The Pine Bluff School Board will meet at 6 p.m. today to discuss an Arkansas Department of Education ruling Monday that identified the district as being in fiscal distress.
District officials will meet with the Education Department on Sept. 13, at which time the state will decide whether to classify the PBSD as being in fiscal distress, which is an official declaration that carries more weight than being just being “identified” and can be a precursor to state takeover.
District officials have 30 days to appeal Monday’s ruling, which prevents them from spending any money without state approval.
The ruling was based on declining financial balances. In addition, Cynthia Smith, the Education Department’s coordinator of fiscal services and support, said in a letter to district officials that there “are conditions (in the district) that jeopardize the fiscal integrity of the district and negatively impact the continuation of educational services.”
