consolidation
Lawmakers advance bills softening school district consolidation law
The Arkansas House of Representatives on Wednesday approved two bills that would allow some school districts to avoid forced consolidation. Both bills seek to amend the nearly 20-year-old Public Education Reorganization Act, which requires the Arkansas Department of Education to publish an annual consolidation list of all districts with fewer than 350 students. Senate Bill […]
New legislation prompts requests to delay Marvell-Elaine School District consolidation
Fileshia Powell said she’s been “fighting and praying” to keep the Marvell-Elaine School District open so her daughter, an honor roll student, can graduate from there next May. The rural Phillips County district is scheduled to be consolidated with another district this summer due to low enrollment, and Powell said the process has been tough […]
Market innovation a path to economic equity in farming, Vilsack tells ag conference
WASHINGTON – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urged the private sector and government officials to address inequity and promote innovation in what he called a “pivotal moment” in the nation’s history at an industry conference Thursday. In the opening session of the 99th USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum, Vilsack said new income streams and markets will […]
Merger of Sanderson Farms and Cargill is a bad deal for farmers and consumers
Why conspire with your competitors when you can just merge? Over the last two years, giant corporate meat companies have been settling lawsuits to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars that allege they conspired with each other to fix prices, lower workers’ and farmers’ pay and raise the price of meat for both […]