State approves almost $88 million in school funding

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) Commission for Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation approved almost $88 million worth of school projects through the Academic Facilities Partnership Program Projects on April 30, including projects for the Marked Tree, Rector and Nettleton School Districts.

According to the ADE’s – Division of Public Schools and Academic Facilities and Transportation website, the Marked Tree School District was awarded funding for two projects, including high school renovations and a new elementary school.

The high school received $923,634.49 to install a split system air conditioning unit with ductwork for the junior high and agri buildings, as well as upgrading the main electrical service, including the main distribution panel and secondary panels.

Meanwhile, the Marked Tree

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Elementary School was awarded $3,899,373.57 for K-2 space replacement, which includes constructing a 9,584-square-foot academic core, a 3,075-square-foot special education space, 860-square-foot media center, a 150-square-foot administrative office and 1,307-square-foot of support spaces.

The website also stated that all Program of Requirements required spaces must be constructed to the required size. The project cost factor includes demolition of 27,638-square-foot of building space. It also noted that failure to complete demolition will result in reduced state financial participation and may result in redetermination of project eligibility.

The Rector School District was awarded $5,206,892.41 to construct a new high school for 207 students in grades 7-12. The project cost factor includes demolition of a 42,436square-foot building space and failure to complete demolition will result in reduced state financial participation and may result in redetermination of project eligibility. The Nettleton University Heights Elementary School was awarded $581,630.87 to install a new metal seam roof.

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Jonesboro man charged with sexual assault, kidnapping

JONESBORO — On Friday, Craighead County District Judge David Boling set bond at $500,000 for a man accused of entering a business and sexually assaulting a 22-year-old employee.

Boling found probable cause to charge Steven Charles Swain, 45, of Jonesboro, with felony second-degree sexual assault and kidnapping-false imprisonment, as well as misdemeanor third-degree battery.

Detective Brandon Butler said in the probable cause affidavit that the woman told police Swain entered the business around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, walked behind the store counter and grabbed her.

“The victim stated that she was able to momentarily escape and get to the door of the store before the male drug her back into the store and got on top of her, Butler wrote. “The victim stated that the male groped her breasts and attempted to pull her pants down.” A witness entered the store and yelled at him, and the suspect left.

Swain was found walking nearby, and surveillance video and the victim’s description of her attacker matched Swain’s appearance, Butler said.

Swain must appear in circuit court on June 28.

If convicted Swain faces a potential 20 years in prison on the sexual assault charge.

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Ballot initiative deadline looms

ROGERS — Groups looking to get ballot initiatives on the November 2024 ballot have until July 5 to get the required number of signatures.

Arkansans for Limited Government is looking to get the state's abortion law on the ballot.

The group needs more than 90,000 signatures to get the amendment onto the ballot. The amendment would make abortion legal up to 18 weeks in a pregnancy, for any reason. It would allow abortion after 18 weeks in cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal anomaly, or to protect the pregnant woman's health or life.

Another group, Arkansas Citizens for Transparency is working to change the state's Freedom of Information Act.

The group has an amendment along with an act that they're looking to get onto the ballot. They'll need more than 72,000 signatures for the amendment and more than 90,000 for the act.