October 24, 2013, 5:30 pm 

Good evening.

Members of the Board and Dr. Suggs, my name is Gary Newton, a parent of two students who benefitted from seven years in three Little Rock School District schools and now three months in eStem Public Charter Middle School.

On behalf the 306 citizens who signed petitions, the 222 who joined our Action Group, and the 18 civic, business and parent leaders who submitted Letters of Support, I come before you tonight seeking your support for the parent-initiated, open enrollment, public charter application of Quest Middle School of West Little Rock. If approved, in the coming school year, this school will provide excellent secondary education where none exists, without regard to attendance zones or school district boundaries.

If you can’t support the application, we respectfully ask that you not oppose it.

Acting on the law afforded all citizens by the State Legislature and Governor, our efforts to create this school were inspired by the initiation of Premier High School of Little Rock on the campus of Arkansas Baptist College and Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy in Bentonville. Our work began in earnest in November of 2012. Even though our efforts have been public since that time, I recognize that you may have questions regarding our support, which have not been answered.

With that in mind, I would ask that we use the remainder of my allotted time to address any of your concerns or answer any of your questions. It’s now my understanding that you’re not allowed to do that. But I would ask you, if you do have questions in the process and during your deliberation, that you reach out to those in the audience who may be able to provide answers.

Three of the five parents who were most involved in the historic selection of Dr. Suggs as our new superintendent are also leaders of our charter effort. To us, and the vast majority of our parents, public education is not either/or; it’s all.

We also know that the success or failure of our entire community is contingent upon the success or failure of our school district. That is why we have and will continue to strongly support your leadership in putting children first. All we ask is the same consideration.

Parents should have the right to send their child to any school they deem best for their child. As we continue to support your work to become “the best choice,” please don’t fight our efforts to become an “immediate choice.”

Thank you for your time and service.