A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MAUMELLE,

PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS

A RESOLUTION TO BE ENTITLED:
RESOLUTION NO. 2013 - 07
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE CREATION OF AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
DISTRICT FOR THE CITY OF MAUMELLE, ARKANSAS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, the City of Maumelle has seen great advancements in educational opportunities
within the City in the last fifteen years including the creation of a charter school, the building of a middle
school and, most recently, the construction of a new high school. However, the current of Pulaski County
Special School District has some schools in Maumelle in a disadvantaged position; and,
WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Maumelle has supported and continues to support
expanded and enhanced opportunities for education for all citizens and children of Maumelle; and,
WHEREAS, The City of Maumelle values each childs right to a quality education at a quality
school system within each community that is attractive to prospective residents; and
WHEREAS, Evidence indicates that a number of students and families are travelling outside of
the City of Maumelle to seek educational opportunities from private schools or other school districts,
leading to increased traffic congestion on Maumelle Boulevard at peak times and influencing spending
habits of these families while outside of the City. It is believed that many such students and families may
return to a school district with more local and direct control; and
WHEREAS, A locally controlled school district could have a more focused effort to influence
and deal positively with discipline issues, teacher salaries, and the disappointing academic performance of
the schools existing in the proposed district; and
WHEREAS, Our community is affected by the lack of local representation of the school system
currently available to students and parents within the City of Maumelle; and,
WHEREAS, due to a takeover by the Arkansas Department of Education, the existing Pulaski
County Special School District has operated without a School Board since 2011, leaving all options open
to the State of Arkansas while in control of the district. A detachment now would be appropriately timed
because of the current state of the district; and
WHEREAS, The creation of an Independent School District for Maumelle can be achieved with
minor disruption to students and faculty and with no additional local or state costs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MAUMELLE, THAT:
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Maumelle, expresses it support for the creation of
an Independent School District for the City of Maumelle. It is the City Councils belief and position that
an Independent School District is vital to the opportunity for an improved education for our communitys
youth and for the enhancement of our City.
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SECTION 2. Any and all other resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent
of such conflict. This Resolution shall be in effect from and after its date of passage.
IT IS SO ORDERED AND APPROVED this _____ day of ____________, 2013.

B. Michael Watson, Mayor

ATTEST:

Joshua Clausen, City Clerk

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

JaNan Arnold Davis, City Attorney

SPONSOR: Alderman Preston Lewis