Earle School District released from fiscal distress label

School board back in office with limited power, as state maintains control

By Ralph Hardin

ralphhardin@gmail.com

In a special meeting held on Thursday, the Arkansas State Board of Education announced that the Earle School District would be released from its fiscal distress classification.

However, the district will continue to be under state control until next May. The board also approved a recommendation to reinstate the district's suspended board members in a limited- authority capacity.

The Earle School District had been facing fiscal distress since October 2017, which led to the state assuming authority over the district in November of the same year. The local fivemember board was also suspended, functioning as an advisory committee since then, with regular meetings taking place. It is important to note that one board member has since passed away.

Currently, there are five school districts under state authority, including Earle, Pine Bluff, Lee County, Helena-West Helena, and Marvell-Elaine. All five districts have experienced declining enrollment over the past decade, with more than 90% of their students being African American.

This decline in enrollment poses challenges for smaller schools as it directly affects the amount of state funds allocated to them, according to Stacy Smith, Deputy Commissioner for the Arkansas Department of Education.

Earle's fiscal distress classification was primarily due to records indicating improper expenditures of state and federal funds amounting to nearly $2 million, starting from the 2015-16 school year.

Superintendent Smith also highlighted the unsafe conditions of the elementary school facilities, which had not been properly maintained.

To address the financial crisis, the district received a loan of approximately $646,636 from the state, which was used to repay the federal funds. Smith mentioned that significant progress has been made in repaying the loan.

Additionally, in May 2019, the district received a Level 5 Intensive Support classification, signifying the need for substantial improvements in academic performance. While there have been advancements, such as improved student growth and 71% of teachers now being licensed, Smith stated that the district still has a way to go.

Smith expressed reservations about recommending the district's release from state control, emphasizing that consolidation, annexation, or other actions may still be necessary. Concerns were raised by community members during the meeting regarding challenges with teacher recruitment and reinstating the previous school board members.

State officials suggested that lifting the suspension on the board members' powers would be the quickest way to work towards local control. The limitedauthority board, which will replace the advisory committee, will remain in place until next May. Over the next year, the district will work on determining the timing of a school board election and scheduling staggered elections for different zones. Education Secretary Jacob Oliva acknowledged that the Earle District's recovery would not happen overnight, considering the district's past struggles. He assured stakeholders of the state's commitment to supporting Earle's improvement and emphasized that the conversation about the district's future is ongoing.

The Education Board's decision to release the Earle School District from fiscal distress marks a significant step forward, but challenges remain on the path towards full local control. With continued support and collaboration, the district aims to overcome these hurdles and provide a quality education for its students.

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