Jacksonville and north Pulaski County voters have overwhelmingly approved the creation of a new school district.
Pulaski County officials say initial results of the vote Tuesday show that nearly 96 percent of voters supported separating from the Pulaski County Special School District. About 10 schools will secede from the existing district to create the Jacksonville/North Pulaski County school district with roughly 4,000 students.
About 21 percent of eligible voters within the boundaries of the proposed district voted.
Jacksonville Education Corps spokesman Daniel Gray says the vote is "a game changer." He says the new district will provide more services to its students and teachers. The Education Corps is lobbying for the district.
The Arkansas Board of Education is expected to order the creation of the district within the next several weeks.
