Arthur "Bo" Felder also was the lead teacher at the Pulaski County Step One Alternative Day School where he was an inspiration to the staff and students. He had a positive influence on the students as he touched and changed many of their lives. His peers and co-workers wanted his extraordinary service to the citizens of Pulaski County and his sacrifice for his country honored and remembered as a lasting reminder of his contributions to both his community and country. Judge Floyd "Buddy" Villines and the Quorum Court of Pulaski County adopted the resolution and changed Pulaski County Learning Academy (PALA) to Arthur "Bo" Felder Alternative Learning Academy in December 2004. The Tri-District Charter School Committee continued this honor in naming the school Felder Alternative Learning Academy.
Felder Alternative Learning Academy
School no longer in operation
The Felder Alternative Learning Academy is a militarily structured program for students in grades 6 to 12 designed to modify behavior and provide opportunities for academic success. Felder is a conversion charter school and accepts students from the Little Rock School District and the North Little Rock School District. Students are assigned to Felder by the Student Hearing Office or by the Board of Directors from their districts. Official notice of an assignment to Felder is given to both the student's home school and Felder.
Upon assignment to Felder, students and parents must participate in an intake meeting where the procedures and guidelines of the Felder Alternative Learning Academy are explained and the expectations of the students are clearly defined. Felder uses a framework and methodology which parallels the military. It provides constructive, disciplined standards that lead to effective self-discipline, respect for authority and good citizenship.
In August 2007 Felder moved from its original location on Geyer Springs Road in Southwest Little Rock to its new home in the former Badgett Elementary building on Pecan Road in eastern Little Rock.
Felder Alternative Learning Academy is named in honor of Army Captain Arthur "Bo" Felder, who paid the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq. He was a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Army and Army National Guard. He began his military career during the summer of his junior year in high school, and he served with the peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Honduras. Captain Felder graduated second highest in his class of Officer Candidates' School in 1995. He received many awards and citations, including the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Arkansas Distinguished Service Ribbon.
Captain Felder served with the 1st Cavalry Division, 39th Combat Team, and was deployed to Iraq in March 2004. He was killed in the line of duty on April 24, 2004
Sources:
LRSD archives. If you have information about a Little Rock school or photographs that you would like to contribute to this project (we will return photographs if requested), please contact us!
Updated August 2007