A federal judge has approved the new Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District's master building plan despite objections from attorneys representing black children who said it wouldn't provide equal facilities.
U.S. District Judge D. Price Marshall Jr. ruled Thursday that the plan "keeps faith" with desegregation efforts and "is likely to promote, not hinder, eliminating the vestiges of past discrimination insofar as practicable."
But Marshall noted that the plan is incomplete, and he approved it Thursday on the condition that "when-and-how specifics" about replacing four additional elementary schools be added by the end of the year.
The Democrat-Gazette reported earlier this month that attorneys for the black children known as the Joshua intervenors objected to the plan, saying the new district should be required to provide facilities "such as those in Maumelle and Chenal schools."
Marshall on Thursday denied a request for a hearing on the matter and directed the two sides to "continue collaborating then about whatever facilities and staffing issues they believe need attention."
See Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.