Little Rock Central High School - Pix Yearbook (Little Rock, AR)

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Girl ' Vic Principal Mr . Elizabeth Huckaby, who devote a large portion of her time to PTA work, how Mr . Jean Gordon, a member of little Rock Public School $y tem Board of Director , the oscar awarded to the homeroom with large t PTA memberjhip. Mr. R. H. Matson, Jr. and Mr. Jam.es M. Coates, Jr. survey the new con- sole for controlling sound in Central' auditorium. The console is ju t one of the many improvement made recently in the little Rock School System. Board—19 Mr. Delmar Hart, boys' vice principal, proudly displays Central's new electric switchboard for Warren K. Bass, secretary of the board of education. The addition of this $15,000 device, which controls stage and auditorium lighting, is exemplary of Central's progressive spirit.

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Zealous School Directors Press for Progress Little Rock Public School's Board of Directors, as a policy-making body of this community’s educational pro- gram, must provide for a school system and establish its general policies in compliance with the needs and desires of the district. In addition, the members are re- sponsible for providing an effective school budget for the operation and maintenance of the schools. In positions requiring such responsibility, farsighted- ness is the greatest asset. The major problem of the Board, according to Mr. W. C. McDonald, president, is providing enough schools to keep up with the pop- ulation explosion. Provisions arc being made for a fifth high school in the western part of town for the '66-67 school term. Also visionary plans of a high school for the gifted arc under discussion. Although the Board is immensely concerned with pro- viding new institutions of education, they realize the im- portance of renovating and retaining the grandeur of older schools. Members of the Board are concerned with keeping Central one of the most beautiful schools in America. Much expense and planning has gone into the addition of an intercom system, new lighting, and in- sulation to subdue noise in halls. 18—Board Mr. W. C. McDonald, president of the education board, and Dr. John Harrel Jr., vice president, tako time from thair schedules to spend a leisurely morning at Central. As they depart, both gaze upon Central's spacious campus. Central's awe-intpiring dignity and charm impress.

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Competent Administrators Direct Overall Activities Now completing his fifth year as superintendent of Little Rock Public Schools, Mr. Floyd W. Parsons is still enthused about his work. A former teacher, Mr. Parsons is concerned not only with education and edu- catccs, but also with educators. Mr. Parsons said that he, the assistant superinten- dents, and the School Board were all pleased with the opening of the new vocational high school, Metropolitan High, this past fall. It is designed solely for vocational and technical education, and, as a result, Little Rock’s voca- tional and technical curriculum has been greatly expanded. Commenting on other improvements in the System, Mr. Parsons said the initial teaching alphabet is now being taught in elementary schools. The School System is also in the process of implementing the U.S. Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965. This is a federal program enabling educators to improve their programs because of con- siderable financial aid. The superintendent said he was also pleased with the increased millagc which voters approved in September, and that the Board was anxious to continue improvements with the aid of the $4.4 million bond issue, with which they will be able to continue their school building con- struction program. Mr. Parsons, an avid family man, is always eager to take time from his busy schedule to be with his family. The father of two sons and a daughter, he attends church with them regularly. For relaxation and pleasure, Mr. Parsons finds gardening in his home an interesting pastime. 20—Administration