England School District Seeks End to Federal Oversight Amid Desegregation Efforts

Progress and Challenges in the England School District

More than five decades after being placed under federal desegregation orders, the England School District has taken steps to update its community on its ongoing efforts to achieve unitary status. This status would mean the district is no longer under court supervision, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward full integration.

The recent board meeting served as both a presentation and an opportunity for public input. District leaders shared details about their work under a long-standing consent decree, which originated from the case United States v. Cotton Plant School District #1, et al. The Justice Department has been involved in ending long-standing school desegregation orders, and others are expected to follow suit.

Superintendent Judy Hubbell, who is in her first year leading the district, highlighted the progress made in attaining unitary status. She emphasized the importance of hiring minority teachers, stating that it reflects the diversity of the student body. “I think we’ve made great progress,” she said. “I want minority teachers in our district because I think that it is a reflection of our student body.”

Hubbell recently released a public letter discussing the district’s desegregation history. She mentioned that the district believes it has fulfilled its obligations and is working with the U.S. Department of Justice to determine if it is ready to be released from federal oversight.

On August 29, the district submitted its latest compliance report to the federal court. The report detailed hiring practices, demographic data, and recruitment efforts for the 2024–25 school year. Currently, the district enrolls just over 600 students, with about half identifying as Black or Hispanic. Among its 56 certified staff members, 47 are white, seven are Black, and two are Hispanic. Of the four administrators, three are white and one is Black.

The report also included documentation of hiring efforts across all levels, from superintendent to teaching and coaching positions. As required by the consent decree, the district tracked race at every stage of the hiring process. They submitted standardized interview rubrics, scoring sheets, and job postings to demonstrate fairness. Recruitment materials showed outreach to historically Black colleges and universities, including the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Philander Smith College, and Shorter College.

Cody Kees, an attorney for the district, provided historical context during the meeting. He explained that the school district, like many in Arkansas, once operated a dual system of a Black school and a white school. In 1970, a court order mandated a unified school system, which the district has maintained since. However, there are still additional issues to address, such as ensuring fair faculty staffing and student discipline.

Kees emphasized that the district is now focused specifically on certified staffing, including teachers and administrators. “Our efforts here are just to close this chapter and ensure that we have the most unified staffing in our certified area as possible,” he said. He noted that the district will likely remain under supervision until at least the end of 2026. Then, they will present data showing their efforts to recruit and hire minority staff to the court, potentially in late 2026 or early 2027.

Not everyone at the meeting was satisfied with the district’s self-evaluation. Michael Nellums, who spoke during the public comment portion, expressed concerns about the district’s actions in pursuit of unitary status. “We don’t believe that the district has quite lived up to what they stated in terms of their actions,” he said.

Despite these challenges, the England School District continues to work toward its goal of achieving unitary status. The process involves not only addressing past inequalities but also ensuring that future hiring and staffing practices reflect the diversity of the community. With ongoing efforts and continued dialogue, the district aims to move forward and eventually end federal court supervision.