The state Board of Education has approved a committee of elected officials to recommend potential members to serve on the Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District board if a vote next month brings the district into existence.
The state board voted earlier this year to allow a vote to determine in Jacksonville can create its own school district, separating from the Pulaski County Special School District. If that Sept. 16 vote is successful, the state board would be charged with appointing an interim, seven-member school board which would serve until a regular election is held.
On Thursday, the board voted to approve a committee to consider potential members for that school board. The committee is comprised of:
- State Rep. Mark Perry, D-Jacksonville
- State Rep. Doug House, R-North Little Rock
- State Sen. Linda Chesterfield, D-Little Rock
- State Sen. Eddie Joe Williams, R-Cabot
- State Sen. Jane English, R-North Little Rock
- Pulaski County Justice of the Peace Bob Johnson, D-Jacksonville
- Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher
Arkansas Education Commissioner Tony Wood said the committee should be able to make its recommendations to the state board by October or November. Applications to serve on the interim school board will be made available online and by hard copy.