The Arkansas Education Commissioner plans to ask the state Board of Education to allow "greater flexibility to make staffing changes" in Little Rock's academically struggling schools.
Education Commissioner Johnny Key said Monday he rejected a tentative contract between the Little Rock district and the Little Rock Education Association union representing the employees. He wants the district and union to return to the bargaining table and make two changes.
“The first change simply restores language regarding recognition of the Little Rock Education Association to what it was in the previous contract," Key said in a statement. “The second change establishes support by Little Rock School District and Little Rock Education Association for a waiver of the cumbersome teacher dismissal laws only for schools receiving a school rating of D or F."
Under Act 930 of 2017, Key said, the state board has authority to waive laws regarding teacher dismissal for school districts "in the Level 5 – Intensive Support category."
Leaders of the district and the union had tentatively had agreed to the 2018-19 contract, minus salary and other provisions to be negotiated later, and sent it to Key on Oct. 3. Key serves as the school board in the state-controlled district and must approve such an agreement. The state-appointed superintendent, Mike Poore, had recommended that Key approve the tentative agreement.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.