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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 SCHOOLDISTRICT FOR THE CITY OF MAUMELLE, ARKANSAS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, the City of Maumelle has seen great advancements in educational opportunitieswithin the City in the last fifteen years including the creation of a charter school, the building of a middleschool and, most recently, the construction of a new high school. However, the current of Pulaski CountySpecial 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 supportexpanded 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 qualityschool system within each community that is attractive to prospective residents; and

WHEREAS, Evidence indicates that a number of students and families are travelling outside ofthe 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 spendinghabits of these families while outside of the City. It is believed that many such students and families mayreturn to a school district with more local and direct control; and

WHEREAS, A locally controlled school district could have a more focused effort to influenceand deal positively with discipline issues, teacher salaries, and the disappointing academic performance ofthe schools existing in the proposed district; and

WHEREAS, Our community is affected by the lack of local representation of the school systemcurrently available to students and parents within the City of Maumelle; and,

WHEREAS, due to a takeover by the Arkansas Department of Education, the existing PulaskiCounty Special School District has operated without a School Board since 2011, leaving all options opento the State of Arkansas while in control of the district. A detachment now would be appropriately timedbecause of the current state of the district; and

WHEREAS, The creation of an Independent School District for Maumelle can be achieved withminor 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 OFMAUMELLE, THAT:

SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Maumelle, expresses it support for the creation ofan Independent School District for the City of Maumelle. It is the City Councils belief and position thatan Independent School District is vital to the opportunity for an improved education for our communitysyouth 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 extentof 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, MayorATTEST:

Joshua Clausen, City Clerk

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

JaNan Arnold Davis, City Attorney

SPONSOR: Alderman Preston Lewis