VIDEO: Cabinet secretaries visit Central High, talk historic preservation, transportation

Two members of President Barack Obama's Cabinet spent part of the afternoon in Little Rock holding a discussion on transportation infrastructure and historic preservation before touring Central High School.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx spoke to a group including Central High students, Principal Nancy Rousseau, Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, Little Rock School District Superintendent Michael Poore and two members of the Little Rock Nine — Thelma Mothershed Wair and Elizabeth Eckford.

Afterword, the secretaries spoke about how their two departments work together in terms of transportation infrastructure providing access points to historic sites like Central High School.

Foxx said some infrastructure, like highways, can divide cities or prevent people from visiting certain areas. Those highways and roads are already built, so he looked forward.

“We’ve got to think about how we build differently in the future,” he said.

Jewell also spoke about transportation’s role in getting people to visit historic sites, mentioning a “vision” held by some in Little Rock of somehow connecting Central High School with the Bill Clinton Presidential Library and the city of Hot Springs. She said a bike trail could possibly link all three.

In terms of Central High, Foxx said the still-operational high school need to be preserved.

“It’s not a spring chicken,” he said.

Foxx also praised the bravery of Wair, Eckford and the rest of the Little Rock Nine, who desegregated the high school.

“I’m not sure I’d be secretary of transportation had those folks not stood up and make that walk,” he said.

After speaking to the media, Jewell took a tour of the school with National Park Service Ranger Jodi Morris. She is in the midst of a nationwide tour of national parks as the National Park Service celebrates its 100th anniversary. Foxx toured the outside grounds before he had to leave.

Little Rock Central High School is the only high school in the country that’s also a National Historic Site.

Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.