LITTLE ROCK — To save, district looks at LPNs
Pulaski County Special School District leaders are exploring the possibility of filling some of the district’s 21 nursing jobs with licensed practical nurses, who are more limited in the services they can provide and, as a result, not as costly as registered nurses.
Paul Brewer, the district’s executive director of human resources, said last week that talks about the changes in the school-nursing program are preliminary and no decisions have been made.
The possibility of altering the nursing program is being raised in a district that is classified by the state Board of Education as “fiscally distressed” because of past financial mismanagement and overspending. The district is now operating under state control, with a state-appointed superintendent and no locally elected school board.
In 2011, the district cut the registered nursing jobs from 36 - an average of one per campus - to 21 this school year as part of an effort to reduce expenses.
Brewer said the district is trying to save as much as $100,000 more in the nursing program.
One option under review is assigning one LPN to each high school to work with the older, more self-sufficient students. Registered nurses might continue to work with the elementary school pupils and students who are otherwise considered medically fragile.
Brewer said any staffing decisions would have to be finalized by mid-spring.
District leaders are looking for savings in other personnel groups, as well, including among special-education teachers, Brewer said.
Central band aims for D.C.-gig funds
Little Rock Central High’s 103-member marching band, which is to perform at the 57th Inaugural Parade on Jan.21 in Washington, D.C., is now in fund-raising mode.
The band seeks sponsors and donations to offset the estimated travel and hotel cost of more than $100,000, or $1,000 per student.
The Central band, under the direction of Brice Evans, is among 84 groups with a combined total of nearly 15,000 participants selected to perform.
The band was selected partly on the basis of video and audio recordings, as well as recommendations from Gov. Mike Beebe and Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark.
More information on the fundraising effort is available by contacting Evans at his district telephone number, (501) 447-1478, or from his district e-mail address, brice. [email protected].
Session to explain
Montessori ways
Arkansas River Valley Montessori School of Little Rock, which is celebrating its 10th year of serving children ages 3 through 15, is hosting a presentation on How Children Succeed - Preparing the Next Generation of Innovators at 6 p.m. Jan. 17.
The event will be held at the Darragh Center Auditorium in the Central Arkansas Library System’s main branch, 200 Rock St. in the River Market District of Little Rock.
The session will examine how the fundamental principles of a Montessori education may uniquely prepare children for success in the 21st century. Child care will be offered in a nearby room.
Arkansas River Valley Montessori is also hosting two open houses at its Little Rock campus at 1509 N. Pierce St. next month, one from 2:30 -4 p.m. on Jan. 13 and another from 9-10:30 a.m. Jan. 17.
More information and registration for the open houses is available from Kendall Jacobs at (501) 603-0620.
Arkansas, Pages 22 on 12/23/2012