Desegregation Setback for Pulaski County Special School District
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: December 10, 2012
The Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) has suffered another setback in its battle to prove it is desegregated.
A federal judge in Little Rock has denied the PCSSD's request for declaration of partial unitary status and release from supervision by the court.
"The Court is heartened that, from Joshua's perspective, PCSSD is moving diligently to address the areas where the District is not in compliance. The Court appreciates and applauds PCSSD's update, but denies the motion without prejudice," Judge Marshall said in his ruling.
In his ruling Monday, U.S. District Judge D. P. Marshall said he would be willing to hold hearings on the matter in August and September.
PCSSD says it is there, or almost there, in student assignment, advanced placement and gifted and talented and honors programs, special education, and staffing. These are four of the nine areas where the District has not met its Desegregation Plan obligations, the ruling notes.
The PCSSD first petitioned for unitary status in 2007, but was denied last year.
Marshall said the district should file a status report by February 1 based on more complete information and definitive intentions.
Both the North Little Rock and Little Rock school districts have already been declared unitary.
A federal judge in Little Rock has denied the PCSSD's request for declaration of partial unitary status and release from supervision by the court.
"The Court is heartened that, from Joshua's perspective, PCSSD is moving diligently to address the areas where the District is not in compliance. The Court appreciates and applauds PCSSD's update, but denies the motion without prejudice," Judge Marshall said in his ruling.
In his ruling Monday, U.S. District Judge D. P. Marshall said he would be willing to hold hearings on the matter in August and September.
PCSSD says it is there, or almost there, in student assignment, advanced placement and gifted and talented and honors programs, special education, and staffing. These are four of the nine areas where the District has not met its Desegregation Plan obligations, the ruling notes.
The PCSSD first petitioned for unitary status in 2007, but was denied last year.
Marshall said the district should file a status report by February 1 based on more complete information and definitive intentions.
Both the North Little Rock and Little Rock school districts have already been declared unitary.
