Overview
- The Little Rock School Board voted Thursday to close McDermott, Western Hills and Mabelvale elementary schools after the 2026–27 year.
- District leaders said the LRSD Forward plan still fell about $4 million to $7 million short of needed cuts and estimated the three closures will save about $4.68 million to $5.26 million a year.
- The board approved detailed student reassignments and program moves that include transferring Western Hills’ autism program to Williams and rezoning McDermott and Mabelvale students to nearby schools.
- Credit rating agency Moody’s downgraded the district to Baa1 with a negative outlook and officials reported the operating fund balance fell from $30.8 million in 2022–23 to about $11 million in 2025–26 while LRSD carries roughly $556 million in debt.
- The vote was contentious, with two directors opposing the plan and community members warning the closures could prompt more families to leave the district, so leaders say they will track retention, student outcomes and other impacts closely.