The Little Rock School District is preparing for enrollment drops as more students are expected to leave public schools due to the state government’s push for “school choice.” With the introduction of the LEARNS universal voucher program in the 2025-26 school year, the district is anticipating a decrease in revenue. To address this, the school board is considering budget cuts of $15 million for the general operating budget in FY26.
Proposed reductions include personnel cuts in various departments, operational savings, and the sale of Cloverdale Middle School to Exalt Academy. The district is required to sell the property under state law, and Exalt Academy has offered to purchase it for $1,935,000. The proceeds from the sale will be used for capital improvements at Baseline.
Additionally, the board approved the sale of a small piece of land on David O. Dodd Elementary and a new contract with Teach For America to address the shortage of licensed teachers in the district. The SPARK Fellowship program offers support and mentorship to novice teachers, particularly in high-need areas like special education.
Overall, the district is facing financial challenges due to anticipated enrollment drops and increased competition from charter schools. The budget cuts and initiatives such as the partnership with Teach For America aim to address these challenges and ensure that students receive quality education despite the changing landscape of public schooling in Little Rock.
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