LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Three Little Rock-area school districts are asking a federal judge to deny Arkansas' attempt to end a desegregation settlement agreement that has required the state to pay the schools more than $1 billion since 1989.
The Little Rock, North Little Rock and Pulaski County Special school districts on Monday filed briefs opposing the state's request last month to end the agreement.
Little Rock said the request should be dismissed and said the state hasn't proven how it's complied with the agreement.
Pulaski County proposed the court modify the agreement and approve creating a Jacksonville-area school district that it says would help the district to attain unitary — or substantially desegregated — status. North Little Rock also argued that if the payments are terminated, they are they should be phased out.
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