On Friday, the Pine Bluff School district hosted a hearing that would reveal the fate of PBSD’s control by the state, and the vote turned out unanimous. The need for a limited authority came in the wake of fiscal distress that the Pine Bluff school district was experiencing. In just 5 years, substantial improvements have been made for the AR State Board of Edu. to re-examine the district’s progression and make a determination. After conducting school visits at PBH and Forrest Park/Greenville Pre-K campus, the AR State Board had the opportunity to hold their monthly board meeting by way of a suggestion made by state Education Secretary Jacob Oliva. The meeting attracted almost 100 attendees. PBSD Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree and PBSD School Board Pres. Sedrick Rice both made arguments on the district’s ongoing progress and also the PBSD limited authority board’s willingness to work together extensively.
Some of the topics Pine Bluff School District Board Chairman Sederick Rice addressed were his experiences working with the limited authority board, delegating authority to Superintendent Barbaree, and making sure the board is open and engaged with the community:
Superintendent Barbaree made a statement on PBSD improvements and those involved in working to gain back local control of PBSD.
One part of a motion led by board member Kathy McFetridge-Rollins was called to be amended by board member Jeff Wood of Little Rock. The state board voted 5-2 against a plan suggested by him. His suggestion was for four-year terms at each position, starting with three seats up for election in 2024. Woods and Wood voted in favor. The motion amending school board elections and term limits were later voted down, thus keeping original school board seat format. There will be one seat each in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and two seats each in 2027 and 2028, as Rice recommended. The current board was appointed by a state board committee and installed last winter. Lastly, the state board voted 7-0 unanimously to return local control to the PBSD.
Rev. Jesse Turner shared his thoughts on PBSD regaining local control:
PBHS Principal Ronnieus Thompson spoke with Deltaplex News about PBSD regaining local control:
