Flurry of Legislative Activity in Arkansas After Court Names Special Masters

Two special masters, recently appointed by the Arkansas Supreme Court to determine if the state has satisfied the court's order to create a constitutionally sound school funding system, face an April 3, 2004 deadline. A flurry of legislative activity -- shortly after the court named the special masters -- ended an extended 61-day special session. State legislators approved a higher sales tax, additional accountability measures for students and schools, teacher incentives, preschool for low-wealth communities, and $10 million for an assessment of school building needs.

Legislators and the state's Attorney General declared the progress significant and sufficient to fulfill the court's order in the school funding litigation, Lake View School District v. Huckabee. Nonetheless, attorneys for the Lake View plaintiffs contend that the state has fallen far short of its constitutional obligations and believe the special masters will reach that conclusion.

Consolidation Deadline Approaches

Also during the special session, the Legislature passed a bill that orders school districts with less than 350 students to consolidate by July 1, 2004 - despite extensive research that shows small schools and districts are more effective and efficient that large schools/districts.

Former Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Bradley Jesson and former Arkansas Supreme Court Justice David Newburn will determine if the state's legislative and executive branches have taken adequate strides to improve public education in Arkansas.

Fast-moving events in Arkansas over the last year were reported here in:

Arkansas Supreme Court To Use Special Master in School Funding Case, January 26, 2004;
Advocacy and Policy Organizations Unite to Fight Arkansas School Consolidation, November 13, 2003;
Arkansas "Adequacy Study" Calls for Increased Funding and Recommends Major Restructuring, September 4, 2003; and
Arkansas Legislature Takes First Steps to Comply with Lake View Ruling, January 23, 2003.

The Arkansas Rural Education Association has announced that about 30 small school districts will join a lawsuit to be filed in federal court during spring 2004.

Prepared February 13, 2004