July 14, 2016 at 10:00 AM - State Board of Education

Description:  The applicant data from this information is used to compile the Applicant Flow Chart forms for the Affirmative Action Report, which demonstrates the composition of applicants through the selecting, hiring, promoting, and terminating process.  The information is needed to measure the effectiveness of the agency's recruitment, hiring and promotion efforts and is in conformity with federal government guidelines, which require the agency to compile statistical information about applicants for employment.

Description:  Arkansas Code Annotated §6-17-309 requires local school districts to secure a waiver when classrooms are staffed with unlicensed teachers for longer than thirty (30) days. Requests were received from four (4) school districts covering a total of seven (7) waivers. There were no requests for long-term substitutes. These requests have been reviewed, were either approved or denied by Department staff, and are consistent with program guidelines. 

Description:  Violation of Standard 1.  An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order permanent license revocation. Mr. Cone accepted the recommendation on June 16, 2016.

Description:  Violation of Standard 1.  An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a two (2) year license probation and assess a $75.00 fine.  Mr. Eddings accepted the recommendation on May 23, 2016.

Description:  Violation of Standard 2.  An educator maintains competence regarding skills, knowledge, and dispositions relating to his/her organizational position, subject matter, and/or pedagogical practice. Violation of Standard 3.  An educator honestly fulfills reporting obligations associated with professional practices.  The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a two (2) year license probation; assess a $75.00 fine; require Ms. LaRose to complete training on the SPED paperwork processes and procedures through the ADE Special Education Unit within one (1) year of the State Board’s final order; all costs paid by educator.  Ms. LaRose accepted the recommendation on May 27,2016.

Description:  Violation of Standard 1.  An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a written reprimand; assess a $50.00 fine; require Ms. Scott-Chambers to complete eleven (11) hours of training on building effective relationships through ArkansasIDEAS (IAD14492) within six (6) months of the State Board’s final order;  all costs paid by the educator. Ms. Scott-Chambers accepted the recommendations on May 25, 2016. 

Description:  Violation of Standard 1.  An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a written reprimand; assess a $50.00 fine; require Ms. Schumacher to complete six (6) hours of professional development training on classroom management and six (6) hours in classroom discipline; submit a written reflection to the PLSB office addressing how the trainings will impact her actions on the school bus; require the training to be in addition to any professional development required by the school district or the Arkansas Department of Education.  All training and written reflection to be completed within six (6) months from the date of the State Board’s final order; all costs paid by the educator.  Ms. Schumacher accepted the recommendation on May 23, 2016.

Description:  Violation of Standard 1.  An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a written reprimand; assess a $50.00 fine; require Mr. Colton to read Cybertraps for Educators by Frederick S. Lane (ISBN-10:  1507550758 or ISBN-13: 978-1507550755); submit a written reflection to the PLSB office that addresses how the assigned reading will impact his professional interaction with students; assigned reading and written reflection to be completed within six (6) months of the State Board’s final order; and all costs paid by the educator. Mr. Turner accepted the recommendation on May 26, 2016.

Description:  Violation of Standard 1.  An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom.  Violation of Standard 2.   An educator maintains competence regarding skills, knowledge, and dispositions relating to his/her organizational position, subject matter, and/or pedagogical practice. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a two (2) year license probation; assess a $75.00 fine; require completion of six (6) hours of good sportsmanship adult conduct training obtained through the Arkansas Activities Association; require a written reflection to the PLSB office on how the training will impact and improve his future sportsmanship as an athletic coach; complete the training and written reflection within six (6) months of the State Board’s final order; all costs paid by the educator.  Mr. Lea did not respond within the required thirty (30) day period.

Description:  Violation of Standard 7.  An educator maintains the confidentiality of information about students and colleagues obtained in the course of the educator’s professional services that is protected under state law or regulations, federal law or regulations, or the written policies of the educator’s school district, unless disclosure serves a professional purpose as allowed or required by law or regulations. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a written warning.  Ms. Hall did not respond within the required thirty (30) day period.

Description:  Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-13-112, a quarterly status report is provided for each school district currently under state authority. 

Description:  The Adult Education Public Charter School Application Timeline has been updated to align with the District Conversion Charter School Application Timeline.

Description:  Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-1901 et seq. and the Arkansas Department of Education Rules Governing the Public School Choice Act of 2015, the Dulaney family appeals the decision of the Cabot School District to deny its child's school choice application for the 2016-2017 school year.  The family resides in the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District

Description:  Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-1901 et seq. and the Arkansas Department of Education Rules Governing the Public School Choice Act of 2015, the McAuliffe family appeals the decision of the Parkers Chapel School District to deny its children's school choice applications for the 2016-2017 school year.  The family resides in the El Dorado School District.

Description:  Violation of Standard 1: An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. On March 20, 2014, the State Board unanimously adopted the Ethics Subcommittee’s finding that Mr. Difani violated Standard 1 of the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators. The State Board entered a final order placing Mr. Difani’s license on probation for three (3) years, assessing a seventy-five dollar ($75.00) fine, and cautioning that further violations of the Code of Ethics could result in more severe discipline, including the permanent revocation of his license. The Professional Licensure Standards Board received information indicating that Mr. Difani violated the Board’s order by continuing the sanctioned behavior. This case is presented to the State Board for a determination on whether Mr. Difani should subject to further sanctions. Mr. Difani is represented by attorney, Bill James.

Description:  Violation of Standard 1:  An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Recommendation: Following an evidentiary hearing on February 12, 2016, the Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommended that the State Board suspend Ms. Morton’s license for two (2) years; assess a $100.00 fine; prior to returning to the classroom, require Ms. Morton to complete six (6) hours of classroom management training with an emphasis on developing a positive relationship and communication with students; prior to returning to the classroom, require Ms. Morton to complete six (6) hours of anger management classes; hold Ms. Morton responsible for all associated costs; and require Ms. Morton to reimburse the ADE for the cost of the court reporter as she did not appear at her requested evidentiary hearing. Ms. Morton made a request for State Board review. Ms. Morton filed written objections and the PLSB filed its response. Ms. Morton represents herself. 

Description:  Michael Magouyrk is seeking a teaching license. On June 8, 2016, the Department notified Mr. Magouyrk that he was ineligible for licensure and employment in an Arkansas public school based on a disqualifying offense enumerated in Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-410. Mr. Magouyrk requested a waiver of the disqualifying offense. The Department recommends that the State Board grant the waiver request. Mr. Magouyrk represents himself.

Description:  Marianne Gandolph is seeking the renewal of her teaching license. On June 8, 2016, the Department notified Ms. Gandolph that she was ineligible for licensure and employment in an Arkansas public school based on a disqualifying offense enumerated in Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-410. Ms. Gandolph requested a waiver of the disqualifying offense. The Department recommends that the State Board grant the waiver request. Ms. Gandolph represents herself.

Description:  Jermichael L. Riley is seeking a teaching license. On May 2, 2016, the Department notified Mr. Riley that he was ineligible for licensure and employment in an Arkansas public school based on a disqualifying offense enumerated in Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-410. Mr. Riley did not respond or request a waiver of the disqualification from the State Board. The Department recommends that the State Board deny Mr. Riley’s application for licensure.

Description:  Chadwick Lance Martin holds a standard teaching license and has an outstanding fine of $100, as ordered by the State Board of Education. Mr. Martin has not responded to collection attempts. The PLSB staff respectfully request the suspension of Mr. Martin’s license until the fine is paid in full.

Description:  Deborah Faye Craig holds a standard teaching license and has an outstanding fine of $75, as ordered by the State Board of Education. Ms. Craig has not responded to collection attempts. The PLSB staff respectfully request the suspension of Ms. Craig’s license until the fine is paid in full.

Description:  Penny Louise Oden holds a standard teaching license and has an outstanding fine of $100, as ordered by the State Board of Education. Ms. Oden has not responded to collection attempts. The PLSB staff respectfully request the suspension of Ms. Oden’s license until the fine is paid in full.

Description:  Billy Eugene Carter holds a standard teaching license and has an outstanding fine of $100, as ordered by the State Board of Education. Mr. Carter has not responded to collection attempts. The PLSB staff respectfully request the suspension of Mr. Carter’s license until the fine is paid in full.

Description:  Earl Deer Young holds a standard teaching license. On September 11, 2014, the State Board assessed a $50 fine to be paid by Mr. Young. Due to extenuating circumstances, the PLSB staff respectfully request that the State Board rescind the assessed $50 fine.

Description:  Andrea Raye Day holds a standard teaching license and has an outstanding fine of $75, as ordered by the State Board of Education. Ms. Day has not responded to collection attempts. The PLSB staff respectfully request the suspension of Ms. Day’s license until the fine is paid in full.

Description:  The Council for Chief State School Officers (CSSO) and the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA) have revised the standards that guide preparation and practice for educational leaders in the United States. These standards, which were formerly known as the ISLLC standards, articulate the knowledge and skills expected of school leaders. The PSEL Standards will be used by many states to guide policies concerning the practice and improvement of educational leaders (e.g., licensure, evaluation and professional learning policies).  Working together, Arkansas Leadership Programs, Arkansas public school leaders, and supporting organizations recommend adopting the PSEL standards and have drafted a timeline for implementation to take place by 2020. The full standards can be accessed here: http://www.ccsso.org/Documents/2015/ProfessionalStandardsforEducationalLeaders2015forNPBEAFINAL.pdf

Description:  On May 18, 2016, representatives of Little Rock Preparatory Academy appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel, requesting an amendment to their charter.  By a five-to-two vote, the Panel approved the request.  On June 9, 2016, the State Board of Education voted to review the decision of the Charter Authorizing Panel.

Description:  On May 18, 2016, representatives of Haas Hall appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting, an amendment to their charter.  By a six-to-one vote, the Panel denied the enrollment cap expansion.  By a five-to-two vote, the Panel approved the sibling preference addition to both the Fayetteville and Bentonville charters.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel denied the license request to open a campus at the Jones Center in Springdale for the 2016-2017 school year.  On June 9, 2016, the State Board of Education voted to review the decision of the Charter Authorizing Panel.

Description:  On May 18, 2016, representatives of Mountain Home High School Career Academies appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel, requesting an amendment to their charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request with the provision of including a written summary report describing the impact the waivers have on ninth grade students to be submitted by June 1, 2017.  On June 9, 2016, the State Board of Education voted to review the decision of the Charter Authorizing Panel.