Little Rock board approves three closures after 2026-27

The Little Rock School District board voted 4-2 on Oct. 15, 2026, to approve LRSD Forward Option 7, which calls for Western Hills, Mabelvale and McDermott elementary schools to close at the end of the 2026-27 school year. Superintendent Jermall Wright confirmed the timing in a statement the following day.

The decision also changes attendance zones for the closing schools and other elementary schools. The board selected Option 7D to determine the remaining split of McDermott’s zone.

How the attendance zones change

Under the adopted plan, Western Hills’ zone becomes part of an expanded Bale Elementary zone. The southern portion of McDermott’s zone, south of Interstate 630, also goes to Bale. The rest of McDermott’s zone is divided under Option 7D.

Mabelvale’s zone is divided among Otter Creek, Chicot and Watson elementary schools. The changes therefore reach beyond the three schools slated to close, affecting attendance areas associated with the receiving schools as well.

Wright said the district will provide information and support as it works through enrollment options, transportation and school assignments with affected families. The district’s statement acknowledged that questions about enrollment, transportation and daily routines remain.

Earlier savings estimate and district target

A World Online report published Oct. 10, before the board vote, said the administration’s preferred plan involving the same three schools was expected to save $4.7 million to $5.3 million annually. That was an estimate for the preferred pre-vote plan; it is not a confirmed savings forecast for the adopted Option 7.

In his Oct. 16 statement, Wright said the district needs about $5 million to $6 million in recurring operating-expense reductions for the 2027-28 school year. He also cited 30% to 40% lower operating costs as a general benchmark from the district’s experience with closures or consolidations. That percentage is not a dollar estimate for these three schools. The statement did not give a combined savings figure for the adopted closures.

The figures describe different things: the Oct. 10 estimate concerned an earlier preferred plan, the $5 million to $6 million figure is the district’s reduction target for 2027-28, and the percentage is a general benchmark. They do not establish that the adopted closures will meet that target.

Board members expressed differing views. KARK reported that Osyrus Bolly spoke against closing schools, while Greg Adams described closures as necessary for the district’s sustainability. Watson Elementary librarian Latoya Phillips questioned whether the district had fully considered other options. World Online also reported public concerns about school transitions, families potentially leaving the district, effects in the Markham and Reservoir areas, and the loss of momentum at Mabelvale.