The big news this week at the Little Rock School District has to do with Central High School, where longtime Principal Nancy Rousseau has announced she will be retiring at the end of this year. The other big news is about Hall High School.
State education officials have decided to delay a decision that could significantly reshape the future of Hall High School. The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) voted to table a proposal that would have advanced plans to convert Hall High into a hybrid charter school.
Hall High has experienced a steep decline in enrollment over recent years. Fewer students have translated into financial pressure, as operational and staffing costs remain largely fixed regardless of enrollment levels. Maintaining the campus with a shrinking student body has become increasingly difficult to justify financially.
In response to these challenges, the Little Rock School Board voted in November to convert Hall High into a district-run conversion charter school. The hybrid charter model would allow the school to operate with greater flexibility while still remaining under district control. The move was framed as an effort to prevent the building from closing and sitting vacant.
Financial and staffing questions have intensified scrutiny of the proposal. Records obtained by THV11 show that more than 15 Hall High employees earn between $70,000 and $100,000 annually, most of them teachers. Three employees earn more than $100,000, including two classroom teachers. More than 25 staff members, primarily teacher aides, earn less than $70,000. Although salaries are determined by experience, education and negotiated contracts rather than enrollment numbers, the current staffing structure has raised concerns given the reduced student population.
During Thursday’s meeting, ADE board members expressed reservations about both academic performance and long-term sustainability. Board Member David Peacock cited concerns about declining performance since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arkansas Education Secretary Jacob Oliva acknowledged that districts are attempting to create new options to serve students and families, but he noted that such programs may not suit every community. With the vote tabled, the future of Hall High remains uncertain. This is deeply frustrating and goes to my continual point that the state seems hellbent on the Little Rock School District failing. Let our board and superintendent try this. We can serve these kids with some really innovative ideas.
The Arkansas Department of Education plans to revisit the proposal at its March board meeting and hopes that district leaders will attend to address outstanding questions.
