Little Rock, Arkansas: Dr. Anika Whitfield Pleads for a Return of Democracy; by Diane Ravitch

The state took control of the Little Rock School District because 6 of its 48 schools were low-performing. Instead of helping the schools, the state simply abolished local control. The Walton family dominance of the state's economy plays a large role in the state! In the absence of a democratically elected school board to manage the over $350 million dollar budget the sole appointed board member  &state commissioner of education missed all hearings.We want to know where have the city, county, state, federal, and limited and regulated private dollars been allocated, spent, diverted, or unused by the LRSD board, the ADE, & the LRSDadministration? Our list of demands begin with: Immediate return of entire LRSD; Local, democratic board elections or reinstatement of last elected board; Reopening of our neighborhood public schools they closed.  Nullification of the current blueprint."more...