LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Little Rock School District (LRSD) has named a new superintendent.
Baker Kurrus replaces Dr. Dexter Suggs after his resignation from LRSD last month among allegations he plagiarized parts of his Ph. D Dissertation.
Kurrus is the former LRSD school board president.
Suggs received a hefty severance package to walk away from the school district.
Marvin Burton has been serving as LRSD’s Interim Superintendent since Suggs’ exit.
The Arkansas Department of Education released the following statement following the district’s announcement:
Howard Baker Kurrus was named the new superintendent of the Little Rock School District today at a press conference held at the district. Kurrus will begin his new role immediately.
Arkansas Department of Education Commissioner Johnny Key appointed Kurrus, a former Little Rock School Board member, to the position. Kurrus replaces Marvin Burton, who served as interim superintendent after Dr. Dexter Suggs resigned recently. Burton will resume his previous role as deputy superintendent.
“Because of his extensive experience creating and leading effective organizations, Mr. Kurrus will be a tremendous asset and resource for the Little Rock School District,” Key said. “As a former school district board member, Mr. Kurrus is dedicated to serving the students, parents, teachers and administrators in the district. I have the upmost confidence in his ability to lead the district during this time of transition with six schools in academic distress and pending loss of desegregation funds.”
“I also want to thank Mr. Burton for his commitment and service to the district and Little Rock community,” Key said. “His willingness to step in and work with me and the ADE team has been of great value.”
“Baker Kurrus provides an experienced, steady hand to guide the Little Rock School District at a difficult time,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. “He’s served on the Little Rock School Board, he’s shown a passion for education, he understands the issues and, in sending his children to public schools, he’s been personally invested in the district. Baker always has been honest and determined in his approach to make the Little Rock School District a success and do right by the children of central Arkansas. We need Baker Kurrus’ experience and knowledge at this time, and we are grateful to him for taking on this challenge.”
“I am profoundly humbled by this appointment and look forward to serving the students, parents, teachers and other stakeholders of the Little Rock School District,” said Kurrus. “This is a bold move that, with collaborative teamwork, can help us deliver the kind of educational opportunities our students deserve.”
Kurrus received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a juris doctorate from Harvard Law School in Cambridge, MA.
He currently serves as an attorney and business consultant for H. Baker Kurrus, PLLC and was a member of the board of directors for the Little Rock School District from September 1998 to August 2010.
Prior to starting his own firm, Kurrus served as general counsel for Landers Auto Group; president and director of The Winrock Group, Inc.; co-manager and co-founder for Rocket Properties, LLC; managing member of Riverside Properties, LLC; and board member and president of Two Prairie Farms, Inc.
Kurrus also served as a partner at Shults, Ray & Kurrus and as a real estate, taxation and banking associate for Locke, Purnell, Boren, Laney & Nelley in Dallas.
He currently serves on the Catholic Health Initiatives – St. Vincent Board of Directors. He previously served as the council attorney and president for the Quapaw Area Council, Inc. of the Boy Scouts of America, having received the Silver Beaver Award. In addition, he has held numerous roles at Asbury United Methodist Church in Little Rock.
Baker Kurrus replaces Dr. Dexter Suggs after his resignation from LRSD last month among allegations he plagiarized parts of his Ph. D Dissertation.
Kurrus is the former LRSD school board president.
Suggs received a hefty severance package to walk away from the school district.
Marvin Burton has been serving as LRSD’s Interim Superintendent since Suggs’ exit.
The Arkansas Department of Education released the following statement following the district’s announcement:
Howard Baker Kurrus was named the new superintendent of the Little Rock School District today at a press conference held at the district. Kurrus will begin his new role immediately.
Arkansas Department of Education Commissioner Johnny Key appointed Kurrus, a former Little Rock School Board member, to the position. Kurrus replaces Marvin Burton, who served as interim superintendent after Dr. Dexter Suggs resigned recently. Burton will resume his previous role as deputy superintendent.
“Because of his extensive experience creating and leading effective organizations, Mr. Kurrus will be a tremendous asset and resource for the Little Rock School District,” Key said. “As a former school district board member, Mr. Kurrus is dedicated to serving the students, parents, teachers and administrators in the district. I have the upmost confidence in his ability to lead the district during this time of transition with six schools in academic distress and pending loss of desegregation funds.”
“I also want to thank Mr. Burton for his commitment and service to the district and Little Rock community,” Key said. “His willingness to step in and work with me and the ADE team has been of great value.”
“Baker Kurrus provides an experienced, steady hand to guide the Little Rock School District at a difficult time,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. “He’s served on the Little Rock School Board, he’s shown a passion for education, he understands the issues and, in sending his children to public schools, he’s been personally invested in the district. Baker always has been honest and determined in his approach to make the Little Rock School District a success and do right by the children of central Arkansas. We need Baker Kurrus’ experience and knowledge at this time, and we are grateful to him for taking on this challenge.”
“I am profoundly humbled by this appointment and look forward to serving the students, parents, teachers and other stakeholders of the Little Rock School District,” said Kurrus. “This is a bold move that, with collaborative teamwork, can help us deliver the kind of educational opportunities our students deserve.”
Kurrus received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a juris doctorate from Harvard Law School in Cambridge, MA.
He currently serves as an attorney and business consultant for H. Baker Kurrus, PLLC and was a member of the board of directors for the Little Rock School District from September 1998 to August 2010.
Prior to starting his own firm, Kurrus served as general counsel for Landers Auto Group; president and director of The Winrock Group, Inc.; co-manager and co-founder for Rocket Properties, LLC; managing member of Riverside Properties, LLC; and board member and president of Two Prairie Farms, Inc.
Kurrus also served as a partner at Shults, Ray & Kurrus and as a real estate, taxation and banking associate for Locke, Purnell, Boren, Laney & Nelley in Dallas.
He currently serves on the Catholic Health Initiatives – St. Vincent Board of Directors. He previously served as the council attorney and president for the Quapaw Area Council, Inc. of the Boy Scouts of America, having received the Silver Beaver Award. In addition, he has held numerous roles at Asbury United Methodist Church in Little Rock.