Central Arkansas (OT)

[RomanLA]

My company has an opening in Redfield, AR. Is there any place I would want to live (with kids) between Pine Bluff and Little Rock?

[Chuck Ainsworth]

If I were doing it, I would move to Sheridan.

[Kim Tucker]

Yes. I live in Sheridan -- about 20-25 min. from Redfield, good schools and 30 min from Rockport. Call for more info.

870 nine one 7 8237.

[turboturtle]

I would say the proximity of the job could allow you to live in Little rock if you wanted too. You would have a twenty minute commute. Two of the best schools in the state are here. Pulaski Heights, for grade and middle school, and Central High School. I don't say this becouse I went to these schools, But Laurie's Daughter went to these schools just a couple a few ago. The EAST lab program at both would be a feather in your kids caps well before graduation. Ashley was building websites for school system projects and departments. Teacher care and concern for the students is also second to none.
Moving into the schools districts is a no brainer. The Hillcrest and Stiff Station neighborhood is right at the doorsteps of the Oyster Bar. The ACC's meeting local for many a year. Ozark Outdoor Supply is also in the neighborhood.
If your really interested, I could get the schools boundary lines from the powers that be. The boundary lines skewer around through a few undesirable parts of town, But it's all a part of keeping diversity through all the schools.

One main reason I suggest Little Rock Living is being on the upwind side if anything ever went wrong at the Govs. chemical warehouse near Redfield . They are in the process of burning off all the Toxic chemicals and gasses, however, accidents do occur. Their were no real accidents in Jacksonville at the Vertac plant when they burned off all their toxic chemicles. And with advancements in this process, the safety issue is all but a mute point.
Another plus is being thirty-five to forty minutes from Rockyworld!

Bob Hoffman

[tomcat]

pick your poison.....Sheridan aka redneck capital of Arkansas but good schools and prolly less crime....or LR with all the urban problems you'll find in most larger cities. I live in LR's Hillcrest area and we've been experiencing more crime lately (breakins/theft and even murder). Yea, LR's schools do some good but you need to know going in that the district is about 80% minority...which has all the negatives you'd think you'd find. But, I can walk to about ten fine resturants from my house and I love the biking trail system we have...both road and mtn bikes. Good luck with your choice.

[JTarver]

Yup, what Tomcat said.
But. hillcrest area in little rock is a really good area..great bike trails, and when it rains and you're trapped in LR, you can do rock creek or Coleman creek. Plus, you are 45 minutes from Rockport, so you'll have water all summer.
Lots of upsides, you just have to weigh in on it.
Peace,
Joe

[Crane]

My three kids and a 15 year-old granddaughter have all attended LR public schools for the most part and had very good experiences! All three kids have been pretty darned successful in their respective career paths building on their LR educations. The fact that they went to school with people of all colors, races, faiths and income levels only made them better able to function in our society. Judging people on any criterion other than their character only makes a statement about the person doing the judging. Have no fear, with good parental involvement and parenting, your kids can get a very, very good an education here in LR public schools.

[turboturtle]

Oh yeah, Craines post reminded me that I forgot to add that PTA participation at these two schools is/was over 100% when Ashley was there. I'd be willing to bet it still is.

[tomcat]

yea crane....there are some tall people in China...but that doesn't mean it's common.

Yep...LRSD is known far and wide for it's success.....which totally explains the fast growth of private and charter schools in the area....and white flight to the surrounding school districts.

[johned]

Check out Sheridan. I lived there for 3 years and really liked the place.

[Shark Attack]

If you move to Sheridan your daughters will have to learn to dip Skoal.
(and your sons will learn to dip your daughters)

[tomcat]

well okay then.....great testimonials in favor of the LRSD. I'm sure that these are accurate and representative of the the majority of student experiences in the system.

And Little Rock is a great town with no crime problems.

:roll:

[RomanLA]

I'll probably look at Sheridan at least initially. Little Rock is close by and I could always move again later. Now I've just gotta decide if I'm going to apply for it. I'm a little nervous about trying to sell my house right now. Plus, I'm a single dad and I would be working shift work. It's going to be hard to find someone I'm willing to leave my kids with overnight. Thanks for all of the feedback!

[tomcat]

from what I've read....the success of Central is tied to their "advance placement classes" where there is still a majority of non-minority students. So, with segregation of bright students, to promote Central as proof that the school system that is 80% minority is a big success is less than truthful.

Also....to say that we should blame the students and parents is true....but from what I see from the LR School Board....there are some MAJOR problems right there. That school board is the most racist of any in the history of the LR school system and the direct cause of recent white flight.

[Graham]

You know just for a reference point I went to public schools in both Little Rock and North Little Rock public schools graduating in '93. While I did ok there are some negatives to consider.

I was exposed to some crazy things and there were many distractions many of them extremely violent. Things I would never want my kids to be exposed to at such young age if ever. While still able to make it fine I do think those things stifled my education. I had A LOT of friends that went to ASMS for high school and their track record and continuing education is amazing comparitivly speaking. While myself and others did fine coming from public school in LR/NLR you can clearly see the distinction in the two programs.

I do think the teaching and the programs in LR/NLR public schools are some of the best in the state but you just can't discount the atmosphere.