Lynch at Large

The Benton Courier has an outstanding report which gives some background on efforts to keep the Paron high school open. Keeping Paron open could result in Bryant schools being kept on probation for a third straight year.

The Bryant School District has been placed on probation for the past two years because Paron was unable to provide enough classes to meet the 38-course curriculum required by the state. Classes such as chemistry and certain algebra and geometry classes are currently not being taught at Paron.

...

(Superintendent, Dr. Richard) Abernathy said the district's problems would be compounded because the Paron teachers have already been assigned and students have already been given choices to attend Bryant or a number of other school districts. Abernathy said a few have exercised that right to choice.

And here's a shot across the bow.

(Board member Jim) Davis said board members have spoken with many residents of Paron on a number of occasions, and he believes many of the residents understood the problems encountered by the Bryant district. But Davis said a small group - led by one person he declined to name - has been keeping the conflict alive.

Little Rock businessman Ron Crawford, whose grandchild attends Paron High School, is named as a plaintiff in the suit. Crawford has been a spokesman for the Rural Education Preservation Alliance, formerly known as the Paron Education Preservation Alliance.