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Little Rock School District cuts $15 million from budget

Change is on the way for LRSD as they're cutting $15 million from their budget. The cuts will range from eliminating staff positions to consolidating schools.

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — A big change is on the way for the Little Rock School District— cutting $15 million dollars from the budget could cause big changes for the district.

The decision for those cuts stems from many reasons, including lower enrollment.

Earlier this year, the board voted that something needed to be done, and the district was tasked with figuring out how to make it happen.

"But now we fast forward and we are extremely unstable," said Vicki Hatter, LRSD's zone 6 board member at last Thursday's meeting.

These cuts that are being made stem from declining enrollment, the need for more support staff, and an expansion of programs.

Around $8 million will come from the elimination or restructuring of teacher and staff positions, and another $2.5 million will come from the consolidation of Hall and Little Rock West.

"Coming down the pipe in the next couple school years that is overall going to have an impact on budget as well as student placement," said Hatter.

LRSD has been facing fewer students enrolling and officials foresee that happening again next year. Hatter said this is concerning when we are creating new schools, like Little Rock West.

"Little Rock School District will have a smaller, leaner district. That doesn't mean that it won't be as powerful or as dominant," said Hatter.

Other cuts will come from eliminating certain supplemental programs and a schedule change that will eliminate certain elective programs.

Hatter wants to have a more detailed plan from the district to see how these cuts will affect schools in the future.

LRSD has already begun work to make these changes. However, Hatter said this is still a fluid situation and things could change as they prepare for the next school year.

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