Arkansas Blog: LRSD back channel UPDATE

A fight Tuesday between two female Little Rock high school students that grew into a melee that left several wounded by gunshots prompted sometimes tense group e-mail communications yesterday among Little Rock School Board members. The fight occurred in Boyle Park about 3 p.m. on what was apparently, at least for some, a "Senior Skip Day." (Maybe Skip Day, an old tradition, needs to be discouraged. It is officially unofficially held toward the end of the school year, as one commenter has pithily noted.)

NEW: The police narrative.

Check the jump for some of the school board back and forth.

UPDATE: I've added more after the original post as school board dialogue has continued. Perhaps a public meeting would be in order, since they are conducting public business as a group in a forum not readily available to the public.

UPDATE II: Still more Board member e-mail below and City Director Doris Wright, whose district includes Boyle Park, issued a statement today. She said she'll be working with police and others to discourage such gatherings in the park in the future and added, "I want the public to know that this unfortunate incident in no way reflects this park or the community in which it is located."

FROM TIFFANY HOFFMAN IN THE DISTRICT COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

There was an incident at Boyle Park today after school involving Fair and Hall students. Details are not clear at this time, but this is what we believe to have happened at this time. It is reported that two female students met at the park after school today to fight over a boy. One of the females was beaten pretty badly at the park. Other people (not clear exactly who) continued to show up and cause more fighting. Four Hall students and one J.A. Fair student were shot and taken to Baptist Hospital and Children’s. LRPD will continue to investigate into the late evening. Bobby Jones is requesting additional LRPD officers be placed at both Hall and J.A. Fair tomorrow.

Channel 7 is reporting on both incidents. I have an interview at 6:30 with them tonight.

I will do an interview with Channel 16 this evening regarding the Hall and Fair incident.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette wanted to know if there were any incidents at school that would have lead to the events after school. There have been none reported at this time.

FROM BOARD MEMER MELANIE FOX

The press has already started calling me. The voicemail messages states that they want to know if Hall and JA Fair will have school tomorrow, how many people were hurt, why they were at the Park prior to school dismissing etc.. I have not spoken with anyone but I did call Dr. Watson about whether JA Fair and Hall will have school tomorrow. I have received a few phone calls from parents wanting to know what we are going to do about discipline at Hall. They, also, stated that their kids (and the whole school) knew there was going to be a showdown at the Park this afternoon.

FROM BOARD MEMBER BAKER KURRUS

I did not see any of the news at 6...

I would be extremely cautious with respect to live interviews.

FROM BOARD MEMBER LARRY BERKLEY 9:19 PM TUESDAY

I have worked with 6 superintendents (permanment and interim) now in my 12 years on the board. I can not imagine any one of the other superintendents who would have not personnally called the board members in a situation as serious as this.

FROM BOARD MEMBER MICHEAL DAUGHERTY 2:22 AM WEDNESDAY

This incident did not happen on LRSD property and the people involved were not under LRSD supervision because it was Senior Skip Day (according to those interviewed).

I think it is irresponsible of you to blame Dr. Watson for something that occurred in a city park and far away from any school campus. What was she suppose to report to you? Everyone learned the details as they became available through the LRPD. It should be very apparent the LRSD has little or no authority here and limited investigative ability. This is clearly a matter for the City of LR and the detectives of the LRPD. Also, I can remember several incidents that occurred at some of our high schools that were never reported to the board. We learned of them through the local news media. Shall I provide you past e-mails which address the matter?

FROM TIFFANY HOFFMAN, 4:43 AM WEDNESDAY

Dr. Watson asked me to send you an update on information we have at this
time.

Bobby Jones has been working with contacts at LRPD to get as many details as
possible. However, the situation at Boyle Park this afternoon was very
complicated and the police will be working on interviewing witnesses late
into the night. There will be no final report from LRPD tonight.

At this time it looks like a parent/adult was the one who brought the gun to
the park and did the shooting.

Additional security will be at each of the high school campuses and
school-wide scans will be conducted at the high schools. Additional LRPD
officers have been requested for Hall and Fair.

FROM BOARD MEMBER MELANIE FOX 6:16 AM WEDNESDAY

Larry Berkley did not blame Dr. Watson for this incident. He merely stated that the board should have been notified. I returned home last night to a phone ringing off the wall. Parents and the media called and want questions answered. I realize this is a community issue and played out at a park however, why were students meeting at a park prior to school letting out? Another big question was; what is the district going to do about the safety of our students at Hall and JA Fair? How reassuring would it be if I had said, "not sure"?

FROM BOARD MEMBER MICHEAL DAUGHERTY 7:58 AM WEDNESDAY

From the interviews last evening, this was senior skip day and none of these students had attended school that day. The communications officer tried to keep you up to date on information as she received it regarding the incidents. This was an incident that happened outside the LRSD and allowed us limited jurisdiction. This is clearly a matter for the LRPD and the courts.

FROM BOARD MEMBER LARRY BERKLEY 7:33 AM WEDNESDAY

Three students at our schools were shot and another school had a gun inside the school. Those are significant enough that we should get a personal call from the superintendent. I still have not gotten a report of the condition of the students, except what I hear and read in the media.

FROM BOARD MEMBER MICHEAL DAUGHERTY 8:16 AM WEDNESDAY

The three students were not at our schools. They attend our schools but, according to reports, not that day. Ms.Hoffman e-mailed you as late as 0447 this morning with reports.

FROM INTERIM SUPT. LINDA WATSON 9:01 AM WEDNESDAY

When I left work, I attended another meeting. I was not at home and did not have your phone numbers with me. Therefore, I asked Mrs. Hoffman to send an email. I contacted Mr. Jones and he did not have the information and informed me that the information would not be ready until later that night. I can't give you, what I don't have.

FROM INTERIM SUPT. LINDA WATSON 9:05 AM WEDNESDAY

I didn't know who was shot until later and asked Mrs. Hoffman to send the email.

FROM SECURITY CHIEF ROBERT JONES 8:17 AM WEDNESDAY

The Safety and Security Department has assigned three officers to Hall High School and the police department has assigned one additional police officer at Hall. There has been two additional security officers and one police officer assigned to JA Fair to assist the principals.

It is my understanding at talking to the police that the incident had nothing to do with either Fair or Hall except the students participating in the assaults attended those two schools. The rumors are that the fight started between two girls, one from Hall and one from Fair, that were fighting over a boy and a problem that occurred several months ago. Unfortunately from this incident, students started emailing each other, parents became involved and a large number of students gathered. That’s when all the problems erupted. Several cars had their windows knocked out and the police believe that there were actually two guns being fired during the disturbance.

We are in the process of compiling names of students who were involved and will be working with the police department to assist them in identifying the individuals who were firing weapons or assaulting students. The police department has stated they hope to have us a copy of the police reports. It is my understanding that there are ten to fifteen reports. Both Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Hall have done an excellent job in getting their staff ready and being proactive for school this morning. We expect no problems, but if there are we will certainly have the manpower to handle it. I appreciate the cooperation that we’ve received from both principals and I will have a detailed report to the administration as soon as I receive the police reports.

Both Fair and Hall will have full school scans. In addition to officers being assigned to Hall and Fair, one mobile security officer has been assigned to Wakefield to assist Mr. Taylor because of the weapon that was discovered and the threat that was made to the student.

FROM BOARD MEMBER MELANIE FOX 8:35 AM WEDNESDAY

Micheal,

I did not get any report at 4:47 this morning. Would you please forward what you have received? I plan on visiting Hall this morning and would like to be able to respond to staff and parents appropriately.

FROM BOARD MEMBER MELANIE FOX 11:07 AM WEDNESDAY

Fellow Board Members,

I just visited Hall and I am happy to report that everything was running smoothly. The school was clean, traffic in halls was orderly, teachers were teaching and I was very impressed with the students and staff. I would like to encourage you all to visit Hall. Despite some bad publicity lately, there are some great things going on there.

FROM INTERIM SUPT. LINDA WATSON 1:15 PM WEDNESDAY

Board Members:

1. On yesterday at approximately 5:10, I was informed that a serious incident had occurred at Boyle Park involving Hall and J. A. Fair High School students.

2. I went to Mr. Babbs’ office in an effort to get details.

3. He called Mr. Jones, Director of Safety and Security, while I was in his office. However, he did not answer. He also attempted to contact Mrs. Rhonda Hall, Principal at Hall, but she could not be reached.

4. I explained to Mr. Babbs that I was leaving to attend another meeting and asked him to contact me when he had further news.

5. I received a call stating that a student had been killed.

6. While driving to the meeting, I contacted Mr. Jones, via cell phone and he told me that was not true; however, some students had been shot; but their injuries were not life threatening. He was waiting on further details. At that time, he did not know who, what, etc.

7. I attended the meeting. While exiting the meeting, I received a call stating that Mrs. Fox was trying to contact me.

8. I returned the call to Mrs. Fox who was concerned about the calls that she had received.

9. I called Mr. Jones again in an effort to get further information. He still did not know the details and stated that it would be awhile before he could get police reports due to the number of witnesses.

10. I called Mrs. Griffin so that she could send an email to the Board. She did not answer so I left a message.

11. Mrs. Hoffman was contacted and she sent information to the Board stating that we did not have the details.

This morning I visited Hall, along with Mr. Babbs and as stated below, everything was running smoothly. As I was leaving to go to J. A. Fair, Mr. Fields reported that everything was going well at J. A. Fair. He stated that Mr. Bobby Jones was there with him.

I know now from the police reports, Mr. Jones, Mrs. Hall, and Mrs. Allen, students from J. A. Fair were fighting and others jumped in the fight who attend Hall and Fair. Apparently, someone else started shooting. One student from Hall was beaten with a baseball bat and one was grazed by a bullet. Two students from Fair was shot, one in the foot and another was grazed on the shoulder by a bullet. Two other students fought and received injuries. A non-student was hit by a car.

Today, additional security guards and police were sent to both schools and everything seems to be going well. The schools’ administrators are conducting interviews with students to determine who were involved and if they came to school and then left or did not attend school on yesterday.

Because this incident occurred away from school, it was difficult to get the details in a timely manner. As I receive more information, I will forward to your attention.

FROM INTERIM SUPT. LINDA WATSON 4:14 PM

Dear Board Members:

Mr. Robert Jones, Director of Safety and Security, emailed the following report to me. I am forwarding it you in an effort to keep you informed on the educational climate at J. A. Fair and Hall High Schools. From all of the reports that I received, all went well today.

After talking with the principals and security officers at Fair and Hall, there was nothing unusual other than a minor problem at lunch between two individuals at Hall and no one was arrested. There was a minor problem at Hall reference to the early morning scan, because there were not enough scanners. We have since sent additional scanners to the school and I don’t think we will have the same problem if we have to do a full school scan again. There have been no indications that the events that occurred at Boyle Park yesterday afternoon carried over to the schools.

Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Allen have requested that additional security return to their schools and their requests will be granted by our department. The police department has advised us that they are going to increase the number of officers that are patrolling around Hall during the basketball tournament by two, and this should assist in proactive in any problems occurring during the basketball tournament.

Coach Johnson has done an excellent job in getting the gym ready and the security department has worked with him in getting security in place.

Again, I want to commend the excellent ways Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Hall have worked with the security department. We do not look for any further problems from the incident at Boyle Park. Copies of the police report have been given to both principals and we have asked the staff if a student gives any information about who the subjects were that had the guns and fired the weapons at the incident or the individuals that had the baseball bats, pass that information to the security officers and the SROs working at their school.

On talking to the detectives working the ballpark incident, they have good leads on the two people who they believe fired weapons and I expect that they will make an arrest today or tomorrow.

FROM SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT KATHERINE MITCHELL

I agree that any type of violence where individuals are injured is serious. However, this situation happened in the park and not on a school campus. Therefore, it is being handled or investigated by the police department. The district administrators, including the director of safety and security, had limited information. Even though I was not called at 5:10 PM when the incident was reported, I do appreciate getting the information as the administrators learned more about the incident.

Comments

It is sad that Larry Berkeley takes the position against the superintendent that he does considering the circumstances. Rather than express concern for the student's safety or behavior, he immediately goes off on a tangent. What an ass!!

I think he needs to resign or refuse to run for election next term based upon this conduct. It's apparent that he's working against the curent superintendent and will stoop to any spiteful remark to show his disdain for her. Again, what an ass!

Posted by: Jake da Snake | February 27, 2008 06:24 AM

Now with this type of stuff occurring why would ANY parent in their right mind want to sent their child to a Charter School when they could be side by side with the pillars of the community?

C'mon parents, strap your child with a 9 mm and a shank. Drop them off at your local public school to get their learning on.

Darwinism at its finest.

Posted by: beefmon | February 27, 2008 06:30 AM

Ah, young love. Hope at least one of them got the guy in the end after all that trouble. Relax everyone. No seriou injuries and I'm sure they all intended to get home early to get their homeowrk done so that they could keep their test scores up to the 6th grade level or so.

Posted by: IABL1969 | February 27, 2008 07:01 AM

My prediction is this is a preview of news stories to come, thanks to Dr. Mitchell and the rest of the gang of four.

The charters will skim the cream of teachers and students from what is left of the school system. Those that can't get in to a charter school will flee to Bryant, Cabot, or Conway. The LRSD will be left with schools that are little better than Juvenile Detention facilities. And you know who ultimately gets hurt. The children of poor parents who can't flee.

Thanks Dr. Mitchell. Perhaps you could join the MLK commission and give them some iron fisted leadership. They operate like the LRSD board.

Fortunately, their problems don't impact innocent children. Your problems do.

Posted by: Stump | February 27, 2008 07:10 AM

beefmon,

Racists who invoke Darwin make me sick. You don't deserve the benefits of evolutionary science.

(No, cloaking your bigotry in code doesn't make you any better. Just the opposite, really.)

Posted by: John A Arkansawyer | February 27, 2008 07:12 AM

Let's see here, Stump:

Walter Hussman and elements of the Walton family are out to institutionalize racism and economic segregation by using charter schools as a hammer to smash the public school system, and you blame the school board which is under attack. Uh-huh.

The most pressing thing that I see which "impacts innocent children" is Hussman's boot in the system's groin.

Posted by: John A Arkansawyer | February 27, 2008 07:18 AM

John A - I am not racist. I just can't stand kids that act like idiots and thugs. I am an equal opportunity offender.

Posted by: beefmon | February 27, 2008 07:22 AM

I am sure you are right. The rapidly deteriorating discipline which ties up teaching resources would not be a problem without the Hussman influence.

If my choice of free school was Fair, Hall, or eSTEM I sure take a long look.

Posted by: mudturtle | February 27, 2008 07:28 AM

John A,

I heard that Hussman set the whole thing up. Announced skip day; told one of the girls that the other was after her boyfriend; even supplied the guns!

That guy will stop at nothing to destroy LRSD.

Posted by: Doc | February 27, 2008 07:30 AM

"Those that can't get in to a charter school will flee to Bryant, Cabot, or Conway. "

Too late....

Posted by: Perplexed | February 27, 2008 07:38 AM

I've often said that Hussman is really the financial muscle behind the gang of four. He is funneling money through shell corporations to insure that truly incompetent board members take control of the school district. Of course, he protests and publicly sends money to the other side, but his real agenda is much more sinister. Once he is able to put his marks on the school board then he conveniently provides space for a new charter school that will siphon off some of the top public school children in the city (those who haven't moved or bailed out for a private school). Then, he stands atop the world watching the rest of the city schools add bars to their windows and become little more than juvenile detention that keeps thugs and criminals off the street during the day while people aren't at home to defend their property.

Insert your own diabolical laugh here.

If you see him invest in a security system company, just try to tell me that it isn't all planned. Yep, that Hussman is a crafty old bastard.

Posted by: Stump | February 27, 2008 07:41 AM

Your language is racist. Why should I assume your argument is not?

mudturtle,

My daughter is in public elementary school, but: I wouldn't send her to eSTEM even if it were a public school. (I say this as someone whose life is Science, Technology, and Math.) It's designed with right-wing ideology in mind.

Doc,

As I was dropping my daughter off at school earlier this month, I saw one of the other parents, on her way to work, come in with her three children. The youngest, a toddler maybe three, was carrying a can of Coke. My first thought was, "Who lets a three-year-old kid drink a Coke for breakfast?" On reflection, my considered thought was, "Who profits from organizing and enforcing a society so that it's easier for a parent to give a three-year-old a Coke than an apple juice?"

The answer to that question is Walter Hussman and his ilk. So, you are absolutely right to say, "Hussman set the whole thing up." He has accomplices, too.In the words of the Excitable Boy:

"He thinks he'll be all right, but he doesn't know for sure
Like every other unindited co-conspirator"

Posted by: John A Arkansawyer | February 27, 2008 07:47 AM

Ahhhh.... the smell of white bigotry and stupidity in the morning.

Posted by: Eureka Springs, AR | February 27, 2008 07:50 AM

John A said: "On reflection, my considered thought was, "Who profits from organizing and enforcing a society so that it's easier for a parent to give a three-year-old a Coke than an apple juice?"

How placing blame on who bought the Coke? Last time I was at the EZ Mart they had Cokes, apple juice, water and even beer.

Personal parental choice is the reason for that toddler having a Coke in their hand not some governmental conspiracy. If the parent does not want their kid drinking Coke, they should do something about it. Don't expect the government to raise your child to be an upstanding citizen. If you do, you will be disappointed constantly.

Posted by: beefmon | February 27, 2008 07:55 AM

Let's just be honest John and say what you really want to say. It's "The Man" who is causing the problems.

Because we all know in America that we don't have personal choice and have to blindly follow where the forces of commercialism lead. I'm pretty sure that is a founding principle of the country. That individual liberty stuff doesn't kick in until you hit a certain level of economic success. And if you haven't hit that level by around 20, then just give up because clearly The Man has decided you shouldn't succeed and you might as well quit trying.

(ssshhhhh, don't tell our friend Gell7 the roaming street videographer that he doesn't have any individual liberty. It might piss him off).

Posted by: Stump | February 27, 2008 07:59 AM

"Ahhhh.... the smell of white bigotry and stupidity in the morning."

Does that smell like kids acting like thugs and idiots and folks blaming the schools instead of the parents of allowing that type of behavior?

Posted by: beefmon | February 27, 2008 08:00 AM

I say! SPARE THAT ROD...AND SPOIL THAT CHILD...let the teachers, newpaper moguls, and music videos raise your children...you're working two jobs right?

I don't think so...place the fear of God, (something) into that child. Make that child accountable, and instead of giving in to the cheap and quick way of feeding the child take the time to introduce the child to a sit down breakfast/dinner.
Stop blaming school boards, and any single other player...and blame the parents...no other is needed for blame...
if not...then go ahead...spare that rod and spoil that child...been that way since at least what? the eighties....wait...maybe the sixties...

Posted by: mallen1 | February 27, 2008 08:05 AM

mallen1 - I agree with you 100%.

Your kids are going to be as good as the effort you put into raising them. If you expect the schools or government to do it, you get what you paid for.

Posted by: beefmon | February 27, 2008 08:14 AM

"She says it started as a fight between 2 girls over a boy and .."

You don't suppose this was over McFadden, do you? After all, he has two little ones on the way and I am sure there are others who would like to have a finger in the pie (is this a bad use of words?) on all this NFL moola that's coming his way.

Posted by: Cato | February 27, 2008 08:15 AM

beefmon - I wasn't referring to schools, kids, or parents. I was referring to your first comment in this thread. You tie Darwinism to the poor only (you know, the non pillars of community).. How racist, stupid and or naive (at best) can one get? Either you attempted snark a little to early in the morning and failed miserably or you have some serious confederate leanings. I'm jus sayin'.

Say hello to Walter and Richard Mellon.... they have not fooled all of us yet.

Posted by: Eureka Springs, AR | February 27, 2008 08:19 AM

Eureka, before you get too full of yourself, read your comments again.

"You tie Darwinism to the poor only (you know, the non pillars of the community)...How racist,"

Um, don't want to break the news to you, but in your haste you reveal your own bigotry. Unless I'm mistaken, equating poverty and race would be classic hidden bigotry. You even managed to take it one step further and equate lack of status as "pillars of community" as racist as well.

Just to clarify, what exactly is the racial composition of Carrol County, that haven of integration in Arkansas?

Posted by: Stump | February 27, 2008 08:24 AM

And for the record, I do agree that Beefmon's original post was racially insensitive at best and bigoted at worst (and not just because it invoked Darwin).

Posted by: Stump | February 27, 2008 08:28 AM

John,

(I thought eSTEM IS going to be a free public school?)

I understand and respect your decision not to send your child there. Choice is a wonderful option.
Would you send her to Fair or Hall?

Posted by: mudturtle | February 27, 2008 08:31 AM

(Maybe Skip Day, an old tradition, needs to be discouraged.)

"Senior Skip Day" was never encouraged when I was a LRSD High School student 20-something years ago and I doubt it is an event the schools promote to the students. Kids are going to be kids and, yes, unfortunately bad things sometimes happen. I don't know how the LRSD could have prevented this from happening.

Posted by: ICat Fowler | February 27, 2008 08:33 AM

ICat,

How about putting in place a policy that says the next two basketball, baseball, etc games or other competitive event (band, etc), will be forfeited by the school if the students participate. A couple of years of holding fast to that policy should create enough peer pressure to stop the problem.

Posted by: Stump | February 27, 2008 08:36 AM

Senior Skip Day in February? Highs in the 40s? Bull Shit.

Posted by: slydog | February 27, 2008 08:38 AM

Stump,

I can go with the band competitions, but messing with sports for the sake of education and safety? Now you have gone too far!

Posted by: Doc | February 27, 2008 08:41 AM

Mudturtle -

There are almost 1500 students at Hall and around 1000 at Fair. How do the actions of a few students at a PUBLIC PARK serve as any indicator of what happens at the schools?

Does McFadden's incident at Ernie Biggs mean that I shouldn't send my kids to the U of A?

Posted by: slydog | February 27, 2008 08:42 AM

As I said before - "I am not racist. I just can't stand kids that act like idiots and thugs. I am an equal opportunity offender."

Did the report say anything about the race of the children that were involved in this act of stupidity? Did I mention ANYTHING about race? You guys brought up race not me.

Karma is a bitch - you get what you put out there no matter what race you are.

Kids were acting foolishly and things happened. End of story.

Posted by: beefmon | February 27, 2008 08:44 AM

According to the scurriolous Hussman rag that Max loves to hate, the shooter was the father of one of the girl, apparently the one who got beat up the most.

It is interesting to see how the various school board factions responded. It will be interesting to see how the factions behind the factions respond.

Posted by: 24fps | February 27, 2008 08:48 AM

What we have here is a failure to communicate.

Every party involved in this mess for the last 50 years has got to share some blame by either omission or commission. Little Rock, Arkansas has no business getting to this point.

Posted by: Fletch | February 27, 2008 09:04 AM

Cato, How do you know Darren is about to be a "Baby Daddy??"

Posted by: Nanc | February 27, 2008 09:07 AM

Sly,

In that since it is a shame that I picked Hall and Fair. The incident that happened yesterday did not in any way lower my already poor opinion of those two schools.

If those were the two choices for my children, I'd move, home school, try a charter, or get another job and go private.

For the 2500 students who attend those schools by choice, I am greatful they get that option.

Posted by: mudturtle | February 27, 2008 09:15 AM

What a bad excuse for leadership. Would Berkeley really want a superintendent to make individual calls rather than using a group email given the pressing matters demanding her attention? His pot shot at Watson is misguided. But then Daughterty takes his typical leap to see a racial attack in all things said and tries to tag Berkeley with blaming Watson for the shooting incident. Not what Berkley did at all. Can Daugherty read?

Posted by: PVNasby | February 27, 2008 09:17 AM

Fletch said: "Every party involved in this mess for the last 50 years has got to share some blame by either omission or commission. "

Fletch, please define every party.

I was at work earning a living. After that, I went home, made sure my kids did their homework and then cooked dinner. BTW, we had spaghetti with the wacky noodles. How should I share blame with a bunch of kids (none were mine) acting like idiots?

How should any parent that actually takes an active role in their children's life take blame for this?

Posted by: beefmon | February 27, 2008 09:19 AM

The emails just seem indicative of the problems in communication and leadership that start at the top and lead....well, nowhere except in a terrible circle.

just a shame.

Posted by: Littlecrock | February 27, 2008 09:22 AM

I think failure to comminucate is exactly what's going on here. Berkley simply wanted the Super. to inform the board of what was going on and how it was going to be handled instead of learning things through the media. I was appalled watching the 6 PM news and I am sure board members got lots of phone calls from concerned parents. They should be able to answer questions and calm fears with information from Dr. Watson. She is not to blame for what happended-Berkley never said that. Daughtery's stance gets way too defensive for no reason. But, Watson should be sure the kids involved in this are held accountable for their bad choices. Parents (and kids) are watching how this will be handled.

Posted by: tiredofbs | February 27, 2008 09:24 AM

Your compassion is overwhelming, beefmon. If we threw you a parade to celebrate what a perfect parent you are, could you then muster up an ounce of compassion for those less fortunate?

Posted by: starbuck | February 27, 2008 09:26 AM

Anybody know which board members are up for election this year? I'm thinking Larry and Dr. Mitchell. (or it might be Armstrong).

Posted by: Stump | February 27, 2008 09:31 AM

Sorry, too general, I know.

I would like to say everyone has done there best and it was not good enough but, the Little Rock I know is fairly inclusive. Leadership on both sides has been so poor for so long. It is hard for me to imagine that this was inevitable.

I understand White Flight. There are parents who don't want to be bothered. There are poor parents are not capable of being involved. And, there are parents doing their job like parents always have, like mine did, however poorly or well, I went to school clean after a good night's sleep and some form of breakfast to make my grades and prepare for college.

The parents who left contributed to the slide and the parents who send 'kids in crisis' to school contribute. And the school board that will not address these issues based on fine legal points and low personal interest contribute to what is already at least one lost generation and now what is possibly going to be a lost inner city.

Posted by: Fletch | February 27, 2008 09:34 AM

Starbuck - You would be surprised what I would do and have done for people that actually put forth a little effort and don't just stand there waiting and EXPECTING someone to help them out.

I am not a perfect parent by any means but I expect a little more out of myself and my offspring.

A quote about the "less fortunate"....

"I decided that "less fortunate" was a phrase that needed to go. It needs leave the lexicon of mainstream media moonbats who insist that being "less fortunate" is all based on luck. There is no such thing as work ethic, individual achievement or personal responsibility. If you succeed, then you did it only because you were lucky. If you don't succeed, it is not because you were lazy but because you were dealt an unlucky hand."- Neal Boortz

Posted by: beefmon | February 27, 2008 09:37 AM

"The emails just seem indicative of the problems in communication and leadership that start at the top and lead....well, nowhere except in a terrible circle."

That's so right. It is amazing how immediate and consuming the dysfunction is.

It is a shame that the federal government cannot step in and take over Little Rock schools. We need some external group to save us from ourselves, because we (Little Rock) are clearly incompetent. If our school system were a garden, we'd plow it under and start over. If it were a house, we'd bulldoze it and start over. If it were a car, we'd get rid of it and buy a new one.

Posted by: Hillary.Clinton.Will.Lose.To.McCain | February 27, 2008 09:43 AM

Stump - How and why you want to take my interpretation of beefs comment as being racist myself.. well it's fancy footwork but does not fly or even hop. (Clearly beef was using pillar as a slur and I clarified for him.. that it didn't pass the smell test)

As for Carroll Cty.. the last time I checked, roughly twenty five years ago.. there was one black citizen.. an elementary school kid with mental disabilities.. I think the AA population has soared by several thousand percent since then and everyone is welcome. However the Hispanic population has increased far more than African Americans with no Springdale Rodgers ICE nonsense, none.

Posted by: Eureka Springs, AR | February 27, 2008 09:46 AM

What's wrong with "less fortunate"?

If you deny that fortune plays a role in success or failure, and argue that individual merit is the sole determinant of destiny, then not only are you blind to history but you also deny God. But, hey, that's Neil Boortz!

Posted by: Hillary.Clinton.Will.Lose.To.McCain | February 27, 2008 09:54 AM

Fortunate is defined as having good fortune; receiving good from uncertain or unexpected sources; lucky: a fortunate young actor who got the lead in the play.

Using that definition "fortunate" people are just lucky and it has nothing to do with personal responsibility, proper choices in life and hard work.

I don't deny God, just organized religion.

"I believe in a God that does not need to be heavily financed."
Irwin M. Fletcher

Posted by: beefmon | February 27, 2008 10:10 AM

Mr. Berkley's reference to the number of superintendents that he has worked with seems to imply that the current super is different in that she did not notify the board of the fight/shooting. I feel there was a tone in his message that questioned the super's actions. A few management-minded people may be able to discern how frantic it probably was at the admin. office when the news broke about his unfortunate occurrence.

The eSTEM supporter, Mr. Berkley, would do well to show a little support for the LRSD, too.

Posted by: Commoner | February 27, 2008 10:13 AM

If you don't like the way the dictionary defines fortune, your argument is with Webster.

Fortunately for you, you're here in America where you can easily go grab a copy. If you were unfortunate enough to be a citizen of Rwanda or Iraq, for example, it would be tougher.

White Americans should fall on their knees before God every morning, thank Him for their good fortune, and ask forgiveness for assuming that being born 6" from home plate means they hit the home run.

Posted by: Hillary.Clinton.Will.Lose.To.McCain | February 27, 2008 10:34 AM

There is no logic in blaming the schools on this matter or in harping about the district. You could just have easily blamed the churches they attended, the neighborhoods they lived in, the work places they might have, the cars they might drive, or anything else that is superficially connected to their lives.
It is pathetic that some of the writers attempt to malign the LRSD for the actions of these young people. It didn't happen on campus; it didn't happen because of the schools or the district. To make such a connection as a basis for maligning LRSD is simply wrong. It is not logical or reasonable.
The ones to blame are the young hoodlums who pertetrated this stupid and vicious action. Period. First look at the homes where these miscreants were raised, then look at the community that allows such in its midst, then look at what anyone has done to help solve this problem.
Public schools are obligated by law to serve all students who attend. It is the most fundamental American privilege, the right to an education to the best of one's abilities. The sad truth is that many students come from homes which do poor jobs in preparing their children for this task. Parenting is a skill that is sorely lacking in many homes and this lack of direction and guidance does no service to the schools or to society.
The primary force in a child's educational life is not the school; it is the home. Research shows this consistently.
Well, I'd better get off my soap box. It just needs to be said that blaming Hussman, eStem, LRSD, etc. for the actions of these young thugs is not right. Making inflammatory remarks under such a guise is showing poor judgment and ignorance.

Posted by: Jake da Snake | February 27, 2008 10:38 AM

If I were you, I wouldn't consider home schooling since you have poor grammar/writing skills and don't know how to spell. From your 9:15 post:

Example of a sentence fragment: "In that since it is a shame that I picked Hall and Fair. "

Example of a misspelled word: "greatful" Your appreciation may be great, but you express gratitude by being grateful.

Example of a pompous asshole who thinks they are educated: "mudturtle"

Thank you and have a blessed day!!

Posted by: slydog | February 27, 2008 10:45 AM

Hillary.Clinton.Will.Lose.To.McCain said "Fortunately for you, you're here in America where you can easily go grab a copy. If you were unfortunate enough to be a citizen of Rwanda or Iraq, for example, it would be tougher."

...and If a frog had wings, he wouldn't bump his ass when he hops.

My comment regarding flying frogs along with yours have nothing to do with ill mannered thugs doing stupid things in Little Rock.

Posted by: beefmon | February 27, 2008 10:45 AM

God had as much to do with making this country great as Santa Claus.

Posted by: Doc | February 27, 2008 10:45 AM

Don't forget the Easter Bunny

Posted by: beefmon | February 27, 2008 10:48 AM

Make that who thinks HE is educated.

Posted by: slydog | February 27, 2008 10:49 AM

Ahh...for the good ole days...when pregnancy, not an incurable STD nor shootings, was our big worry. I don't have a clue how to stop these seemingly regular shootings/killings, but it's definitely not a black thing 'cause most of these teen shootings rampages are by white, non-poor students...aren't they?

For the record (and unless things have changed since I slept): White folks, specifically women/children, make up the bulk of our so-called poor...and it's mostly children.

Posted by: zelda | February 27, 2008 10:49 AM

Fair warning . . . waaaay off the subject, but to the contributor who touted apple juice instead of a can of Coke for the toddler's breakfast, look at the ingredient labels for both the next time you have a chance: sugar, sugar, sugar. How about an apple and maybe a glass of milk for the little mutt when you're in that big a hurry?
By the time she's big enough for school, she might be ready to learn -- maybe even learn that if you have to fight for a boy, he ain't worth it. I never could understand that attitude and I saw enough of it back in the dark ages when some ditzy gal would try to beat up her rival while the tomcat sat back and enjoyed the entertainment, or even checked out another prospect.
From my perspective farther How the hell does anyone manage to blame the schools when all this took place off school grounds? Because it involved school kids at a time when school was still in session so it's the school's fault?
I'd say a few parents need to kick butt instead of trying to blame everyone else.

Posted by: Doigotta | February 27, 2008 10:58 AM

You want to see Racist and Bigots, just attend one LRSD Board meeting. I was appalled. Mitchell and gang are nothing but puppets for John Walker. They have squandered Millions of hard working taxpayer's money on buyouts based on unsubstantiated claims, settlements to folks that were fired for good cause, and payments to one of the most racist lawyers in the country.

Posted by: Billary | February 27, 2008 11:01 AM

Crud, try to edit something and make it worse. Guess I'd better quit knocking newpaper editors.

Posted by: Doigotta | February 27, 2008 11:04 AM

Jake,

I'd be right there with you in not blaming the schools and talking about churches, neighborhoods, etc except.

1) Happened during school hours on a school day.
2) The LRSD seems to feel there is some kind of school based connection. Otherwise I doubt the spokesperson would have sprung into action.
3)The news reports framed this as a hall -v- fair fight.
4) If this happened on a Sunday during church picnic hours and the groups represented PHUMC and Fellowship then I would have been critical of the church leadership.

Posted by: Stump | February 27, 2008 11:04 AM

nanc: "Cato, How do you know Darren is about to be a "Baby Daddy??"

Got it off sports rap site. They usually know way ahead of everyone else. Supposedly two at the same time, different mothers.

Posted by: Cato | February 27, 2008 11:11 AM

Anyone know the truancy policy at the LRSD?

Posted by: Stump | February 27, 2008 11:14 AM

To answer nanc's question about McFadden:

This Yahoo.com story came out on the 25th...

"Over the weekend, McFadden said that he has two children on the way, one in July and another in August. None of those issues are overwhelming and McFadden already has a lawyer to handle the paternity matters."

...Nice.

Posted by: Razorback | February 27, 2008 11:19 AM

I don't blame the schools for this but it will be interesting to see how it is handled. Every LRSD kid involved should be disciplined seriously. Why weren't they in school during school hours? These are the future criminals of LR beating each other up with brass knuckles, baseball bats and guns. The parent that showed up with a gun needs to be charged. As does the parent of the 5th grader who took a gun to school. Is this really how we teach our kids to deal with their problems?!!
My question is did Linda Watson ever contact the board? Berkley's email at 9:19 PM makes it sound like he had not heard from her. At that point, things had calmed down and she should have touched base with all board members. It's called communication.

Posted by: tiredofbs | February 27, 2008 11:25 AM

Jake said:
"It is pathetic that some of the writers attempt to malign the LRSD for the actions of these young people. It didn't happen on campus; it didn't happen because of the schools or the district. To make such a connection as a basis for maligning LRSD is simply wrong. It is not logical or reasonable."
------------

I agree 100%. Blaming the schools because that's where the kids come from is like blaming UA and UT for a bar fight between fans of those schools on DIckson street after a big game. I haven't seen any evidence the schools gave the kids their blessing to skip on "Senior Skip Day." Do we expect the faculty to stop teaching and be deputized as Truant Officers? I know for a fact that Hall High discourages senior skip day, and warns kids its attendance policy will be fully applied.

There is lots of blame to go around for complex social problems; why heap it on the schools? I'd send my kid to Hall -- and in fact, I *do.* I wouldn't let her within a mile of E-STEM, and have never considered fleeing for the outlands. She knows her parents would be livid if she skipped school to hang out in Boyle Park. By the way, we are far from rich, and we're African Americans, but I'd like to believe our kind is not being thinned out by evolutionary forces.

Instead of blaming Hall High and the LRSD for the social phenomenon of kids who proudly proclaim themselves "thugs" and "ganstas" and "Gs" (for ganster), I want to laud that school and its staff for its part in helping my 11th grader collect a drawer full of letters from colleges from Texas to Columbia. The parents play a major role, but the schools make an indispensible contribution as well.

LRSD is right to be concerned about every student -- including those involved in violent and criminal incidents. But that concern is hardly a license for the public to lay the blame at the feet of the district.

Posted by: TAP | February 27, 2008 11:33 AM

Tap,

When I read the emails between the board members I thought they lacked any outrage regarding a skip day. the tone made me think of a tacit endorsement.

Posted by: Stump | February 27, 2008 11:37 AM

NEWSFLASH -

Check with any Hall High teacher that teaches a senior level class and they will tell you that 99% of the seniors were in class yesterday. The students involved in the brawl were just using "Senior Skip Day" as an excuse to be truant. As I asked earlier, who has a senior skip day in February on an overcast day with highs in the mid-40s???? NOBODY, that's who.

Thank you, as always, TAP, for your support of Hall High.

Posted by: slydog | February 27, 2008 11:44 AM

Sly

"Example of a sentence fragment: "In that since it is a shame that I picked Hall and Fair. ""

Actually I think that is a complete sentence with a mizspelt word; Perhaps in addition a missing Comma as well.

Proud Graduate of Hall High

Posted by: mudturtle | February 27, 2008 11:54 AM

Slydog,

A duly elected member of the school board seemed to think it was "senior skip day." Does our school board really have a policy to not be outraged by institutionalized truancy?

Here is the e-mail:
"From the interviews last evening, this was senior skip day and none of these students had attended school that day. The communications officer tried to keep you up to date on information as she received it regarding the incidents. This was an incident that happened outside the LRSD and allowed us limited jurisdiction. This is clearly a matter for the LRPD and the courts."

In an earlier e-mail even capitalized the day as if it were a proper name of a holiday.
"This incident did not happen on LRSD property and the people involved were not under LRSD supervision because it was Senior Skip Day (according to those interviewed)."

Posted by: Stump | February 27, 2008 12:03 PM

Stump reasoned:

My reply:

1. Didn't happen at school.
2. During school hours, if a student is "supposed" to be at school, then the school is technically held accountable for actions taken by the student (this applies whether student is at school or playing hooky). So says the law. School is simply following rules & regs.
3. News sources by habit identify children this way in most cases. It likewise doesn't implicate the schools.
4. Key word is "represented." In no way were the young thugs involved "representing" those schools.

Despite your civil tone, unfortunately your arguments don't hold water.

All this is similar to a group of people talking about an auto accident: someone blames the make of car or someone ponders which insurance company is best or worst or someone thinks a pothole a few streets back might have something to do with it or someone thinks the Tourism Bureau ought to warn everyone coming to the city about the frequency of such accidents ot someone suggests that we all ought to do our driving in another county where they think the roads are much better.

Or, we just blame Bush or Clinton because one car has a GWB sticker and the other has a Go Hillary sign. Makes just about as much sense as it does in blaming Hall, Fair, LRSD, Hussman, John Walker, gang of four, e-Stem, or anything else that bugs one about education. This is not about education or school systems. It's about stupid kids doing stupid stuff.

We should be more concerned about why this happened in Boyle Park of all places or whether it is a common occurence or whether plans are being made to stop such nonsense from happening again. And, to return to my primary point, when are we going to address the bigger issues of homes and parenting that remain the root cause of these problems?

Posted by: Jake da Snake | February 27, 2008 12:27 PM

P.S>

Senior Skip Day was always mentioned near the last days of school when I taught. I think someone just made up this as an excuse. It doesn't hold with history or so-called "tradition."

Posted by: Jake da Snake | February 27, 2008 12:29 PM

Jake maybe t"Skip Day" has changed with the time.

It used to be just one fine Spring day near the end of the year.

Perhaps now it is just "Tuesdays"

Posted by: mudturtle | February 27, 2008 12:33 PM