News Release: Arkansas Department of Education
Thursday, September 8, 2005
In an effort to stabilize fiscal and administrative operations of the Helena-West Helena School District, Arkansas Education Commissioner Ken James today used the authority granted to him by the Omnibus Act of 2003 to remove interim Superintendent T.J. Graham and replace her with Rudolph Howard of Little Rock, formerly principal of Little Rock Central High School.
"This is the first time the state has had to make such a move since the passage of Omnibus," Dr. James said. "It is not a move we have made lightly. Indeed, we have worked with officials of the Helena-West Helena School District since the district was placed in fiscal distress in April of this year."
Dr. James pointed to the school district's submission of three inadequate plans to remove itself from fiscal distress as the main reason for the state's move today. In addition, the state lost confidence in the school district's ability to solve its problems due to the instability of the school district's leadership-four superintendents or interim superintendents have led the Helena-West Helena School District within the last year-and to continual struggles among school board members and among school board members and administrators.
"Our foremost concern is the education of the students in this community," Dr. James continued. Today's action is necessary to ensure that educators here can operate in a positive and stable environment and that the students have the best chance possible to learn and to succeed."
In addition to the removal of the interim superintendent, the Arkansas Department of Education also temporarily removed the entire Helena-West Helena School District Board of Directors. This action again was taken under the auspices of the Omnibus Act.
Howard will lead the district as its superintendent beginning today. He will report directly to Dr. James.
"I have every confidence in the leardership of Rudolph Howard and believe that the educators, students and families of the Helena-West Helena District will be pleased with the results he produces," Dr. James said.
Howard has woked as an educational consultant since 2002. Before that, he was principal of Little Rock Central High School for nine years and worked in the Little Rock School District for a total of 19 years.
He has also worked in the Chicago Public Schools and the Cotton Plant Public Schools. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and a master's degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago.
Howard will serve the district and report to the commissioner for as long as needed, Dr. James said.
Donald Watkins of Conway will serve with Howard as assistant superintendent for financial services. Watkins is retired after 33 years in public education. Most recently he served as assistant superintendent for business services with the North Little Rock School District for 15 years, retiring in June 2005.
On September 20, 2005, a new slate of Helena-West Helena School Board members will be elected. At that time, ADE will determine the roll of the new board.
Officials with ADE arrived in Helena this morning to inform Dr. Graham and Raymond Simes, president of the school board, of the changes in district leadership. Steps have been taken to secure school records and to ensure that district operations, such as payroll, will continue uninterrrupted.
On April 11, 2005, the Arkansas State School Board placed the Helena-West Helena School District in the category of fiscal distress. The reasons for this designation included a projected negative balance within two school years and unfavorable audit findings.
Ten other Arkansas school districts are also in fiscal distress. One of these ten, however, Parkin School District, will be annexed to the Wynne School District by September 19, 2005, per a State Board of Eduction vote yesterday.
Once designated as a district in fiscal distress, Helena-West Helena was to submit a plan detailing how it would avoid the negative balance and correct the fiscal procedures noted in its last three audit reports including a lack of inventory of property since 2003, unreconciled bank statements and insufficient accounting procedures. The Department also is concerned about major expenses apparently contracted without a bid procedure, a lack of job descriptions for top administrators and the lack of formal personnel policies and a purchasing system.
ADE rejected the district's first plan as well as revisions made to it on July 8. ADE has twice sent teams to the Helena-West Helena District, the first on July 22 to conduct an on-site financial analysis of the district. On August 10, Dr. James and other senior ADE staff met with the school board and district officials to emphasize the importance of submitting an acceptable plan that provided details and timelines for setting fiscal matters straight. A team of five ADE personnel remained in the district for three days to assist with questions and issues related to budget matters and with APSCN, the state's computer system for school records. While the district met an August 24, 2005 deadline for turning in a revised plan, again it was rejected by the Commissioner. In a letter dated September 1, Dr. James informed Dr. Graham that every component of the school district's revised plan was "inadequate and unacceptable."
This brings us to the actions that occurred today.
"We have every reason to believe in the potential of this school district," Dr. James said. "We have heard from committed educators and concerned, caring parents in this community. Under Mr. Howard's leadership, we look forward to a new spirit and a new day in the Helena-West Helena School District."
