, that you don't have a choice, but you have choices in terms of what the actual goals and targets are. These three are the ones that I suggested and proposed. It doesn't have to be these three, >> but it has to be you have to have a goal. Don't get me to quoting. You have to have a goal that focuses on the outcome of your schools that are C's, D's, or Fs. You have to one that you have to have one that deals with graduation rates. And I may be missing something, but Yeah, those are the two. I just have two that deals with

005graduation rates and not not just one. >> All right. Other questions and comments about the evaluation? >> Questions, comments? Okay. Um, >> no changes. >> No, if there were no changes and I think if we if we needed to I think that we were Yeah, absolutely. we have the session coming up to be able to do that. Okay. Very good. All right. So, we're going to move forward. And uh this was one that I wanted to include just because I felt it incumbent upon me to do so. >> No comment. >> Okay. >> Turn. >> So, 4.2 social media adolescent addiction litigation. This is um so we previously heard a pre presentation and entertained the question regarding the possibility of joining the lawsuit about social media and adolescent addiction. Uh and apparently the goal is

006to have these companies that um provide social media provide compensation abatement and change their behavior and practices going forward. And so I think that we wanted to look at this, at least I did, just to make sure of our position. Is this something that we'd like to explore further? You know, do we want to hear more about this? Do we want to, you know, how do we want to address this or do we want to entertain it at all? So, I just wanted to make sure we had an opportunity to do that. Mr. Bali, uh, >> you said this was a previous presentation. Yes. >> Do you know when the presentation was? for me? >> Yeah, it was. >> Yes, it was before you. >> Do you uh do you know who the presenter was?

007>> Yes, it was. >> I'm sorry. It was Eric Spencer Buchanan, attorney at law. >> Okay, I'll talk to him about it. I just want to make sure that Very good. Yes, I'm sure you did. I have many times. He is Yes. spoken to me about it. We'll leave it there. Um, so what are you all thoughts? Yes, sir. I hate to be so positive in a negative way. >> Okay. >> You know, if we made becoming part of the lawsuit and one there'd be money. Don't know how much it'd be, but there would be some funds come from it. Might not be much, but it might be a lot. I also want to get this out in the open. I read a lot last week about uh adolescent addiction to social media. I came

008away not 100% believing that it exists. I just uh I suspect that would be the defense that will be raised by the social media companies. They'll try to persuade people through some reports that I read last week that it doesn't exist and that there aren't any real addictions to these things and it's not their fault that kids spend so much time on it that they're going to try to pin it back on parents. I don't know what to believe about the science because it's psychology is, you know, squishy. It's never really solid def definitive numbers. So, I don't object to us joining the suit. Um, but if we're the least bit iffy about it, I'd come down on the side of let's not do it because of things I read last week. >> One thing

009I would like to share. Will you finish? I'm sorry. Okay. One thing I would like to share about it specific to the cost. What will it cost the district? We cap our fees for representation of school districts at a reduced rate of 25% and this is paid from any recovery we are able to make on behalf of your district. The only way a school district would incur a bill in this litigation is if a settlement is proposed. We recommend participation and the district decides instead to go to trial and losses. In that case, reimbursement of our cost in pursuing the litigation would be expected. So, I just want to make sure that you know, yes, there is a way to lose money. I want us to be clear about that. Yes, sir. >> Is there

010any data or any information being collected on students and incidents involving there like their phones in the school district and disciplinary actions and anything punitive happening >> in our district? >> Yeah. Is any record of what I'm saying? Um who would we reference? >> We would we probably will be able to produce like data on the number of kids who have gotten disciplinary infractions because of improper phone use but that would be the extent of it. So >> yes ma'am >> I don't know why something keeps sticking in mind that when they did their presentation it seemed like I thought somebody said that whether you join or not if they can prove that it's happening most likely all districts will get information to deal with the issue. So I would probably assume they need to

011come back and and update because I don't know why I thought I heard that >> because if they can prove that it's a problem then that means that kids in our districts are suffering and so that may kick off a >> a snowball effect. So I just feel strong that they >> the other thing I'm sorry M >> they should come back and just upgrade update whatever they're doing and where they are >> where they are. Okay. >> Um the other thing that um Mr. Heler mentioned was what damages would look like and what it would imply. So if there were damages, so for instance, if there was um if there were issues around behavioral health or something, would it be that there would be compensation connected to that? And so then we would owe

012a percentage of what that would, you know, um they would connect that cost to. So he was concerned that perhaps we would need more information about what they would connect with cost and what that would actually look like. So if there was uh something that was more emotionally based, would they actually equate that to some type of financial loss? So then we would be responsible for a percentage of that loss. So when it comes to compensation, that's actually owing anything to the to the actual attorney. So So he just thought we might need more information around the cost that we would incur. Yes, ma'am. >> Did I see? Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> I'm so sorry. You know, I would never overlook you. >> Intentionally, you said intentionally. >> I don't see the point. >>

013Okay. in joining this lawsuit >> at all. >> We have far bigger problems than this. >> This is not important >> in big picture. >> You know, Fedville, that's a different area. Now, if we were going to deal with the Fedville, Springdale, or whoever else, we would be in on that ruling that they came and they of course ruled against us. So if we do lose, it's a lose-lose situation to me. Period. Because if we lose, we take more money out of our district than they're taking now. And since they are beginning to take money more than folks know, I don't see the point. That's their problem. Did they ask us about joining this before I mean joining when they were suing against the ten commandment thing. No, but they want us and we got

014bigger problems than this. I don't see the point us getting in this. None. Yes. No. I think >> this is the same um lawsuit that was brought to us about a year and a half ago. >> It is and And this is um a suit that like districts across the country are signing on >> uh to do. Um and I I believe a few more districts in Arkansas have signed on. Um but I I do want to just address the the um our children being addicted to their phones. I think we all are addicted like not only our our students but even adults are addicted to um technology to some degree you know I mean if you just look around our table over almost half of us we have our um our devices and um

015I do think that um it is a collaborative effort to do uh technology and social media education with our um students. However, I would like for them to come back because I remember they gave us a a nice packet >> of information um to talk about and I know the attorney that was up there, he's local, I believe. >> Uh I I don't see any harm with uh them coming back and and doing an update um because it's it's it's no cost up front, but then on the back end um I think I remember the gentleman saying, not the one on the screen, but the one who came in said um any cost it would be deducted from the settlement or something of that nature. But like I said, it almost been almost two years

016now since a year and a or whatever since they've been here. So, I would like uh more um information about it. >> Okay. Okay. >> Yes, ma'am. >> M. No, it was Mr. Rose. >> Okay. >> M >> um I just want to address Director Callaway for a moment. One of the arguments that they're making is if I understand the the suit is that the the damage that's been done to these children is costing the district's money in u uh discipline issues and uh it's affected the kids' grades and so that the interventions that we do that if that's all true that these that this addiction causes these kinds of problems then it is important but I'm still not sure It's true. So, I'm kind of with you and against you at the same time.

017>> Well, and that's fine. >> Yeah. >> Excuse me. >> Sounds good. >> Go ahead, ma'am. >> Okay. >> Um, but something that we are not paying attention to is the money that they constantly take from this district and we're having to cut programs. And here you got the richest district up there want us to join. Y'all can join if you want to, but as for me, I feel that we have more things that are important than uh the social media. It might be a a a big problem, but as for now, we don't need an extra penny out of our budget. And that's all I'm looking at is dollars and cents. It might make sense to y'all, but it doesn't make sense because we don't have the money to space. >> Director Strong. >>

018Yeah, just really quickly um I wanted to site the >> um the American Academy of Pediatrics has a center of excellence on social media and youth mental health and they do not use the language of addiction around social media at this time. I think there's a lot of research still in this I'm really excited. There is a lot of research in this space. Um, but at this time I I just don't know that the science is there to support what would be a positive outcome for this, which makes me concerned about the financial risk for the district. >> I I'm not I don't think I would not. >> You know, and I think that we've made a step in the right direction with the new phone uh policy, but you got to understand something. You're

019dealing with children. So, you're going to have a multitude of problems you're going to have to address. And when it comes to children, All of them are important. Yeah, maybe we don't have the money, but we have to understand it's just so many things that children are dealing with and we have to make sure that we can deal with it too. Now, with this new policy, I feel strongly that maybe in another year or two that we'll have some data. Well, maybe then we can deal with it. But you have to understand these are children and there's going to be always a multitude of issues that we're going to have to address. invite um our friend uh Kendra up uh to the table. She's going to be a part of this uh discussion. Many of

020you uh know her as the former chief of staff uh to Mayor Frank Scott. Um well known in the city and uh anyway, you'll hear from her in just a few minutes. So, uh, the leadership and I have spent a couple of months putting together, uh, this case study that I hope, uh, you guys have had a chance to, um, look over. And what was intended with this case study was to kind of paint a picture of the current state of the Little Rock School District and paint a picture of all of the different threats um that threaten our ability to be a viable institution within the next 5 to 10 years. And so without reading everything that's on the case study, we've dealt with things like the problems uh regarding declining enrollment and revenue,

021school closure and over capacity, competition from private charter and homeschool options, changing demographics and parental preferences, maintaining and improving student achievement, community engagement and trusts, financial management and prioritization, staff recruitment, compensation and retention. Uh so these are some of the highlevel um topics that we as a school district need to get in front of um so that 5 to 10 years from now we are still a viable option for um our parents in this community and that we are on the cutting edge with all of the different changes and things that are impacting us um in the future. And what I think is important and really curious to hear um feedback and and um comments from the board is so number one this is bigger than a strategic plan. And so the strategic plan that

022we just did was really mainly focused on the things that we need to do to improve student outcomes. This is not a strategic plan process that is focusing on student outcomes. This is focusing on like big picture problems and issues and threats that we need to figure out a solution for. Number one and number two, I don't think it is I don't think this this is so big and these problems and threats are so huge that this is beyond the district leadership team bringing a proposal to the board to to to address. Um we've we've had some success um in the past with engaging our community to help us solve some immediate problems. Um I think we we want to take it a bit further and Kendra is going to kind of explain what the

023process will look like. like in order for the community at large to really get on board with what we're trying to do as a school district, um we need to depend upon our community to be the driving force to to identify the possible solutions for these big problems that are identified in this particular case study. And so what we are proposing um is a multiple phases. Right now we've only spent a lot of time talking about what phase one would look like and it's really a yearlong process to really do some deep level community engagement. I'm stealing Kendra's term people centered a people- centered approach that she she's going to talk about in just a minute. Um and again I don't think this is something that the administration should be driving. Um, I think it's

024important that we have a third party, some one neutral, um, that facilitates these conversations with different constituent and community groups. And so I've asked, um, uh, Kendra to be a part of this and she's been a part of some, uh, meetings that we've had the last couple weeks. And so she has put together a proposal that kind of outlines what this process will look like for phase one. And so I will um turn it over to her unless there are any questions or or or comments about anything that I've said thus far. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Wright. Um good evening everyone. It's a pleasure to be with you all um in this capacity. I've attended meetings before but um not on the agenda. So thank you for having me. Um, I

025have some slides prepared and I know Miss Pam's going to share those for me. But what after having conversations with Dr. Wright, what I kind of came up with is Thriving Together, um, a community blueprint for the future of LRSD. And that's again a working title just based on our conversations. what made sense to me. I firmly believe that a people powered, people centered approach is necessary to come up with the appropriate solutions to move the district forward in the way that I know you all have talked about um continuously. And so, while it was a conversation that Dr. Wright and I had um I know that this is a priority of the board and so um I hope you all will see the value in it as well. So, we can go to the

026next slide. Just to kind of tell you a little bit about who I am, most of you probably know me or know of me, but my name again is Kendra Puit. I've had the pleasure of serving our city over the last six and a half years um in the role of initially senior advisor, chief strategy officer, and the last few years as chief of staff for the city of Little Rock for the office of Mayor Frank Scott Jr. Um I'm an attorney. That's my training and um consider myself a strategic advisor. I obviously have experience in government um community engagement, policy work, etc. But what really has centered my work is um the kind of multistakeholder initiatives whether you're engaging internal stakeholders, external stakeholders, and anyone and anything in between. um really leveraging those relationships

027to move from vision to actual impact and actual outcomes. And that's what led me to launch solution seekers, which is what I'm doing now. I left the city in May of this year um after serving for six and a half years for the city of Little Rock. Um because I recognized the frustration I had in city government, realizing that government is not the end- all beall. Um, and how do you leverage those public private partnerships, working with community, working with philanthropy, working with government, tying all those together to actually drive the outcomes? I think a lot of folks have great ideas. Um, there's a lot of great vision. There's a lot of great conversation, but I wanted to put my um my hat in the ring to move things from vision to actual execution. And

028that's what Solution Seekers, our firm does. And so we operate at the intersection of people, policy and progress to really try to move the needle. U we specialize in um stakeholder engagement as I've mentioned um that strategic solutions and again those public private partnerships. We do a number of different things. I won't bore you with that. But specific to this initiative, um, we want to help and partner with the district to facilitate these communitydriven solutions with again that peoplepowered approach I talked about. Um, thank you, Miss Pam. So, just to kind of give you a little context, why is this needed right now? Um, after having some conversations, and obviously I'm I live in this city. This is not a flyin strategist or consultant um that wants to pretend like we care about the city.

029This is the city I live in. This is the city that I have um my loved ones in this district. And so when I've had the conversation with Dr. Wright, I'm very aware of the issues and the concerns. Having worked in government, we talk about this all the time from an economic development standpoint. We the first thing the big companies are asking, what does the district look like? What are our public schools like? So, we know that there are challenges not just facing Little Rock School District, but public schools across our state and across um the country right now. And so, how do we address some of those things that Dr. right has acknowledged what you all have acknowledged over um the years whether it's declining enrollment, financial strain, those community trust gaps with people

030choosing alternatives um whether that's um private schools or charters. How do we address that and really get to the um the center of what those concerns are? And what the goal of this work would be is to really um secure the viability of the school district for its long-term future. Um and not just give you guys another report to hang on your shelf, but to actually identify solutions that are co-created with our community. Um and also that are easily implemented um based on again what they they say. Um and also that would be the ultimate goal is to create that viability framework that reflects the values, ideas, lived experiences of the various communities in Little Rock that you all obviously represent. Um, so going to kind of our approach, this approach is not just about

031gathering feedback, which is a big part of it, but it's about building those relationships, reinforcing that trust, and activating community voice in a meaningful way. And this is something that um I've done in my various roles, but also that solution seekers has done since its existence. um working with cities not only across the state of Arkansas but in the south region of our country really helping leverage kind of community voice in a way that um that is meaningful and powerful and we want to center the people in our engagement but it has to be it I know it's very easy to become a traditional town hall or a gripe session and we want to be very strategic about how we approach that so that people feel like they can share honestly and openly, but it's

032also facilitated in such a way that we're getting productive comments. And that's where um that's where we kind of come in to really assist with that. We want to also be very mindful that we're not having the same folks show up at all the same meetings. We know that often times the loudest voices in the room are the only ones that um are often heard. And so we want to be very intentional about how we engage the various communities within our city. And um so how do we do that? Information gathering would be kind of part of phase one for us to really understand the landscape. We need to gather information, collect data, need to look at a whole bunch of stuff that you all have information with, and even sit down with you as

033part of one of those stakeholder groups to understand what your um the folks you represent have to say, what you all are aware of, and getting that information base that will then form the eventual task forces. I think we have some examples of task forces that we um that's shared in that proposal, but that's a working document. I don't want to go in with any pre-baked understandings, but allowing the process to guide the process, if that makes sense. And so really identifying those multi-layered stakeholder groups, whether it's the business community, whether it's alums who have such great pride. Um I y'all will have to forgive me. I'm not a product of the Little Rock School District, even though Little Rock is home for me now. I'm from country town in northeast Arkansas called Newport, but

034I've never seen the pride that I see, whether it's Park View or the Central Tigers or whatever the case may be, the JA Fair and the Mlelins. I just people will get to arguing in the most um professional of of environments about their their schools. And so really leveraging those different people groups um to get different feedback from them. And um it's important for me I I learned recently that you all secured a new marketing um vendor um and contractor and working with them to ensure that all communities even those that are often left behind, marginalized or underrepresented are part of this process. And so making sure that we work with them and it's important I think um that an independent third party solution seekers in this instance is doing the facilitation to really ensure

035trust and to encourage transparency from those different people groups that we'll be communicating with. And so that's why um that piece was included in the proposal. And from phase one, we'd like to produce a community insights report, which is basically compiling the key themes that we've heard as what are the issues? Why are parents um selecting private or charter instead of uh the Little Rock School District? And really just compiling those themes, identifying those buckets of topics that we can form task forces around and re-engage those folks who don't feel like they have a voice at the table, a seat at the table or a voice in these issues and really engaging them to help co-create some of those solutions. So that's the process we would take and that would be um the process that

036would lead to the viability framework that we would use to implement and really um change the trajectory of of the district. Um I kind of touched on this a second ago. Who are we talking to? This would be a very targeted outreach um approach to a wide range of community members. I think it's important. These are again some of the things that I've done at the city of Little Rock where you go to where the people are and not just expect the people to come to you. And so while we would host some of those kind of traditional meeting in different meeting spaces, but also leveraging car pickups um at the schools, going to barber shops and churches and things of that sort. And we would leverage the solution seekers team um to make sure

037that we're engaging people from all walks of life from their various walks of life in their environments whether it's in person mobile or even online efforts through different surveying etc again but very targeted approach and again those key groups I mentioned the students we want to hear from them giving them a voice and being intentional about that alums families educators I think they certainly have um a voice that we need to listen to. Faith leaders, business leaders, because again the economic development piece of it, community organizations that are um boots on the ground that work with people um each and every day, but leveraging all of those different key groups to ensure we're um getting all the information we can. Um and from there the next steps I see in this process is obviously securing

038um this opportunity and formalizing that through the procurement process that um Dr. Wright and you all have outlined um based on the law and the rules and regulations. And so I will develop that detailed scope of work because the proposal is pretty high level if you've taken a look at that. But understanding from you all based on um also Dr. Wright um exactly what that looks like, how many meetings do we think we need, all of those different key groups and how we plan to target them, outlining that in a very specific way for review and approval. Um and then launching engagement as soon as possible. Quite frankly, um we want to start with the fresh energy of a school year. We know that, you know, leveraging that, getting as much done before the holidays

039is very key to align with the school calendar um and community availability. Um but also, um making sure that we are not overburdening you all as elected officials or staff um to make sure that we are um doing our part. But obviously you all are welcome to support, engage, um, receive the feedback that we'll be hearing in real time. And really what I would ask is to amplify, you know, where your folks are, the folks that you represent, how do we make sure that they're aware that this is happening and that they're engaging with the process as well. um based on what we know is happening in um the political climate within schools in general, we know that this work is not only important, but it's urgent. And it's very important to us um that

040we make sure that the future of the Little Rock School District isn't shaped in silos. But this process that we've outlined um based again on y'all's priorities, on Dr. rights, um, intentional efforts to think beyond the now. This invites us and our community to cocreate the future we want for our school district. And I firmly believe that with your support, Little Rock School District can move from surviving to thriving if we do it together. And that's what we hope to um partner with you to do through this kind of thriving together framework. Um, I kind of ran through that pretty quickly, but want to open it up to see if you have any specific questions for me. Um, and I'll pitch it to Dr. Wright if I need some help questions. >> I just have

041more of a comment. >> Yes. >> Uh, first just uh thank you for uh being in in this space to to uh deliver this type of work. Um and it's it's very it's needed. Um I I remember when prior prior to campaigning and campaigning, one of the things I used to always say is what will education in Little Rock look like in 2025? >> Oh wow. >> And so and so and so the part the process of getting there, you know, um we ended up in that took two or three years, you know, and and then now, you know, we did a strategic plan that um was focused on um part of the ecosystem, but really looking at the sustainability of the district. And that's something that the initial board and even um in changing

042uh leadership, the conversation around that time was still about sustainability. What are we going to do? We know charters are here. We know choice have always been here. But then how are we competing? How are we telling our story? And that's one of the things things miss always pushes. You know, we got to get out in front of the narrative and tell our story and write our own story. And then two, but then doing the more um boots on the ground type of work and bringing in a third party as such to do so. Um I you answered um all of my questions. Um and I just >> That's a win. >> It is for me. It is. Uh the only thing I would uh just want to um highlight or to use your word

043to amplify >> would be with the um internal engagement. >> Um what level of transparency. Uh can those uh share um within like a confidentiality piece of maybe you know um too right to not have identifiers and so like they're able to truly um state what they see the issue are is and so a solution can be worked towards. >> Oh great question. So you're specifically to make sure I understand you're if we're for instance meeting with stakeholders that are teachers or staff of the district making sure that their feedback is confidential is that >> great question and so what I having worked in government having been an attorney I got to acknowledge freedom of information act right we know that anything that's compiled or collected is open for its public record however what we

044would do as solution seekers is to ensure that while we're compiling notes, it's not attached to any individual. So we have the content of what's being shared but it's not associated with any one individual so that their privacy their confidentiality will remain and they so if there's any fear of retaliation or anything like that not to suggest that would happen but if that's their concern there would be no associated responses with any particular individual we'll compile it as an aggregate if that makes sense. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. also >> will it also make sense for our because I would imagine we will have different >> internal stakeholder groups multiple ones um will it also make sense for those sessions to be closed like we >> nobody like staff or myself or >>

045make sure you're not there >> yes yes >> I I would I think that's appropriate particularly for those internal um stakeholder meetings absolutely >> um and I would rely on your the guidance of the district and the attorney related to if they can be fully closed or if those are considered public meetings where you have to allow um reporters or things of that sort, you know, which I don't again that's a legal question that we could dive into, but I think you can certainly um keep them closed. >> I think as long as they don't come to worry about it, I think I'm not sure. >> That's my understanding, too. Oh, I mean >> I don't I mean >> I guess we have an attorney in the room, don't we? >> When when you think

046about Okay. um >> educators um then if a educator from a neighboring um um district come to because of them being a taxpayer and they're an educator and then right if we're not putting parameters around it or restrictions to say only LRSD I mean that kind of gets into the semantics but I'm going to pull back and just let you guys figure that out >> so I know we can consult an attorney on that Make sure we understand. >> Absolutely. Okay, we have some more questions. Mr. Adams. >> Yeah, thank you. Yeah, I want to make a couple comments. Then I do have a question and thank you very much for coming. >> Um really appreciate this initiative and the initiative to bring this to us. You know, um when I think about the threats

047to the district, I think about that we are trying to address it seems to me several of the most important ones. One is that we have to do in increasingly do a better job for our students and I think we're we've been focused on that. We're making progress on that. We also have to live figure out a way to live within our means as our financial stresses have changed and we have done a lot of heavy lifting about that and then we have to figure out how to improve our connection with our community >> um and have support and involvement there and help them understand where things going on. And so we we talked about doing the the part the the new PR effort which I think is really important but this is a bigger

048thing because this is this is looking at the context where we're in right now which really is worrisome because when we think about that despite all the the really hard efforts in the last 10 to 15 years you know we have just continued to lose students >> right >> and and so how much of that we can control or not and how do we adjust with wherever we land and so I really appreciate having some intentional effort to to think about that for our own viability. I wondered if you would um say a little bit more about those terms people centered or people powered about what what's all involved in that and and kind of the the benefit and the motivations for those. >> Yes, thank you for those comments. So specifically to your question,

049people powered, people- centered approach has become kind of a personal philosophy of mine having worked in government um and now doing my consulting work. And what that means is that I firmly believe that when we get to get our best results, it's leveraging not only leveraging but also um sharing power with the people in which we represent. So when I was in government, I represented um you know the city of Little Rock through the mayor's office. And so ensuring that they feel empowered, not only that you're doing things for them, but you're doing it with them. And so that's just the philosophy in which you engage them not for performance sake but in a meaningful way where you're building that trust where they know that not only do um and you all are elected officials

050so I'm preaching to the choir you all know this but it's really how I feel like you move the needle when people feel like oh I participated in this not just attended a meeting or watched something or read something but I was in the weeds and I helped develop some of these solutions. That is truly how you get the buy in. People will defend it. Um they will run through a wall for you because they felt like they were a part of it. Even if they don't fully agree, knowing that they had that seat at the table. And this really kind of started, many of you probably remember in 2018, it was a really vibrant political cycle because there was a going to be a new mayor. Um it was an open seat, a lot

051of engagement, a lot of debates and um different things around our city. Um and so obviously Mayor Scott won in 2018 in a runoff election and he started his transition process which was a little foreign um for the city of Little Rock because again we had had an incumbent for the for 12 years and we were going we were I remember being at a table and we said okay let's identify who's going to be part of our transition team and let's just pick a few people and a lot of the same names come up all the time. We know the people who are kind of the the grass tops, if you will, that participate in the community meetings. They're the leaders in the community, and they're great to have at the table. Let's be very

052clear. And I remember speaking up and I said, "What if we opened it up? What if we gave people who don't feel like their government has ever listened to them or ever worked for them, give them an opportunity to be part of this um solution as we draft the plans for the next four years through the mayor's um administration. And they were like, "That sounds like a lot of work." And it is. But we literally opened it up online. We just let anybody who cared to be a part of it. We put it on social media. We put it on the radio. whatever the case may be. And we had hundreds of people, some of the folks who always participate, but some people who had never served on a board or commission, who had never

053attended a community meeting that said, you know what, I want to be on the quality of life subcommittee and just come up with solutions. And when you when we gave them power, empowered them to sit at a table with folks that they might not have ever been around before and shared their ideas from their perspective, from their lived experience, it really shifted the trajectory and I think helped in that instance, Mayor Scott be as successful as he was during his first term because it garnered trust. people, even if they didn't like everything they did, they were like, "Well, I I was in some of those meetings, so I have to live with it." And I think that has really framed a lot of our approach, and that's why we've done the mobile town halls, we've

054done the scotch strolls and different things where we go straight to the community and hear from them. Again, you don't always get what you want. It's hard to please everybody, but when you give folks that seat at the table, that's what that peoplepowered approach is. and making sure that you're centering them um and not me or us as um whether it's the elected or whether it's the staff, whatever capacity you're working from. >> Thank you very much. Just one other comment. I I think while if we're trying to reach all the groups, um I really hope that we can reach those families who have chosen other options. >> Absolutely. chosen private schools, charter schools, home schools. And you know, some of them may have done that because they didn't have faith in us. Some of

055them done that because of their family reasons and other reasons. But I I know a great number of people who don't have their children in this district, but they are concerned about this district because they are civic-minded and they know that the community's health depends on >> a healthy school system. And for whatever reasons, they've made different choices for their own children. That's right. >> But they are not uncaring about other children. >> That's right. And just to that point, I want to make sure I emphasize based on some of the conversations we've had over the last few weeks that has come up where one of those stakeholder group meetings need to be parents who have selected charter or private for whatever reason and understanding why. Because again, phase one is truly about factf finding.

056is gathering information. We can't say that we need to go fix this. We'll be throwing things at a wall hoping it sticks. But if we get to the core of the why, >> that will help us um derive some solutions and that's part of it. So, thank you for that. >> Another question, Mr. Mason. >> I am Oh my. See, >> that's where I messed up. see calling names. >> Yeah. So, but uh I know the mayor is doing a great job bringing businesses into the city, bringing a lot of industry into the city and that's probably the the brand the rebrand. We trying to brand the rebrand brand rebrand the brand. Right. >> That's right. So, uh, I think, uh, Director Adams said it for me to reach out to all aspects of Little

057Rock to make sure you're all inclusive of everyone so they can give us feedback on where we go in the future. >> Absolutely. And definitely the business community is going to be key to that. So, absolutely. Thank you, >> Director B. Thank you for being here. Uh definitely appreciate the presentation and um my question is really um because when uh director hatter started speaking I started thinking about the barriers cuz we can't really predict the barriers all the times. We I don't think anybody well I didn't know that co was going to happen and how it was going to impact uh two or three years of our lives but uh I think a lot of times one of the barriers uh that we don't mention a lot of times with enrollment is uh the kids

058themselves speaking for myself personally after elementary I had a lot of say so on where I went as far as middle school and high school literally picking my first and second choice and so um that that impacts enrollment and I think a lot of students like choose to go outside of >> the school district charters or private schools and >> their parents listen to them and so um I just want to hear your thoughts on better ways that we can um be prepared for some of those barriers when it comes to curriculum. A lot of times we we got a lot of new school names >> and new ideas and um initiatives at the schools that I think are are great and and that uh a lot of the students don't know about them sometimes

059and they would probably choose to go to this school versus that school if they knew about the things in that magnet program or that particular school. But just uh just the barriers and and also one barrier is uh student disengagement >> um in in general with the use of AI as well, >> the increased use of AI. And so uh just seeing those uh different barriers and how do we move past that to build better school and family partnerships? >> That's such a great question. So thank you for that. And I I have thoughts, but I think more importantly is to hear from them directly. And that's why I think our students is one of the most important key groups, stakeholder groups, whatever we want to call it, that we need to sit down with,

060not with their parents in the room necessarily. Um, not with their teachers and staff in the room, but hearing from them as to why do you love this school? Why do you not love this school? What would you like to see differently? And I think we use that to inform again some of those solutions that will um hopefully come alongside. But that's one thing that I think we we got to hear from them because you're right and I we often talk about um charter and private, but they're choosing schools just not in the district even if it's a public school. I know a lot of Little Rock students who go to Bryant for instance and so um or you know Palaski County and Mel and things of that sort and so I think we need

061to hear from them and I think we will use that information to really formulate um how we market and again that's not my lane per se but I think it bleeds into this work but how you market the district holistically and even the schools within the industry because like you said they have different flavors and different brands um each one and different offerings based on what those students need and I think we have to kind of drill down to really understand what that is. >> Thank you so much. Um I'm really excited about this. >> Um I actually participated and I know many of you in this room probably too but when Mr. did some similar meetings back in I don't know the late late 201. Um I felt very engaged as a mom of

062a little kid. I felt like I could go to these community meetings. There were these big maps on the walls. It took but you know I think that >> there were a lot of people engaged in that. I think I know he had a contractor team and I think a whole lot of people involved in that and I know many of you guys were super in the thick of all that. >> Um so I'd love to see that and um and I think I echo what Mr. Adam said is just about building trust and you know I think from the grassroots to the grass tops there is a lot of distrust of our district. I feel like we are absolutely moving in the right direction but worry a little bit about that in the long

063term. Um but I also feel this effort of you know as we build trust with others say say the business community really staying grounded in >> our strategic plan in our educational priorities and not getting so distracted by what everybody else that we get pulled off of course um of what we as a district have said we want to move toward. Um so that being said, I kind of have four things I just wanted to bring up that I didn't see in here that I wanted to kind of continue thinking about. >> Um one was national alignment. What are national best practices? What are others doing on this? You know, where is this where has this type of effort succeeded in other places in the country? Um, I love that you have such a great

064knowledge of our city and our county and all of, you know, all of what's happening here and I love that. Um, and I am curious about, you know, who you bring with you. It's not just you. I assume, >> correct? >> Um, uh, secondly, I, um, so that was actually two of the things, the team and the national national partners and such. Um, second, I wonder about the idea and Dr. Wright, please don't, you know, whatever. about collaborating with other districts districts in Palaski County, our other public schools in the county to have a similar inquiry at the same time. I know that they are our competitors, but we are also, I think, all part of the same community and thinking about what we're doing to support public schools in our in the Rock area

065could be something where there could be alignment of other districts interested in doing something similar at the same time. Um, I know for example, as we talked about our calendar, you know, that is something that we heard from a lot of people like all four districts in the metro would have to go in at the same time if we wanted to do that, something like that. So, I think as we're thinking big, um, as we're thinking big, it might be at least worth asking if other districts would be interested in engaging in this. And I mean, separating out our own district data, but thinking about also some broader efforts. Um, and then finally, y'all always know I bring up early childhood. I didn't really see anything in here about early And I think that's a

066really important part of retaining recruiting and retaining students in our district and preparing our students for positive outcomes. So those are my thoughts and you can answer now or just follow later. >> No, I I I definitely took notes. I want to just say taking early childhood first. That was one of my big priorities at the city of Little Rock just because again we know that there's just interrelated priorities and um how it's important attracting um industry to the point over there and yeah you got to have that and we just didn't have the seats and there were lots of conversations how do we increase that so I certainly um value and that resonates with me um personally and professionally um and how that fits into this thriving together community blueprint. I'll have to kind

067of sit with that to think about what that looks like and what that means. And I think those are questions we need to be asking for sure in these listening sessions. Um I did say this is not a Kendra only thing. It's definitely um we have staff and we have very tailored staff depending on the different projects we're working on. Um, and we have retired educators on the team that will be assisting with this work as well as just some professional facilitators that know kind of the best practices with um, addressing those having those conversations. So yes, it will not be just me um, working on this and part of that information gathering stage will be that national research. What are best practices? I'm very keen on making sure things are data driven and um

068rooted in best practices. And so I thought about that actually today in preparation for this. Who is doing it? We're not this can't be a novel thing. It's happening across our country. What are they doing about it? And we would leverage that in part of that phase one. Thank you for that. >> One second. Let me just go back around. Let's just peruse and make sure you guys have not spoken yet, right? >> Okay. Go ahead, please. Miss Johnson. And then Miss Callaway. Is that right? >> And then one other thing, Miss Johnson, I want to just scrutinize you guys. Anybody else have anything? I know Miss Hatterer has something. Anybody? Okay. And then, >> thank you for being here. That was a great presentation. So, one of my pet peeves is external customer service.

069And just let me give you an example of what I'm saying. Um, for instance, you could go to one school and everybody's like, "Hey, how you doing, ma'am? How can I help you? What do you need from us? They're smiley. They're very professional and on point." And then you may go to another school and it's like, "Well, just sit right here and we'll we'll see what we can do." >> So, to me, if you don't have any consistency across the board on customer service, that's going to create a big problem. So that is something that I really wish you would kind of focus in on trying to make sure that customer service is consistent, you know, and sometimes you just have to bring people in and you just have to talk to them and say,

070"Look, at least smile. You here, go ahead and smile." You know, parents when they come to you, they got a problem and you need to deal with it. Another thing is communities. We have so many disconnected communities until, and let me just give you say this to you. We some of us are getting ready to run an election. you ought to just hang out with some of us and listen to some of the stories because when I ran my first time around, I couldn't believe some of the stories that I was hearing. You have parents that are so disconnected. Matter of fact, some of them don't even know you have a school board today. They don't even know who their schoolboard members are. There's a picture of all your schoolboard members that's posted out there,

071but they're not posted in the schools because they don't know and they don't know. And so, I think sometimes when parents don't know something, they have a tendency to just shy away from it. So we'll say we're losing students, but we're not losing students, we're losing parents. So we definitely going to have to reach out to them. So external customer service is just so crucial, and I just really wish you some special attention. Thank you. Thank you. You're welcome. >> Thank you so much. >> I'm sorry. It's really good. It's really good to have you here. I love the presentation, but I would like to know what are your ideas about comparing charter public uh and and private schools and and some of the draws that we have heard have been religious. Okay. Now, uh

072but what are the requirements for certifications in the areas in which they teach? uh when uh several years ago when it's still practice uh in visiting before I was on board uh charter schools one thing I found out that most of the charter schools were not teachers were not certified in areas in which they taught and that's a thing that I think that people don't know because I didn't think about it now at So she says, "Well, I don't know much about earth science because I'm a journalism major." I'm like, "Okay, I might teach my kid at home, but uh that type of thing." Um, I feel why Well, this is a political question perhaps, but if we're required to score a certain amount on these tests that they're requiring public schools, why are not

073charter and and and private schools required to do that? You know, some of private schools are a little more strict than we are. And um they have to sign out a way they like uh to do that. But at any rate, I think that they need you need can you look at the degrees of certification? >> Well, years and years ago, this probably in the 80s, they had a big push where they said Little Rock School District uh teaches by degrees and it was BSBA uh masters me uh MED and they named how many folks were in that particular area. And um I got one of those posters. I was at Central at the time. That was so exciting. I said, "I didn't know that we had this many PhDs that were actually teaching high

074school, elementary, and whatever." I think a comparison to that would be interesting to the public. >> I I think you're right. I don't think people have a full understanding of the distinctions not only in offerings but in kind of infrastructure and I'm not sure if that's public information particularly for private schools if you know and if you can garner that information but I certainly think the conversation with parents students and the different stakeholders we have we will drill down into the choice why they make the choices they do and maybe try to enlighten and see if those things would make a difference. I think that's the information we'll be extrapolating is um understanding the why behind the what, if that makes sense, and seeing what does matter to them and compiling that information so that

075we can speak to what they've shared as their priorities. Um and hopefully see if that moves the needle. >> But I I I'm picking up what you're putting down. >> Okay. >> Yes, ma'am. Um mine is a question really is a thought like fish and bones but um we have central Arkansasmies which is our c it's it's more than CT because because a number of students are leaving high school going going directly into the workforce um making a nice um livable wage um at times more than um some adults um starting off at 22 27 like uh dollars an hour out of high school. Um right as we are looking at the um overall experience. Um I I I would like for you to u tap in and talk with ourmies and um and then

076the overall um of of that uh because as you may know there was a lot of work between education industry and the business industry because of what you said earlier. Uh they want to know what does the public schools look like because then that determines how much >> um talent they're able to bring but then also um their their paid salaries. That was one central Arkansasies and we have um some really goodmies. I I was talking with a parent um earlier about um the various we had uh within our district and all the different offerings and this is a split um household. One child goes to charter, one child come to us and one child go out to Brian. >> Wow. we need to have them in one of those conversations as a stakeholder. I'd

077like love to understand. >> Yeah. And and and then I think that that is more of of a common household too and then we have a split household. One may be here and one may be there. Um but I also wanted to say um if there is um I don't know how much time um you may need or if or or if you may need to bring in other districts. I unless they're help unless they're at cost um towards them. Um um I then I would like for the focus to really be on LRSD uh because regardless if people have their children in LRSD uh Little Rock schools uh district, their money is here. So regardless if they um uh don't have kids have kids um their kids have metriculated out of our system um

078I believe everybody should have a a say at the table because whenever they pay their property tax coming to us when they pay the car tax you know all you know and so um so I just think that um just opening it to the entire city um those that do have an interest of >> okay one more thing I like to add can you research and find your findings why is it public schools who have these wonderful programs because hey I was in that years ago Why is why is the government cutting our funding? We were cution earlier from the CTE and now that is one thing that I think the public needs to be aware of is that our funding was cut >> and we're working on it on a level and having to

079re-evaluate because our money was cut and put somewhere in another district >> and I don't think enough people read the newspaper or >> tell me if you could bring that up so that they would know why are they in the state until they start cutting out and we had to cut our personnel. So that's something that needs to be brought up so that they don't know and maybe they can stand up. >> Okay. So, we're going to go ahead and bring this to a close. And um >> thank you so much for being here. >> And just just to say if you guys ever need to connect with me, our website is solutionsseekers.co. It's um next slide if you don't mind real quick, Miss Pam. But feel free to check our website out. It has

080more detail about what we do. And I'm looking forward to partnering with you all to move the move the ball down the field, as I like to say. Thank you for your time. Thank you. We appreciate you. Absolutely. Okay, we um do we need to take a break, guys? Do we need to take a break before we move into the actual special meeting called meeting? Would you all like to take a break? >> Oh, >> she >> for public comment. Um well I mean we can always um modify the order and then you know ensure that there is an op you know an option later in the meeting if we need to do that. >> You know a a a suggestion could be um to uh if there's ever a a a special meeting is

081to put it with within the the agenda so it just runs on and so we don't have to do a break. just part of the the the overall agenda. >> I don't >> Yeah, we could we could do it. >> It doesn't seem as if you'd be able to just because there are different. So, tell me how so tell me. >> Oh, well, I don't want to take a I mean, I'll see you later. >> Well, we can Yeah, we can talk about it offline. We can talk about it offline. Um, okay. If we don't need to have a break, then if everyone is ready to move forward, we can definitely do that. So, we're going to call the meeting to order. Can we Pam? Are we able to call the meeting to order? Okay.

082You let me know when. >> I know, right? So, but we do need That's what I said. We can restructure. Okay. Okay. Okay. We're going to go ahead and call the meeting to order. We are running ahead of schedule. So, um I'd like to entertain a motion to modify the order of the schedule so that we can ensure that anyone who is scheduled for public comment can um um provide those comments at that time. So, we can >> I move that we move the item 2.1 to the end of uh two sorry 2.1 and 2.2 item two. >> Okay. and all of the sub bullets underneath that to the end of the agenda after item >> 7.2. >> All right. Is there a second? It's been moved and properly second that we move item 2

083point 2 point public comment uh to the end of the agenda after 7 point in line with public comment. Um any question or comment? I'm doing it gruffly, grumbling. >> It's been moved and properly second. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? The motion carries even with the grumble. Okay. All right. Okay. So, uh let's go ahead and move then to the consent agenda. If you'll review that, um the chair will entertain a motion specific to it. Is there a second? >> It's been moved and properly second. Moved by director Hatter, second by director Strong that um the LRC board of education approve the consent agenda. Item as follow personnel changes 5.1. Any comments? Well, no, because it's consent. All in favor say I. >> Any oppose? Motion carries. All right. So, we're moving

084on to policy. Student uh personal electronic device policy. Uh >> oh, excuse me. Somebody's on the blue. I'm sorry. Somebody's on the blue sheet. I'm sorry. I wonder what that had to do with the >> Never mind. Five. Financing operations special election resolution. >> What? Is there a second? >> Second. It's been moved and properly second that the LRSD board of directors approve the attached resolution to call a special election to be held on November 18, 2025 for the purpose of considering a rate of tax sufficient to support the proposed budget. All in is are there any comments or questions? Yes. >> Yes. I'm looking for Kelsey. >> Yeah, I know you >> only because >> I'm not sure. So, you all voted on this the last time. >> Yeah. And he had to bring

085it back because there was something wrong with the resolution and I just wanted to make sure that everybody was aware before y'all moved on. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. He probably didn't know that we were going to move this fast, so I just sent him a message. >> Yes, it was it was approved the last time. >> Yes, you did all of that, but it was something when he went to turn in a resolution, it was something wrong with the language and we had to change something. Yeah. And I Yeah. So, how was everyone's day? a soft interlude. >> No, Mr. Bailey is here. >> Good evening. >> No, I'm not never surprised on this. I thought y'all took a little break. I have to uh but before last last month, I guess a few

086weeks ago, we brought before you resolution for the 26 27 and the state uh law still requires us to put a unified rate of tax before the voters November 19th. Uh so we worked with uh Bob Beaches the Friday firm along with Jack Trump and we thought we had uh the resolution all tied up but when uh Pli County Election Commission carried it to the state collection mission they wanted specific language to say that we're calling for a special election for this thing. So we'll come back again along with another one when when uh the board is running as well in a few months. I think that'll probably be November. But this just clarifies and calls out for a special election with the same things we had before. So that's only modification to the resolution.

087A little bit different resolution. Okay. May I >> May I ask one question related to this? Do we need to formally resend the one that we passed last time or does this replace that? No, it's both of them together. So, >> well, I guess I can ask you. So, because you all appointed a elector as well, so polls won't be open. So, you all had two different This was a special election. The other one had election in there, but it didn't call out for us to call a special election, but you all elected a appointed elector, which is President Wesley, along with having no polling sites because we're gonna have a lot of polling sites open in March, right? Okay. >> All right. So, we'll move to seven. Policy personnel and legal matter. Student, >>

088are you ready? >> Goodness. Wait a minute. My goodness. >> No. No. Don't wait. >> I move. >> I mean, my goodness. I'm just Hey, I'm happy about it. Okay. >> Yes, ma'am. Well, >> I'm sorry. You want to say I don't. Okay. Um, I I move that that the Little Rock uh board of directors approve the updated LRC cell phone policy to take effect uh beginning. Well, it says beginning. Actually, we'll have to change that since I I would modify it. Um, taking effect August 14th. >> What's today? >> 14th to today's the 14th. >> Oh, amen. take effect August 15th since the day is over uh 2025. >> Okay. >> It's been moved and properly second that the LSD that >> that's what my question was to be. >> So, um >> no.

089>> Are there any comments or questions? We'll go to them. >> Okay. I have another attachment to uh Della's question is uh parents have not signed off on it and so my question is more of a um along the lines with Dr. It's a technicality question where how is it enforced because we have not informed our parents through policy right through the handbooks uh that they signed off on and so uh because it was pulled out and so it shouldn't have been in the handbook if it wasn't approved. >> Can I take that one superintendent? >> Sure. It's the law. >> That's law and policy. That's >> that's that's how we're getting past what we've been enforcing it since school. Right, right, right, right, right, right. But in the law, right, because we all pay

090attention and read that law, it also said that the districts have to create policy around it. So schools started August 11th, if I'm not mistaken, and we're August 14th and we are just now adopting the policy. So we're out of compliance. And and so my question is that for parents, parents and students would need to the same way they do all of the um policies that impact them with a consequence of of knowledge because uh if they get written up what administrators are trained to do, hey, it's in the policy where it's in policy. We have to but if it's but if it wasn't enacted at the time of them signing it, we can't hold them accountable. So So we have to work that out to right to make sure that all 19,800 or how

091muchever kids. We have um uh uh families know that and so consequence is then within order um based on the violation of the state law. Right. we can I won't say easily but we can with some ease um add an addendum if uh this new updated all of our principles have principles and teachers and staff have been sharing the policies with parents and students anyway um so whatever formality that we need to do in terms of getting parents to um sign off in terms of their knowledge and awareness and re receipt of this policy, we we will do. >> That's it. Because then because if they get a write up or an infraction, we can't hold them accountable because it's not part of our policy. >> I'm just saying. Okay. >> Okay. Any other questions

092or comments? >> So, it's been moved and properly seconded that the LSD board of directors approve the updated LRSD cell phone policy to take effect beginning August 15, 2025. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? The motion carries. Okay. So I guess the chair will entertain a motion specific to an additional modification around public comment. >> I'd like to make >> because we've we've reached >> Well, do we need to formally make a motion on 7.2 since we're not going to take action since we discussed that during the previous >> uh we could um to just um remove it. >> Okay. I'd like I'd like to make a motion that we remove item 7.2 from the agenda since we did not need to take action on that following the discussion in the previous

093>> second. >> Okay. It's been moved and properly second that we remove item 7.2 superintendent evaluation framework. All in favor? >> Uh discussion. >> Any discussion? Yes. >> We already voted on this. So I we already voted on this. So I I I get that. But I was going to say that then too. So I just figured I'll say it again. >> Uh we already voted on it. So >> no, we're just voting to remove it from the agenda. We're not voted on it. >> No, no, no. I meant for No, for last week. >> Let me back up and then I'll come back on that. But what I'm saying is that last meeting >> we voted the majority of the board voted to pass it. So we don't need it back on. This shouldn't

094have been on here anyway, >> but it's on. >> Okay. It was it was on the agenda meeting >> because several of you indicated that you wanted to revisit it and see if there was revisions or additions to it and so it was on the agenda for that purpose. >> Okay. >> There was any >> any other comments? I'm sorry. >> Oh, okay. >> Go ahead. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Any questions or comments? Okay. So, it's been moved and properly seconded that we remove the um superintendent evaluation framework item on the agenda. All in favor say I. Any oppose? The motion carries. We want to also uh entertain a motion to modify the order specific to public comment because apparently we have still not reach 7 o'clock and perhaps we need to move

095it further. >> I'll make a motion to do that. >> I'll I'll make a motion that we move item two to follow item eight on the agenda. >> Is there a second? Okay. has been moved and properly and uh second to uh move item two uh to follow item eight on the agenda. Any question or comment? >> It's been moved and properly second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Motion carries. Entertain a motion to be excused into executive session. >> Also move. >> We uh we are excused. Yes. So, we're opening the mics as we uh want to modify somewhat uh the motion that was made previously. So, we'll open the floor and entertain a motion. Okay. I move that we >> to we're gonna rescend it first, ma'am. >> Oh,

096okay. I move that we resend it. It was an illegal vote anyway. Go ahead. >> Okay. So, we It's not required to resend it. >> Is that right? Hold on. How about we >> we resend it? >> I I agree with Mr. Rose. I think that what you probably should do is just state the reason for going into executive session so that you comply with the open meetings act. U the the purpose of procedure is to make your meeting go smoothly and orderly not more cumbersomely. >> Thank you. >> Very good. >> Okay. >> So we're opening the mic to modify said motion specific to the purpose identifying the purpose that we are entering into executive session. The chair will entertain a motion. >> Okay, >> there's your prompt. I don't know what else. Okay,

097look, I move that uh we go into executive session to consider the superintendent's 2024 evaluation and a superintendent's 2025 28 proposed contract changes. It's been moved and properly second that we go into executive session to consider superintendent 24 through 25 evaluation and superintendent 25 through 28 proposed contract changes. All in favor >> say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. We are excused to executive session. Please. Good evening. >> We'll rejoin and uh the chair will entertain a motion. >> Hang on. Hang on. >> We return we return from executive session where no action was taken. The chair will entertain a motion. >> You're much too kind. I appreciate you both s. >> Okay. >> It's been moved and properly seconded that we come out of executive session. All in if none opposed, we're uh now out

098of executive session. I appreciate Mr. Rose. All right. >> I'd like to make a motion uh I'd like to make a motion that the board approve the superintendent's contract um as discussed in executive session with an uh updated salary of $271,776.96 annually. Um that's a 5% raise. It's been moved and properly second that the superintendent raise will go into effect at a rate of 5%. >> The actual amount 271776 and 96 cent. All in favor? >> Discussion. >> Discuss. >> I'm sorry. Any discussion? Move probably second. Any discussion? Yes. >> Yes. So um for me, Director Hatter, it will For me, my no vote is it's a no vote for for me. Um, however, I do look forward to working um with continuing working and uh building uh with the board and the overall um

099um board member IQ um which I take um um pretty uh seriously, but just as a collective, as a board and then of course with our uh uh superintendent, but uh for me it is a no vote. Yes, sir. Director, >> I will be voting for the raise because it's contractual obligation. I want to point out this will be the second raise the superintendent has gotten since the teachers got it raised at all. It is appropriate that the superintendent be given a raise for the work done by those people who work for him. But the significance of his scores are that the teachers worked really hard to get him there. I'm not saying he didn't work hard, but there are other people who worked hard, too, and we're not giving them a raise. And that

100really doesn't sit well with me. Again, I'm voting yes. It's contractual obligation. >> Other comments, questions? >> I just want to say this is now our um our third year for with Dr. Wright and I think we have been making progress every year and I think this past year we made really some really serious steps both academically and operationally and and I'm really pleased with that and I think part of the reason that we have been able to make some progress in the in the district in the last 10 years is we've had more stable leadership and I think that it really serves us all well and I really think that even in this coming year that we'll be able to see some of the benefits of that and all the investment that's been made

101in the past three years and I'm really pleased to support this motion. >> Other comments or questions? It's been moved and probably second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> All oppose. The motion carries. >> Okay. >> Right. Right. Okay. All right. So, we're going to we're going to move into board comment. >> Not board comment. Um public comment. Public comment. Yes. All right. And we have a few um anything else um before we transition. You guys, if you hold it to board comment, we'll be there in a second. Okay. >> All right. Uh Miss >> Oh, you know what? That was pretty much push the button. I'm sorry about that. Pam hear public comment regarding LRSD issues. We allow three minutes for public comment. Our responsibility is to listen to your comment. We

102are not allowed to respond or have discussion. So we have Miss Green. Miss Green, would you like to read that or >> That was not okay. And then Miss Mr. Michael McGen. Oh. Oh, okay. Miss McG. Mrs. McGen. Thank you. >> Yes, please. Please. We need you on the mic, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> This is the first time I've ever done this. So bear with me. I've written down my stuff. I get emotional. My husband said, "Write down your script." So um thank you guys for um I guess my time has started. Oh gosh. Um okay. Thank you. Well, I was trying to do my own. So um >> thank you. Um so thank you all for accepting my submission um to comment. Um I'm here on behalf of the parents and students who

103were thrown into a state of uncertainty with the ACC program. I'm here to express my deep concern about the recent changes to the ACC program, specifically the shift from an autonomy based alternative learning pathway to an 8 hour per day requirement and the short notice just one week before school began regarding this change. The impact it's had on our family and my son has been lifechanging for us. The flexibility and the tailored approach are what made his progress possible. The change from autonomy based learning to an 8-day requirement announced just one week before school started. This sudden shift removed the flexibility what that was the key to this program success and why we even considered this program in January. Here are my concerns. What factors led to this decision? Was the decision based on academic

104performance data, state requirements, budget concerns, or other factors? Has the district conducted any evaluation showing that an 8hour day model will produce better outcomes than the flexible model in the previous year? Are there documented concerns about the program's prior structure that promoted the change that prompted the change? Were teachers, students, or parents consulted before this change was finalized? Again, as a reminder, we were told one week before school started Why was there no earlier notice to families so we could prepare? This is our contract that we had to sign when we got there for accelerated for the ACC program. I had no choice but to sign it in January. I signed one that was totally different. This I had to accept that he would have to be there from 8:45 to 4 o'lock. That was

105not the program we joined in January. That was not the program that Miss Wanda Keith from Central High School suggested that we attend that would fit our son's needs. If we'd known in June or even prior, we would it would have given us some opportunity to explore other options for our son. My request about 27 seconds is that you consider reinstating flexibility or at least reviewing the decision with parent and student input. This is an incredibly stellar program that I think many are unaware of. This program should be celebrated and not restricted. Is there a possibility could be a hybrid or case by case option for students with documented success under the previous structure? Or how can parents be included in discussions about major program changes in the future? The ACC program is a stellar

106educational option that should be celebrated and supported for the lifechanging results it delivers. Please consider revisiting this decision so that more students can benefit from the model that has worked so well for my son and many others before him. Thank you. >> Not yet. I have >> Okay, I have I have another Miss Washington. Is it Miss Washington? She's not here, but she's submitted online. If you'd like me to read it, I can read it. Okay, sure. >> Just summarize. >> It's It's not very long. >> Um, and I believe she's come before in front of you. Um, I want to implement a mandatory time for every sport, timeout for every sport. I collapsed and almost died 35 years ago while practicing on the basketball court. I begged my coach to let me stop running,

107but he told me no. The help of God and prayer is the only reason why I'm still here. I want every district in the state to have a rule to allow each player, junior high and high school, a timeout with a seven-minute rule, a 30- second timeout. If I can save one student with having a break, I feel like I've done my job. I don't want any student to ever experience this. I almost died, but God had a plan. I've written a book, have a website, and the desire to help all athletic to make this small adjustment. That's from Tamika Washington. >> Thank you. Thank you. Okay. All right. Okay. So, we're going to go ahead and move forward to board comments. >> Board comments. Yes, ma'am. >> Well, I was going to talk with

108I wanted Dr. Wright to hear this, but I know he's with the family. I I'll I can I can follow up with him later. Um, I just I wanted to bring up um I have some concerns about I I I have had a several constituents reach out to me about the pepper spray that was used at central um this week and wanted to request that we have my understanding is that the district doesn't really have a lot of control over what happens when LRPD lands on our campus outside of the role of the um resource officers. And so one of the things that I would like to do is have LRPD Um, I think if we're going to be deploying pepper spray to disperse a crowd, we need to take some other measures before we

109do that if there is not an imminent danger to other students happening. Um, and and just have some clarifying conversations with LRPD. Um, I'd like to I would just recommend that we bring invite LRPD to come with us, come up here and talk with us at a future uh work session about what happens on campus when there are altercations and when they're called in and how we can help protect students who are bystanders or my understanding is that students who are just trying to walk to class were affected by the pepper spray um and on the second day school. So yeah, that was all >> that was good. Uh I have >> I'd rather wait for the superendent back. >> You want to as well. You good to go now, >> Miss Callaway? Okay. I've

110been pepper sprayed, so I know how it feels. I was pepper sprayed while on duty. And if I from what I understand, that was like cafeteria, whatever. And look, everybody that could got to my classroom and we was running water on my eyes. So, I understand that. But that particular situation it was necessary I would I would think when I was there no honey back in the day but I'm just saying that it might be necessary and that's been a while ago I have been pepper spray so I know how it feels now but I think that we need to get somebody from to talk to us about Listen, I was washing my eyes for about 30 minutes and couldn't see anything else. So, uh I think that that's that's not that's not a reason.

111Okay. Uh I'd also like to speak to these people here. I mean, I don't know enough about it. I need to go back on my computer or something and read that because I might have been out of town when that happened. But uh that's that's unbelievable. And it financial >> I just want to piggyback on what uh director Strong said because a a couple of retired security guards reached out to me and they said that there was a method I can't even remember the name of the method that he told me that security guards could be trained on crowd control and I think he said it takes four to six of them but there was a method that they've used in the past that actually worked. So I think yeah that's something we might want

112to look into. Now I don't know if pepper spray should have been used. I don't know but he did tell me that there was a method that they trained I think the guys back in maybe the early 2000s on how to gauge a crowd. >> Let me ask you something. Was peppers play deployed by the LBD. >> That is my Yes, that's my and that's what I think that's what our email I don't think our >> we are >> we don't do >> I know I looked through all the policies to try to see if I could find anything on that and my assumption and I just confirmed with Dr. right during the break that was that that is when they come on our campus we don't really have a ton of control but I

113think what my ask would be I mean is there an auditory like a you know one of those air horns or something that you could have as a warning before you're going to do something that could be >> I would like to interject on that I think seriously another two or three weeks since they don't have their phones to film the fights they'll be a lot less likely to form crowds >> Mr. We do too. We have crowds as many as 20. >> Mr. Bailey, would you like to add something? >> I would just say we'll follow up with LRPD. We met with them the last couple of years annually uh the update. So, >> yeah, I'm saying we we we met annually and this has been one of the topics we talked about probably

114the last three years. So, one of the protocols there before it should be a last kind of effort before they deploy pepper spray, but they should be making announcements as well. So, those could disperse the crowd because you do have that are affected. You're going to have students of course and it takes a little while to get over that. So we will follow back up. So safe director talking right before this meeting he's looking into that as well. So I guess we'll request before the September work. >> That sounds great. >> Director Bali, I'm sorry. He just had his hand. Is something particular? >> She mean you or me. >> When I got pepper spray for the police officer's gun and now you know and that that that in itself is scary and that was

115in the 90s like late I'm not trying to say there are not legitimate uses for it, but I just think >> Okay, Mr. >> Yeah, I just wanted to also bring up that incident because I did hear from several parents about their children just walking to class and getting caught up in that. And it's really a part of the conversation where we had earlier with uh talking to uh solution seekers. How do we close the community gaps in trust with trust gaps? Um because it's not just on the school campuses. I don't think that LRPD should have the authority to just go on campus and do anything without some type of understanding being made between the faculty and the entire school district. Um, this also bring makes me think about the fact of over 50

116kids getting uh loitering and trespassing tickets this summer for being at a park and doing childish things because they're children and some of them getting tickets for being at a community school campus. Um, and to my understanding, we have community schools that have hotspots to where parents and students can be on campuses after school hours, on the weekends, during the daytime. And so now we have Little Rock police officers ticketing children uh for being on a community school campus when we promote that community schools are there for the purpose of social and emotional support as well as after hours access. because of those uh hot spots that we have there. So I definitely think that we need to bring LRPD. They they need to uh reach out and come and do a presentation or talk

117to us because that is about uh community trust and uh if we if they uh talk about all these programs where they are pumping up their community outreach and student I mean and uh youth engagement. This is a part of youth engagement, but it's also an opportunity for us to get some understanding on uh what their protocols are and and also get some youth input. >> I had a couple of hands. >> Go ahead. >> I don't know if it's much of a workout or who hands who hand was up first, but um I think um well, anyway, Uh first of all you guys um teachers, staff, faculty um congratulations on the first four days of school. Um and um you know it's the first week of school. It's busy and um all the things

118of uh trying trying to figure things out. So um hopefully we'll have a good uh 25 26 school year um with all of the wonderful things we have happening uh within our campuses around the Little Rock School District. Um last week uh LRPD uh they did um invite the or send a word for the uh school board to attend a youth camp and and so I did have the opportunity to uh go for the the for myself and uh just a show board. um support and it was a really nice camp. Um, it's out there by Ferndale. Uh, the make >> well. >> So, uh, and so it was really nice and it had, um, of course, uh, the the city manager and and all of the SRO, fire and everybody out there. So um

119looking forward to right when they come to talk about um other issues um around SRO's or or their interaction within the district and then they can highlight that camp. Um I do want to say you know it is time for us to have another um meeting around alternative learning and discipline in our um district. couple years ago we had that where we had all of our stakeholders around a table that was pretty larger than this right now and we talked about those type of engagements and I think it's also important to realize that um you know just um Little Rock School District cannot regulate the um law enforcement agencies and so we do have anou with the law enforcement agencies Little Rock and and and but I do think that it is healthy um for

120um our SRO, meaning our Little Rock certified police officers to come in and and and talk with um the the school board as well as I know that they are interested in coming in and talking with them to where the point of knowledge of how how how how do they engage and and what um techniques uh do they use um while on campus? So I I I totally uplift all of those things and and and for us to get clarity around that. And my last piece of um thought uh is right as we um go on in in this school year just you know just to encourage us all just to be uh visible and um engaged uh with with our constituents and and within the district and and um with our students because I

121know they really do like to see their board members uh right when they are you know on campus and then of course right doing um activities and things of that such so yeah so all to a good year 2425 >> Dr. Oh, where where are we at? Oh, 2526. I'm sorry, I went back a year. 2025 and 2026 uh school year. >> Dr. Wright, >> um I would like for us to begin to receive a regular monthly report from safety and security. I asked for that back in January. We got a half of one, but I'd like to get a regular one. I'd like one at the September meeting to tell us how things went for the start of school and all that sort of thing. I explained I went through it once with you.

122Uh it needs to show the number of of incidents per school. It needs to record uh thefts of district property from other uh properties than schools. Uh I want to know about vandalism. Um what else? Oh, how many times cops are called, how many times they have to come to campus, and what the outcomes of those are, whether it's an arrest or a ticket or whatever. To the immediate question, at Central, police officers are trained in one thing and one thing only. Everything else they do is aligned with that. Enforce their will on the situation. Put everybody on the floor if that's what they need to do. Handcuff people. shout and bully. That's their job. And I'm not I'm not faulting them for that. That's what they do. And to expect them to not do

123those things when they come on our campuses is uh just faulty. It's not going to happen. That they'll do something different. I would also now like to go on to a second area. I would like I know we're broke. We're always broke. I would like to hear something probably from Mr. Bailey about the possibility of a small bonus for the teachers either in December or at the end of the year because that would at least be something to tell them they did a good job too. And doing it as a bonus rather than a raise of course gives us the option of not doing it next year if the money is even worse. And I know I had a third thing but I can't remember what it was. Oh well. Thank you, >> Madam Chair.

124I just have one last thing. for the um for our reports. At one point um the board we used to get reports on right on the the schools as far as how are they performing and this and that and in the learns act um particularly uh it speaks about um how the board is supposed to be presented um all you know the the the number of and Fs coming out of the school like grade like student grades. And so um I I do want um to start receiving those reports because that's an indicator. So if um buildings and the district particularly it falls on the buildings because buildings make up the overall district numbers but if buildings um leaders are looking at the data then they're able to say we have x amount of students

125in these grades um this is where they're at. if we move them and your progress monitoring all that then we can kind of have an idea internally how grade levels will do but also how the overall uh district I mean the overall school building would do and um the last thing is um I'm currently working on a policy around data monitoring uh for a board to do because that's part of our job as well is to is to anal data to have uh these type of conversations not necessarily being fed information but having a true work session but where we are talking about the data that is coming out whether it is from an academic level definitely from a financial level um because we do probably at some point would need to or should consider

126even doing an audit of the district both academic ally and financially so we could see where we are and where we are projected to go which is beyond the legislative audit. So more like a forensic type audit over the last few years. And so um I do want to like really start getting those reports and so we can be a better informed board about um student learning and achievement. um not just from a gradual standpoint, like if a person is 57 and they go up to 60, well, yes, that's improvement. Yay, we applaud that. But we really want to see really substantial um um improvement by grade level because we know that that's how our our students are going to win. So, that's all I wanted to say, but I wanted to say that uh

127while he was in the room, >> director Adams, >> thank you. Two things just um one I wanted to just say a word of affirmation to all those people who are involved um in the meeting with our political visitors at Roberts on Tuesday. Um the Roberts team, the teacher from Wakefield, the teacher from McDermott, the district leaders, Director Strong all spoke. I I was very proud of of our district and of and of all the team people who were there and the hospitality that was given, the feedback that was given, the challenges that were acknowledged and raised. Many of us around this table, I would guess I'm one of them, you know, have serious disagreements with the policy um positions of many of the political leaders who are there. But I am I was glad

128that we were able to highlight some of the positives about Little Rock Public Schools and and give them an opportunity to see that and and give them opportunity also to hear some of our concerns. And I think people did a great job on the second day of school coming together very quickly, you know, to be good host and in a very professional way to um provide them the kind of feedback that we were asked to do. The second thing um I wanted to do is is request that in the next perhaps next month or or very soon if we could have a discussion about Hall High School and two years from now we're going to be opening up um West High School and we're going to have to figure out what Hall is going to

129look like and and I think that it it's not too soon to be thinking about that now and planning for that and and seeing what kind of options we have. Thank you, >> Madam Chair. How did the how how did the board members get chosen to meet um with the uh US Secretary of State and I'm talking to the chair so and and so um curious about that. >> I was not a part of that. So we would need to um ask another individual. It was a volunteer. >> I read my email and we were all invited. >> I'm a part of the invitation. >> I've been in and out of town so I don't know. So I was just curious >> sent out everybody. >> I didn't see it. I mean my there's a

130lot of emails. Some of it's a lot of spam. So I didn't see it out there. >> Okay. >> I was just curious. I mean it wasn't I was just asking Jesus. >> No problem. It's no problem. >> Yeah. So many things come out. That's okay. We missed that. >> Okay. Um, Director Rose and Director Callaway and I think Director Johnson, you know, are we okay? Just, you know, that's okay. >> Director Callaway >> got one thing to say, right? Go ahead. Oh, It'll be changed as early as tomorrow. I sent the the new one out to you all. I wanted you all to to look at it and to >> I just waited a week afterwards to make sure there wasn't any other last minute changes we need to make, but it's ready to

131go. >> Thank you, Dr. Yes, ma'am. Okay. This is on the teacher thing. >> Okay. Um first of all I think that the data that the significant data that we are collecting is what we need personally uh asking for the things that you alluded to uh Miss Hatter is quite an issue because we were there at one point I was more interested in teaching my students my uh uh my uh my lesson plans and following the uh guidelines of the book than giving statistics as far as how many people uh got FCD that could be done at a later point. I think that when you're not in education, you're not really really looking at the fact that how much extra work and to Mr. Rose's as well. They don't get paid enough to do all

132that. Okay. Um I I would love to, you know, and I did it for a lot of years, but asking an additional uh bringing out weekly or monthly that we could write a program for that I guess, but then you have to add the data to that. And then how many people can really read data as it relates to the educational system? Everybody can. And and and that's a fact because quite frankly, I had to go back and learn how to do that when it got to computer. We used to do it with pencil and paper and a and a calculator or, you know, writing it. But at any rate, that's a lot. I want our teachers to feel as if they're appreciated. They're not numbers where you have to just get numbers. We're doing

133it. We We made We made those significant gains. And I'd like to thank all the teachers in the district and principles and whatever because I know what that looks like. And people resent that because they told that they really they reset us sitting here. Give me some more data. What data on this? We got these tests that are mandated by the state and this that and the other and you want to give them another task. As a teacher, I'd be real upset if I was still working on one. Another thing as far as board members going in and out of our schools, I know some people really like to do that. I've been in every school in this district. I don't necessarily and that's just mine. My my thing I don't necessarily have to go

134in and announce well Evelyn Callaway's here so put on a false face. No. And another thing about that uh camp every year is a Louis Bryant camp is it? Every year they've had that for years. I didn't get an invitation, but I wouldn't have gone anyway because I was out of town. But when I saw it, I said, "Oh, this is uh the Bryant camp." And it is excellent people. If you get a chance to go go and I think that's one way we can engage the police officers with the community. Next thing, I'm not trying to ask Trump to send federal troops to Little Rock. They've been here in 57. And he would love it if we sent troops into Little Rock. I don't want to see that. So, I'm not trying to jump

135on them. I do want them to come and talk to us, but not as I'm gonna jump on the police officers just yet because Trump and I guess I I I feel a way about it because my have children in the DC area then they're getting stopped by the uh uh the the the the guard coming to and from their jobs. You want that here? I don't. It's bad enough. My daughter-in-law and son, my son's in education. And you got a Gustafo in Washington DC. Do you know that? Do you want that in Little Rock? I'm not trying to hear. >> Dr. Johnson, >> Dr. Right. Um can you keep us a breast as the semester goes on of um the Little Rock School um district students that we have incarcerated? We don't want to

136forget about them. We want to make sure that they're learning and they're growing and they're progressing. >> Okay. >> And Madam Chair, just for a point, >> can you just wait hold >> Oh, I thought he would shake his head as a yes. >> I was saying yes. We we actually just met with um Plask County Sheriff's Office yesterday. We're going to be actually serving um in addition to JDC uh we'll be serving um juveniles in the Plasky County Jail. So, we're working on um that agreement as well. >> Definitely. And with the with that uh if if the um if those individuals those uh juveniles are within the Little Rock School District um are we the um required educational educational agency no matter if they require um Little Rock School District outside of them

137being sped but and and we can talk about it later. Okay, got you. But um just a point of clarity uh those reports and then we used to get them >> and it's not real encumbersome reports. >> Um um and and and it's a a treetop type of uh report. Um so and then it's it doesn't involve teachers giving them. It's a query that that was ran from the district level that uh we used to receive. Don't we have that new we have that new dashboard coming? Yeah. Anyway, we can talk about that. >> Yeah, we'll we'll we can address that offline. Okay. To just make sure we're not doing double work and all the things. Has everyone spoken that would like to speak? We don't want to mess up our whole, you know, process

138of moving swiftly tonight. So, I just like to say, um, thank you all for what you do. Our teachers, our staff, our um, faculty, everyone that is working for the district. Thank you for what you do. And please keep in mind, as we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change. As we change the way we look at them, they change. Okay? It's not about the things, but it's the way that we perceive them. So, with that being said, I will entertain a motion for adjournment. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot your superintendent comments. No, I didn't. I'm sorry. >> Two events that I was supposed to remind the board about. Um, one is, and I'm trying to find them. Uh, yes. Central High School is that Monday, the ribbon

139cutting 1:30. >> Oh, yeah. >> And then next Tuesday, is it next Tuesday from 3:00 to 5:00? We are uh recognizing and celebrating our retirees from this past school year here in the boardroom. So, if you're available to please come out, that is always a fun event uh next Tuesday. >> Yeah. 3 to 5. Yes. 3 to 5. So, >> all right. Entain a motion for a journ. Okay. If there is no objection, we are ajourned. is next Tuesday from 3:00 to 5:00. We are uh recognizing and celebrating our retirees from this past school year here in the boardroom. So, if you're available to please come out, that is always a fun event. Uh next Tuesday. Yeah. 3 to 5. Yes. 3 to 5. So, All right. Ant motion for adjournment. Okay. If there is

140no objection, we are ajourned.