Some Rural Communities Ask Lawmakers to Help Save their Schools
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: March 21, 2013
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Emotions were running high on Tuesday as parents pleaded with lawmakers to help them keep schools from being shut down.
"On behalf of my community the children and parents across our state, i humbly ask of you to do the right thing," says Michelle Cadle, who says she knows how it feels to have her neighborhood school shut down because not enough students attend.
It's what happened to Weiner High School recently.
The House Education Committee also heard from others in that community on a bill presented by Rep. Randy Alexander, who is asking that a study be conducted for two years before closing anymore schools that are below 350 students.
"Dr. Kimbrell indicated that they work with schools that are in financial distress and take over their checkbook for awhile and get them back on their feet, if we can do that with a school with 400 students, why can't we do that with a school that has 340?" Rep. Alexander says.
The bill failed the house by one vote, but Alexander says he will amend the bill and present it again.
"On behalf of my community the children and parents across our state, i humbly ask of you to do the right thing," says Michelle Cadle, who says she knows how it feels to have her neighborhood school shut down because not enough students attend.
It's what happened to Weiner High School recently.
The House Education Committee also heard from others in that community on a bill presented by Rep. Randy Alexander, who is asking that a study be conducted for two years before closing anymore schools that are below 350 students.
"Dr. Kimbrell indicated that they work with schools that are in financial distress and take over their checkbook for awhile and get them back on their feet, if we can do that with a school with 400 students, why can't we do that with a school that has 340?" Rep. Alexander says.
The bill failed the house by one vote, but Alexander says he will amend the bill and present it again.
