- Little Rock School District
- District Contingency Plan FAQ
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Messages from Superintendent Michael Poore
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Where do LRSD and LREA stand?
The Arkansas Board of Education voted to no longer recognize the LREA when the current contract expires on October 31. However, on September 20, 2019, the Board directed Little Rock School District to create a Personnel and Policy Committee (PPC) pursuant to ACT 728 of 2019. The PPC election will be scheduled soon. Teachers will be able to nominate or be nominated as PPC candidates as well as directly vote for the PPC candidates of their choice. Once established, the PPC will meet to discuss personnel policies and may discuss other important topics, such as compensation, benefits, and work calendar.
If LREA members vote to do a “sick-out” or strike, we will share that information with parents and staff as soon as we receive it, via automated call/email, posts on our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter) and through our local media.
Will all participate in a strike or sick-out?
We don’t know. However, employees participating in any job action are subject to the same policies regarding leave as outlined in the Professional Negotiated Agreement (PNA) and the employee handbook.
Why are you keeping schools open?
Maintaining a safe, consistent, structured learning environment is what’s best for students.
Who will be responsible for students in the classroom?
Plans are to hire substitute employees, who have undergone appropriate, state-mandated background checks
Will schools receive additional support?
Yes. Central office personnel will assist schools based on feedback from our building leaders. Administrators will be in constant contact with our building leaders to provide support wherever needed. Other certified staff not currently assigned to a school will also provide support.
May I volunteer?
Anyone volunteering at any LRSD school must be vetted by the Volunteers in Public Schools (ViPS) office, prior to placement. ViPS’ policy and procedural guidelines must be followed when utilizing volunteers in LRSD schools.
National and FBI screenings are not conducted through ViPS. Volunteers should not be placed in any assignment that requires Federal Bureau of Investigation and/or national background checks on the individual. Volunteers vetted through ViPS do not meet the Arkansas Department of Education rules governing background checks for those individuals serving as substitute teachers.
What are the background check requirements for volunteers?
LRSD policy requires individuals wishing to serve as general volunteers to complete the Arkansas Criminal and Central Registry background checks prior to any volunteer placement.
Anyone volunteering at any LRSD school must be pre-approved by the Volunteers in Public Schools (ViPS) office, prior to going to the site. ViPS’ policy and procedural guidelines must be followed.
(Additional FAQs for Background Checks and Policy are posted separately below.)
Will meal services be provided?
Yes, plans are in place to provide breakfast and lunch for students.
Will transportation be provided to school/extracurricular events?
Yes, we plan to provide transportation, but routes may be impacted or delayed.
(Transportation phone number for rides to/from school – 447-4165)
Will my child’s IEP (Individualized Education Plan) be met?
Services will be provided by paraprofessionals and other certified, trained staff. Students with special needs will be a priority.
(Special Programs contact number 501-447-1046)
What If I keep my child at home?
We plan on having school. It is not recommended that you keep students home. Regular attendance policies, according to the Student Handbook will be applied.
LRSD Switchboard -501-447-1000
FAQs for Volunteers
May I volunteer?
Anyone volunteering at any LRSD school must be vetted by the Volunteers in Public Schools (ViPS) office, prior to placement. ViPS’ policy and procedural guidelines must be followed when utilizing volunteers in LRSD schools.
National and FBI screenings are not conducted through ViPS. Volunteers should not be placed in any assignment that requires Federal Bureau of Investigation and/or national background checks on the individual. Volunteers vetted through ViPS do not meet the Arkansas Department of Education rules governing background checks for those individuals serving as substitute teachers.
What are the background check requirements for volunteers?
LRSD policy requires individuals wishing to serve as general volunteers to complete the Arkansas Criminal and Central Registry background checks prior to any volunteer placement.
Background Checks for Volunteers
A person wishing to volunteer may not perform volunteer services requiring a ViPS background check until a clear background check is received by the District.
For the purposes of this policy, “clear background check” for a volunteer* means that:
A background check was performed on the potential school volunteer in accordance
with A.C.A. §§ 12-12-1601 et seq.;The potential school volunteer has not committed any of the crimes or offenses contained in
A.C.A. §§ 6-17-410, 6-17-411 or 6-17-414 according to the Arkansas Criminal background check; and
the potential school volunteer’s name was not found on the Child Abuse Central Registry.
* National and FBI screenings are not conducted through ViPS. Volunteers should not be placed in any assignment that requires Federal Bureau of Investigation and national background checks. ViPS vetted volunteers have not met the requirements of those required for substitute teachers.
Volunteers needing background checks may go to the Arkansas State Police, but please check with your local school district.
FAQs for Substitute Employees
What are the background check requirements for a substitute teacher?
The Arkansas Department of Education Rules Governing Background Checks establishes the background requirements for substitute teachers and requires the following:
* Statewide criminal records check conducted by the Arkansas State Police
* Nationwide criminal records check conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
* Child maltreatment registry check conducted by the Department of Human Services
Note: School districts may offer provisional employment to substitutes pending the receipt of the results of the statewide, nationwide or Child Maltreatment Central Registry checks. As long as the background checks have been initiated, substitutes are allowed in the classroom.
THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION CANNOT PROCESS BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR VOLUNTEERS PURSUANT TO STATE LAW.
For more information on substitute opportunities, visit:
http://pcmiservices.com/pcmi/homepage.aspx
or call 1-800-319-4278.