‘His work was good,’ Former LRSD superintendent Mike Poore gives thoughts on resignation of Dr. Jermall Wright

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Former Little Rock School District superintendent Mike Poore shared his thoughts following news of Jermall Wright’s resignation.

Poore said it came as a surprise when he learned current superintendent Wright had resigned after two years.

“I hate that we’re having to go through this transition at this time,” Poore said.

Poore was superintendent for six years at LRSD, starting in 2016. Poore accomplished getting the LRSD out of state control and praised Wright’s many accomplishments.

“His work was good,” Poore said. “The board and him had accomplished a lot.”

In May of 2022, after announcing the hire of Wright, LRSD school board member Greg Adams said the district is the second largest and most complex in the state.

Poore agrees that LRSD is a unique district because it’s in the capital of Arkansas and draws a different level of attention “whether there’s good things going on or something more challenging.”

One of the challenges Poore said he was faced with, that’s still an issue for LRSD, is the battle of enrollment.

“With the LEARNS Act, it is a much more competitive situation,” Poore said. “Obviously, you’ve always had charters, that’s been a part of the equation in Little Rock, but they have added a few more since I left.”

The former superintendent said to compete, LRSD has “got to have a great educational delivery that starts with being able to get kids to read. I know that was the focus for Dr. Wright and it was for my team too.”

He added that it’s needed to have a strong career program for when kids transition to post-secondary, which is something he says LRSD “has done exceptionally well at.”

Poore also said during his time it was a challenge working with the board of directors but added “that’s not uncommon for any place in this country.”

He said LRSD’s nine board members versus seven or five like other districts made things a little more complex.

“There’s always sometimes a little tension as you try to move forward with people accepting change,” Poore said. “Certainly, we had some of that during my time and then Dr. Wright has gone through some of that.”

As the board is in the transition process, Poore isn’t ruling out a return.

“Everyone knows I love Little Rock and love Little Rock School District and would do anything to help the board or Dr. Wright,” Poore said.

Poore knows that finding the right replacement can take time but noted that can be a good sign.

“When you have something that’s this complex and this important, it shouldn’t be just like a snap decision, it should be something that’s really given a lot of thought,” he said.

On Monday, the Little Rock School District held a board meeting to discuss Dr. Wright’s resignation and transition plan for future leadership. No decision was made. Another meeting will take place on Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m.

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