This week, Fort Smith residents are navigating a complex landscape of closures, staff cuts, and new construction. While it is tempting to view these as a single conflict, the reality is a mix of separate legal "pots" of money and shifting regional priorities.
The School Closures: Population over Pocketbooks
On February 2, 2026, the Fort Smith School Board voted 6-1 to close Carnall and Spradling elementary schools.
The "Why": This is a "Right-Sizing" move. Enrollment at Carnall (152 students) and Spradling (275) is far below the state standard of 500 per school.
The Pot: School funding is independent of the City Council. It comes from property taxes and state funds tied directly to student count. When students leave, the money leaves, making it impossible to keep under-capacity buildings open.
Public Safety: The "71 Vacancies" Debate
To balance a $4M deficit, the 2026 City Budget eliminated 71 total vacant positions.
The Impact: This included 8 police officer and 6 firefighter roles.
The Conflict: While the city notes these were "unfilled" jobs, public safety unions argue that removing them permanently makes it harder to recruit and retain the staff needed to keep the city safe.
The Water Slide Lawsuit: Timing and Transparency
On February 3, 2026, a lawsuit was filed to halt the $6.3 million Parrot Island slide project.
The Argument: The suit alleges the city violated "competitive bidding" rules by awarding a $2.68M installation contract directly to one firm.
The Counter: The city argues "exigent circumstances"—if they didn't act fast, the slides wouldn't be ready for the 2026 summer season.
Many residents are asking: "If we are cutting cops, why are we building solar canopies?"
The Solar Canopy ($1.45M): This is funded by a federal EPA grant. This money cannot be used for police or schools. It is "use it or lose it" money designed to save the city $100,000 a year in future energy bills.
Main Street Contract ($150k): This week, the board renewed its contract with Main Street Fort Smith. Supporters see this as "seed money" that attracts millions in private redevelopment to downtown, while skeptics see it as a luxury during a lean budget year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t the City use the $6.3M from the water slides to keep Carnall and Spradling Elementary open?
Legally, they are two completely different organizations. The Fort Smith Public School District (FSPS) is a separate political entity from the City of Fort Smith. FSPS receives its funding from local property taxes (millage) and state funds. The City receives its money from sales taxes. The City has no legal authority to fund or operate public schools.
If the schools aren’t run by the City, why are they closing now?
The closures are part of a "Rightsizing" plan based on student population. Arkansas state funding for schools is based on a target of 500 students per building. As of late 2025, Carnall had only 152 students and Spradling had 275. The district argues that keeping these under-capacity buildings open drains resources that could be better spent on teachers and technology at larger, consolidated campuses.
The school district isn't just picking a number out of a hat. They are trying to reach the 500-student mark because that is where the state's checkbook finally opens up for full staffing and facility repairs. Being 'under' that number means the district is essentially paying a 'penalty' to keep the lights on in smaller buildings.
Did the City really cut 71 Police and Fire jobs to pay for water slides?
Not exactly, but that is the heart of the debate. The City eliminated 71 vacant positions (roles that were authorized but currently empty) to close a $4 million budget deficit. This included 8 police and 6 fire positions. While no one was fired, the unions argue that the $2 million in additional funding recently allocated to the water slides should have been used to increase pay or recruitment to actually fill those empty police and fire seats.
Where did the $1.45 million for the Farmers Market Solar Canopy come from?
This project is largely funded by the City's general fund, but it is eligible for a 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit. Unlike a recreational slide, this is a "Fiscal Hedge." The city expects the solar canopy and other solar arrays to generate over $100,000 in net energy savings annually, essentially paying for themselves over time by lowering the city's utility bills.
What happens to the Parrot Island slides now that there is a lawsuit?
The lawsuit, filed on February 3, 2026, asks a judge to stop the project because the city waived "competitive bidding." If the judge agrees, the city might have to pause the project and start the bidding process over. The city argues this would be a disaster because they need the slides finished by the 2026 summer season to generate revenue.