14322 1 RESOLUTION NO. 14,322
2
3 A RESOLUTION TO COMMEND SUPERINTENDENT BAKER KURRUS
4 FOR HIS TIRELESS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE LITTLE ROCK
5 SCHOOL DISTRICT AND EXPRESS THE CITY'S DISMAY OVER THE
6 STATE ELECTING NOT TO CONTINUE HIS CONTRACT; AND FOR
7 OTHER PURPOSES.
8
9 WHEREAS, it was suddenly announced on April 18, 2016, that the Arkansas State Department of
10 Education intended to replace Baker Kurrus, the Superintendent appointed by the State after it decided to
11 abolish the Little Rock School Board and take control of the Little Rock School District; and,
12 WHEREAS, this decision was made despite the tremendous success Mr. Kurrus has achieved in
13 engaging students, teachers, parents, and community members to improve the operations of the District;
14 and
15 WHEREAS, Mr. Kurrus has brought a strong degree of stability to the District and a fresh optimism
16 about education in the Little Rock School District; and
17 WHEREAS, Mr. Kurrus has led a team of fully committed and hard-working teachers,
18 administrators, and staff;
19 WHEREAS, Mr. Kurrus has guided the District on a path of steadiness with the goal of bringing the
20 District out of academic distress, with one of the schools already removed, and;
21 WHEREAS, Mr. Kurrus has financially overhauled the school district so as to be able to open a new
22 middle school and plan the building of a new high school without seeking an additional school millage;
23 and
24 WHEREAS, Mr. Kurrus has spoken openly and honestly about what it will take to make the Little
25 Rock School District succeed;
26 NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY
27 OF LITTLE ROCK,ARKANSAS:
28 Section 1.The City expresses its concern and dismay about this decision to remove Mr.Kurrus as the
29 Superintendent of the Little Rock School District after less than a year of service which, among other
30 things,has seen monumental steps towards stability and progress in the District.
31 Section 2. The City expresses its profound gratitude to Mr. Kurrus for undertaking this task and
32 commends Mr. Kurrus for his exemplary work and dedication to the students, teachers, parents, and
33 community members of the District.
'Page 1 of 2]
1 Section 4. Severability. In the event any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, subparagraph,
2 item, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this resolution is declared or adjudged to be invalid or
3 unconstitutional, such declaration or adjudication shall not affect the remaining provisions of this
4 resolution, as if such invalid or unconstitutional provision were not originally a part of this resolution.
5 Section 5. Repealer. All ordinances, resolutions, bylaws, and other matters inconsistent with this
6 resolution are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.
7 ADOPTED: April 19,2016
8 ATTE APPROVED.
9
raik10 allw,
11 '.,sin ' 1T1City Clerk Mark Stodola,Mayor •
12 • 'PRO ED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
13 /
14 / ! Ii . w-
15 Thomas M. Carpenter, City Airorney Lance Hines,Vice-Mayor
16
17 /
18 Erma Hendrix,Ward 1 Ken Richardson,Ward 2
19 I�QQ���� /��n
20 //
21 athy We• • Ward 3 ., Brad Cazort,Ward 4
22
23 \ .� L. _�. �a__ `_
24 Doris fight,Ward ` B. .W'7 is , ` a,:r 7
25
t .
26
27 Dean •1411117u it s, t-Large G e Fortson,At-Large
28
29 ; /_
30 /oan Adcock,A - arge
31 //
32 //
33 //
34 //
35 //
36 //
37 //
1Page 2 of 21