School district takeovers in Arkansas.
DECATUR SCHOOL DISTRICT
August 3, 2008 - The school bookkeeper was arrested on felony theft charges for allegedly stealing $41,471 in school funds. A day earlier, the state of Arkansas took over the Decatur School Board after officials discovered the district hadn't paid federal taxes or reconciled bank accounts since 2005 and faced rising debts.
The state Board of Education decided Thursday to take over the district, removing the district's board members and its interim superintendent. State board members also asked for a detailed study on possibly annexing the small northwest Arkansas district to neighboring Bentonville, Gravette or Gentry school districts.
Bill Goff, an assistant commissioner for the Arkansas Education Department, said the district reported more than $1.3 million in the bank at the close of the 2006-07 school year. But by July 21, the district was $94,747 in debt. The debt is expected to grow to $510,251 by the end of the fiscal year June 30.
Education Commissioner Ken James called the district a “gross, gross mismanagement situation” after recommending that the state board annex it into the neighboring Bentonville, Gravette or Gentry school districts.
The academic record of the district is barely mentioned except in one article, and that largely ignores the scale of the glaring problems.
Except for one grade, Decatur scored drastically below other nearby school districts in both subjects. The academic problems seemed to trouble some board members more - as being potentially unfixable - than the financial problems.GreatsSchools.net rates the school district 3 for appalling test scores.
The elementary school rates 2.
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program =
67%
The middle school rates 5.
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program = 73%
YET - The median household income for Decatur is $34,044. Statewide = $38,588.
AND - The median home price is $208,100. Statewide = $136,700
Population: 1,599
It's not like the state didn't have some clue about the problems in the district. See the 2000 state audit of the district.
See "Decatur Rebirth? Subhead: Residents Fight to Save Schools, Jobs, Community (July12) for a look at the community. No one seems to question why a school district would have an EXCESS of $1 million while property taxation is skyrocketing.
UPDATE ON Decatur - August 7 - Former superintendent Dave Smith, who earned about $89,000 per year and was suspended with pay, now has been fired, said Ken James, the state education commissioner.State officials are unsure of what to do with the remaining two years of Smith's contract.
GREENLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
In July, the state Board of Education voted unanimously to take over Greenland School District. That district will remain open under the control and supervision of the state board. Six local school districts have said they do not want to annex the Greenland School District.
GreatSchools.net on city information on Greenland, Arkansas
Median Income: $51,400 Statewide: $38,588
Median Home Price: $186,300 Statewide: $136,700
Population: 951
Which makes the school figures somewhat odd.
In the elementary school, 53% of the students are eligible for a free or reduced price lunch.
The school rates a 4 for poor academic performance.
The middle school rates a 6, with 49% of the students eligible for a free or reduced price lunch.
The high school rates a 4, with 45% of the students eligible for a free or reduced price lunch.
HERMITAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT
And then there is the Hermitage School District where the school superintendent, treasurer and the construction superintendent have all been charged. Entry
