Pine Bluff School District Interim Superintendent Phillip Carlock is working to address concerns after a $3.2 million phishing scheme and the discovery of sensitive records in a former district building. Students will soon return to class under the district’s modified calendar.
Carlock stepped into the interim superintendent role about a month ago. He has worked for Pine Bluff schools for five years and took over after former Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree left at the end of June.
The phishing scheme targeted funds set aside for the new high school. Carlock said the district has recovered a little more than $1 million, and the FBI continues to investigate and work to recover more money. Carlock explained the phishing attack did not come from within the district. Staff have put new safeguards in place for email and financial transactions.
Despite the lost funds, Carlock confirmed the new Pine Bluff High School remains under budget and on schedule. Students are expected to move into the new building after Labor Day weekend.
Carlock also responded to concerns about sensitive records found in the district’s old downtown administration building. He learned about the records after local news reports. Maintenance and operations staff collected and disposed of the documents. The district will now shred any records that can be destroyed and will secure those that must be kept by law.
Special education records from the 2019-20 school year are also being destroyed. Parents who want copies of those records can pick them up before August 7.
Carlock said he will focus on improving school operations and rebuilding trust with families and the community.
Students in Pine Bluff return to class Monday, August 3.
