Three years ago Governor Hutchinson directed the Arkansas State Board of Education, led by newly appointed director Johnny Key, to vote on a state takeover of the Little Rock School District. The decision narrowly passed, leading to the near-immediate removal of the district superintendent and appointment of Key's own selection. 

Key, a large proponent of charter schools and private education, has overseen a large decline in the district schools while charter schools have grown to unprecedented levels in the city.

The future of Little Rock depends on all students to receive a quality education, regardless of class and luck to land in a lottery selection to a charter school using experimental teaching methods. 

There is no bigger issue than the education of our children in Little Rock. They represent the future of the city. It is important that locally elected officials who have a vested interest in the area and are held accountable for the status of the school be put in a position of control over the district. Not appointed, out of town officials.

Governor Hutchinson, I urge you to advise the State Board of Education to revisit and revote on restoring local control to the Little Rock School District.