Pulaski County school district’s board takes first step toward possible Sherwood detachment

The Pulaski County Special School District’s board unanimously approved two resolutions at its May 22 meeting, signaling support for Sherwood’s potential detachment from the district. The board directed Superintendent Jeff Senn to collaborate with the Sherwood Public Education Foundation, which is leading the effort to form a new district, and to ensure all major decisions are reviewed by the board. The district also hired consultant Jerrod Williams, a former superintendent and assistant professor at Harding University, to evaluate the financial feasibility of detachment at a rate of $125 per hour. Sherwood’s proposed new district would include Sylvan Hills High School and its feeder schools: Cato, Clinton, Oakbrooke, Sherwood, and Sylvan Hills elementary schools, as well as Sylvan Hills Middle and Junior High Schools. The foundation has initiated a feasibility study, though the Pulaski County district must also confirm its own financial stability post-detachment. Board President Stephen Delaney emphasized that the resolutions were not a vote in favor of detachment but a step to gather guidance and expert analysis, as the district lacks veto power over the process. Delaney referenced the 2016 creation of the Jacksonville-North Pulaski School District, which detached from Pulaski County during a federal desegregation lawsuit. The lawsuit was resolved in February 2026, clearing the way for Sherwood’s effort. Delaney noted that the foundation’s study only needs to prove feasibility for their district, while Pulaski County must independently assess its own operational risks. Zone 4 Representative Karyn Maynard highlighted Sherwood’s status as Arkansas’ largest city without its own school district. The board stressed the need for transparency and preparation, with Delaney stating, ‘I want you all to have the best information possible because it is a complicated subject.’ Williams’ role includes advising on financial impacts, with Delaney confirming the district’s preliminary belief that detachment poses no immediate threat to its operations. The next steps involve further consultations and presentations to the board as the process unfolds.