LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — For the first time, we are hearing from the Little Rock School District publicly about an alleged assault that happened this year between board members.
Board member Vicki Hatter said an altercation between her and board president Michael Mason.
"I thought he was going to hit me," Hatter said. "I didn't know what was going on."
In a police report, documents said Hatter and Mason got into a disagreement.
Hatter asked why Mason was pointing at her, to which Mason, according to the report, replied, "I can point. I can do what I want."
The report said Mason spoke aggressively to Hatter and lunged at her. It adds that a board member stood between them while another yelled for Mason to stop.
Before Thursday's agenda meeting, board member Joyce Wesley read a statement addressing these recent headlines.
"We want to reassure the public that the collective board is focused on and committed to the most important matter in LRSD that is improving outcome for all students," Wesley said.
She continued that the LRSD Board of Education is taking steps to improve the governing body, including improving its relationship with the superintendent, offering more training programs for board members, and creating new parliamentary procedures.
Wesley added that disagreements will be handled respectfully, professionally and within Arkansas law.
Mason was not present at Thursday night's meeting. We contacted the district for a comment on his absence but have not received a response.
After the alleged incident, Director Sandrekkia Morning announced she was stepping down from her position on the board.
Morning will vacate the position at the end of November. The board will then have 30 days to make an appointment.
In Thursday's meeting, the superintendent said he hopes to post soon an announcement stating the criteria for applying.
Anyone interested must live within Zone 2, which is a part of south Little Rock. That person will serve until November 2025.
Applications are due at the beginning of November, and the board will hold interviews on Nov. 14.