Judge to weigh approval step in desegregation suit

LITTLE ROCK — A federal judge is expected to rule on a request that he grant preliminary approval to a proposal that would settle a desegregation lawsuit for Little Rock-area schools.

U.S. District Judge D. Price Marshall said earlier in the week that he planned to rule on the request during a Friday morning hearing. If the judge grants approval, that sets the stage for a fairness hearing, after which the settlement could become official.

Arkansas has spent more than $1 billion since 1989 for the Little Rock, North Little Rock and Pulaski County school districts' desegregation efforts.

A trial was scheduled for Dec. 9, which brought the sides to the table to agree on a plan for ending state payments.

If approved, money for desegregation efforts would end in four years.

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