| Updated: 10/12/2010 8:36 am |
Published: 10/11/2010 4:41 pm |
Good news for the Pulaski County Special School District: the Arkansas Department of Education says the district isn't technically in academic or fiscal distress.
But that doesn't mean the state board won't take action.
The Pulaski County Special School Board has come under fire for misusing district money. In September, Board of Education Member Sam Ledbetter requested a report to explain what options are available to the state board to help resolve the district board's issues.
"They have asked for our technical assistance to help them to develop a corrective action plan," said Arkansas Department of Education Employee Bill Goff referring to the Pulaski County Special School Board administration, "so we think we're heading in the right direction as far as corrective action."
But Ledbetter wondered if it might be too little, too late.
"Something has to change. It's too important, it's too large of a district. It's just too important."
St. Rep. Mark Perry also spoke at Monday's meeting. He said the only way for his district, Jacksonville, to have free and adequate education options is the leave the Pulaski County Special School District.
"We're not afraid to spend money for education," said Perry, "we would like the opportunity to do so."
The State Board said they're not necessarily against that but won't act without a federal judge's approval. State Board Chair Dr. Naccaman Williams said he will more than likely request a follow-up report on the Pulaski County Special School District in the next couple of months.
