Little Rock teacher contract discussion extended

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – The commissioner for the Arkansas Department of Education says the state and teachers’ union have agreed to a two-week extension to the negotiation deadline.

Commissioner Johnny Key said Monday evening that following a meeting between union and school district representatives, he authorized Little Rock Superintendent Michael Poore to agree to extend the original deadline of Wednesday.

Little Rock School District has been controlled by the state since 2015, when the state Board of Education voted to take over the district because of low test scores.

The union and the district disagree over a proposed amendment to the teachers’ contract, which would allow the state greater flexibility to fire teachers in poorly rated schools. The two sides met Monday for the first time since Key proposed the amendment.

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