Arkansas Education Commissioner Johnny Key on Monday authorized a two-week extension to the Little Rock School District employee contract that was otherwise due to expire at midnight Wednesday.
The extension averts, at least for the time being, the possibility of any job action this week, including a work stoppage that had been discussed as an option by members of the association that is the bargaining agent for teachers and support staff
"The Little Rock School District and the union have just concluded their first meeting with regards to my proposed amendments to the union contract, " Key said in a statement late Monday afternoon.
"As a result, I have authorized [state-appointed Superintendent Mike] Poore to agree to a two-week extension to allow the union to consider language that gives more flexibility to the school district in managing performance."
Key on Oct. 22 had rejected a 2018-19 tentative agreement between the district and the Little Rock Education Association. Key directed Poore to re-enter negotiations with the union to insert language supporting a waiver of state school employee protection laws in the 22 Little Rock district schools – including three high schools – that recently received D and F ratings from the state.
The school ratings, or grades, are based on student achievement and academic gains on the 2018 ACT Aspire, as well as on student attendance, high school graduation data, and college entrance exam scores.
Earlier Monday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the goal of seeking the waiver was to ensure that every child is getting a good education.
"When you look at a D or F school, that's not fair to the children and its not fair to the parents," he said.