Hutchinson Signs School Consolidation Waiver Bill

Legislation signed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson Wednesday came too late for the now-defunct Weiner School District, but a parent from that community said the bill’s passage was a victory that could prevent future high-performing school districts from being consolidated.

House Bill 1263 by Rep. Bruce Cozart, R-Hot Springs, will allow the Department of Education to grant waivers to school districts that fall below the current 350-student minimum as long as they are not in academic, fiscal or facilities distress. Under current state law, those districts must be consolidated with other districts regardless of their performance.

“I think this provides a good balance between keeping high academic standards for our schools but at the same time helping those communities that really need their school and have strong support for their school,” Hutchinson said.

He emphasized that the bill would not affect schools that already have been consolidated. “This is forward-looking,” he said.

One of the pens used by Hutchinson to sign the bill was handed to Michelle Cadle, whose family lives in what was the Weiner School District.

The district scored high academically and was not in financial trouble, but it was forced nonetheless to consolidate with nearby Harrisburg in 2010 because it fell below the 350-student minimum. Cadle has advocated for the legislation.

“We always said it was never about Weiner,” she said. “It was about doing what was right for all schools across Arkansas, so this was a victory day for us.”

During a press conference following the signing, Hutchinson left open the possibility that a special session could be called to consider highway funding.

Hutchinson had said he would create a working group to consider highway funding in the midst of discussions with Rep. Dan Douglas, R-Bentonville, about a bill by Douglas that would have shifted some general revenues to highways. Hutchinson opposed the bill, and Douglas withdrew it.

In his press conference, Hutchinson said he would appoint the working group “probably within a week after the session concludes, so we’ll move very quickly on that. … Depending upon whether there is a consensus arrived from the working group, that will dictate as to whether any special session is needed down the road.”

Hutchinson expressed support for a bill by Cozart that would give the Department of Education the authority to create an achievement district for academically troubled schools. He said, “From a governor’s standpoint, this bill gives the state of Arkansas more tools in order to improve the achievement of nonperforming schools. That is a good thing. … I like the fact that this bill will give the state more authority, more capability, more tools in order to help turn around a nonperforming school.”

Hutchinson also announced that the 16 members of the Governor’s Council on Common Core Review will be announced later this week. About 700 applied. Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin will chair that task force.

Hutchinson said he expects later this week to sign an executive order creating an advisory council on Medicaid reform that will advise him on that issue. A legislative task force will spend the next two years studying Medicaid reform as part of a legislative package that extended the Medicaid private option to the end of 2016.

He said he would not sign a letter written by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and signed by Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., informing Iranian leaders that an agreement signed between them and President Obama would not constitute a treaty or be binding on the next president. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said he would sign the letter, but Hutchinson said he is focused on state business.

Hutchinson also shared comments on the Rep. Justin Harris adoption controversy and a new call for Harris’ resignation. Hutchinson said it would be “premature” to call on Harris to step down.

Talk Business & Politics reported on the Governor’s comments earlier today.