August 1, 2025 at 9:00 AM - State Board of Education
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I. Call to Order
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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II. Moment of Silence
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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III. Recognition
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III.1. Senior Citizens Earn High School Diplomas at the Excel Center
Presenter:
Dr. Darrell Smith, Assistant Commissioner
Description:
The Excel Center, an adult education public charter school sponsored by Goodwill Arkansas Education Initiatives, Inc., serves adults of all ages. At age 72, Audrey Palmer is the oldest June 2025 Excel Center graduate, and senior citizens Pat Nesby and Robin Turner graduated from Excel in June 2024.
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III.2. Master Principal Program Designation Candidates 2024-2025 Presentation
Presenter:
Courtney Salas-Ford, Chief of Staff
Description:
Following site visits in Spring 2025, the Arkansas Leadership Academy is recognizing each of the following two principals with the designation of Master Principal:
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IV. Changes to Agenda
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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V. Action Agenda
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V.1. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-094 - Thomas Michael Stacks
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
At its regularly-scheduled meeting on July 10, 2025, the State Board of Education requested the PLSB recommendation for Case 25-094 - Thomas Michael Stacks be moved from the consent agenda to the next available action agenda. Today's hearing was scheduled, and Thomas Michael Stacks's attorney was notified of the hearing date.
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VI. New Business
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VII. Consent Agenda
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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VII.1. Minutes
Presenter:
Angela Scaife
Attachments:
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VII.2. 2025-2026 Embedded Courses
Presenter:
Dr. Kiffany Pride
Description:
Ark. Code Ann. § 6-15-202(b)(2) allows curriculum frameworks from two separate courses to be taught in a single course, known as combined or embedded courses. DESE respectfully requests the State Board of Education (SBE) approve the embedded courses included in the attachment, understanding that when the curriculum frameworks for one of the courses are revised, a new course approval request must be submitted to the SBE and approval must be granted before a school will be able to offer the embedded course.
Attachments:
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VII.3. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-006 & 25-028 Crystal Parnell
Presenter:
Whitney James
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 his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Permanent Revocation of License and assess a fine of $500. |
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VII.4. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-145 Hannah Bryant-Stevens
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. Violation of Standard 3. An educator honestly fulfills reporting obligations associated with professional practices. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 1 year and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: Child Abuse and Neglect: A Caregiver’s Guide to Adverse Childhood Experiences (5 Clock Hours) https://www.carecourses.com/courses/550, ERC23008: Code of Ethics Part Five: Reporting Obligations (.5 Credit Hour), Title: Positive Discipline: The Classic Guide to Helping Children Develop Self-Discipline, Responsibility, Cooperation, and Problem-Solving Skills (384p) Author: Jane Nelsen Ed. D. ISBN 10: 0345487672, Personal therapy through AR Resources Employee Assistance Benefits, Comprehensive psychological evaluation, and ArkansasIDEAS - ERB21002 Be the Reason: The Educator’s Role in Combating Child Maltreatment (2 Credit Hours). Require educator to prepare written reflections on each training on how they will impact the educator’s reporting in the future. (All costs paid by Educator Bryant) |
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VII.5. Charter Amendment Requests
Presenter:
Dr. Darrell Smith, Assistant Commissioner
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VII.5.a. Relocation of Jacksonville Lighthouse Flightline
Description:
On July 17, 2025, the Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously approved the relocation of Jacksonville Lighthouse from 1030 Cannon Dr., LRAFB, AR 72099, to 251 N. First St., Jacksonville, AR 72076, and to rename the school Jacksonville Lighthouse Middle School.
Attachments:
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VII.5.b. Relocation of eStem Campuses
Description:
On July 17, 2025, the Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously approved the amendment requests from eStem to do the following:
Attachments:
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VII.5.c. IOTA Community Schools to Defer Opening
Description:
On July 17, 2025, the Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously approved IOTA Community Schools to defer opening its K-5 campus for one year and open both its K-5 and 6-8 campuses in 2026-2027.
Attachments:
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VII.5.d. Pinecrest Academy Fayetteville to Defer Opening
Description:
On July 17, 2025, the Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously approved Pinecrest Academy Fayetteville to defer opening until August 2026.
Attachments:
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VII.5.e. Somerset Academy Bentonville High School to Defer Opening
Description:
On July 17, 2025, the Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously approved Somerset Academy Bentonville High School to defer opening until the 2026-2027 school year.
Attachments:
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VII.5.f. Somerset Academy Bentonville Middle School to Defer Opening
Description:
On July 17, 2025, the Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously approved Somerset Academy Bentonville Middle School to defer opening until the 2026-2027 school year.
Attachments:
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VII.5.g. Somerset Academy Bentonville Elementary to Defer Opening
Description:
On July 17, 2025, the Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously approved Somerset Academy Bentonville Elementary to defer opening until the 2026-2027 school year.
Attachments:
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VII.5.h. Somerset Academy Little Rock High School to Defer Opening
Description:
On July 17, 2025, the Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously approved Somerset Academy Little Rock High School to defer opening until the 2026-2027 school year.
Attachments:
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VII.5.i. Somerset Academy Little Rock Middle School to Defer Opening
Description:
On July 17, 2025, the Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously approved Somerset Academy Little Rock Middle School to defer opening until the 2026-2027 school year.
Attachments:
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VII.5.j. Somerset Academy Little Rock Elementary to Defer Opening
Description:
On July 17, 2025, the Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously approved Somerset Academy Little Rock Elementary to defer opening until the 2026-2027 school year.
Attachments:
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VII.5.k. Rivercrest School District to Reconfigure the Grade Levels of Its Charter Schools
Description:
On July 17, 2025, the Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously approved Rivercrest School District to reconfigure its two charter schools, Rivercrest Junior High Prep Academy, (LEA 4706-702) grades 7-8 and Rivercrest High School (LEA 4706-703), grades 9-12, into a single LEA serving grades 7-12.
Attachments:
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VIII. Reports
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VIII.1. Board Liaison Reports
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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VIII.2. Commissioner's Report
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
Description:
Updates on the Blytheville, Helena-West Helena, and Earle School Districts will be provided.
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IX. Public Comments
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X. Adjournment
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