PCSSD union dispute belongs in state court federal judge rules

LITTLE ROCK, AR - The federal judge overseeing the long running desegregation case denied a motion Tuesday from PCSSD seeking enforcement of recent changes made within the district in response to fiscal problems.

United States District Judge D. Price Marshall said in a 7-page ruling that current financial problems in the Pulaski County Special School District does mean the federal court should get involved.

"The Court is not persuaded by the District's passing arguments that lurking federal questions create jurisdiction to adjudicate the whole District-Unions controversy," the ruling reads.

Superintendent Dr. Jerry Guess recently terminated the contracts with the Pulaski Association of Classrooms Teachers (PACT) and the Pulaski Association of Support Staff (PASS) and implemented personnel policies to replace the contracts with the unions.

PCSSD asked the federal court to declare those steps as valid and enforceable under state law.

Marshall ruled the dispute belongs in state court.

The three county school districts receive approximately $70 million annually from the state as part of enforcing a 1989 desegregation settlement.

A motion from the state to stop the payments is pending in federal court.