WHITE HALL – White Hall School District is waiting on legal advice on how to proceed with students currently enrolled under the state School Choice Act of 1989, Superintendent Larry Smith told the White Hall School Board Tuesday.
An Arkansas federal judge struck down the state law Friday, saying it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
While appeals are anticipated, Smith said the Arkansas Department of Education has told schools not to grant transfers under the act and is working with the state attorney general to determine what to do about students who currently are attending schools outside of the districts where they reside.
More than 110 students are enrolled in the district under the act and “84 active applications” were pending when the court ruling was handed down.
White Hall receives $6,267 in state aid funds for each student enrolled in the district.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The White Hall board took no action after Smith’s briefing.
In other action Tuesday, the board:
• Approved a request for use of school facilities for the all-classmates annual reunion Sept. 28 and 29 and the use of the White Hall High School stadium for the annual July 4 fireworks display;
• Acknowledged a letter citing 35 WHHS sophomores for meeting or exceeding ACT benchmarks in English, mathematics, reading and science;
• Recognized student athletics for state accomplishments in soccer, softball and baseball, including two state championships, and two WHHS students who placed high in the state Skills USA competition;
• Approved bids for tile installation at Gandy Elementary School, the purchase of 800 cases of copy paper, athletic and activities insurance, vehicle and property insurance and floor cleaning equipment; and
• Approved district wellness and district parental involvement policies for the 2012-13 school year.