January 8, 2026 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. Pledge of Allegiance
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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IV. National Anthem
Description:
Maggie Kennedy, a homeschool student from Roland, will sing the national anthem. Anabel Flores, from the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind, will sign the anthem alongside her.
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V. Recognition
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
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V.1. 2025 Arkansas History Teacher of the Year — Elizabeth Prewett
Presenter:
Dr. Kiffany Pride
Description:
Elizabeth Prewett, a secondary social studies teacher at Mills University Studies High School, has been named the 2025 Arkansas History Teacher of the Year. Established in 2004, the Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Year Award honors outstanding K-12 American History teachers nationwide. Ms. Prewett will receive a $1,000 honorarium and a collection of books and educational materials from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. |
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VI. Changes to Agenda
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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VII. Action Agenda
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VII.1. Request for Final Approval of the DCTE Rules Governing the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program
Presenter:
Stacy Smith
Description:
The DCTE Rules Governing the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program were approved to be released for public comment by the State Board of Education on November 13, 2025. The public comment period began on November 15, 2025, and ended on December 16, 2025. Public comment was received, but no substantive changes were made. The Division requests the State Board of Education's final approval of the rules as amended.
Attachments:
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VII.2. Authorization of Payment of Stipends and Expense Reimbursement for Board Members
Presenter:
Courtney Salas-Ford
Description:
Arkansas Code § 25-46-902 states that every state board may, by a majority vote of the total membership of the board cast during its first regularly scheduled meeting of each calendar year, authorize expense reimbursement of each board member for performing official board duties. The expense reimbursement shall not exceed the rate established for state employees by state travel regulations.
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VII.3. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case No. 25-223 - Mandy Goodwin
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
The educator objected to the Ethics Hearing Subcommittee's evidentiary hearing findings and recommendation of September 10, 2025, and requested a review by the State Board.
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VIII. New Business
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IX. Consent Agenda
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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IX.1. Minutes
Presenter:
Angela Scaife
Attachments:
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IX.2. Review of Loan and Bond Applications
Presenter:
Greg Rogers
Description:
Arkansas Code § 6-20-1205 states that a school district shall not sell bonds until the issue is approved by the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education, in its discretion and after considering the merits of each application, with the loan committee recommendation, may approve a school district bond application for the full amount of the proposed bond issue, approve the application for a lesser amount than requested, or disapprove the application.
The ADE Loan Committee recommends approval of the following Commercial Bond application: One (1) 2nd Lien — Greenland Ten (10) Voted — Bergman, Brookland, Lake Hamilton, Hope, Bismarck, Cossatot River, Mansfield, Farmington, Fayetteville, and Augusta
Attachments:
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IX.3. District Conversion Charter Application--DRIVEN School of Opportunity (Pulaski County Special School District)
Presenter:
Darrell Smith
Description:
Pulaski County Special School District staff: Rachel Blackwell, Nina Holub, Todd Esota, and Dr. Justin Lutrell appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel on December 18, 2025, delivered a presentation about the proposed charter, and answered panel member questions.
It was moved by Dr. Tina Moore, and seconded by Dr. Crystal Beshears-Duncan to approve the application for charter. The motion passed 4-0.
Attachments:
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X. Reports
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X.1. Board Liaison Reports
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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X.2. ATOY Report
Presenter:
Jeanie Wilcoxon
Attachments:
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X.3. Commissioner's Report
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
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X.3.a. Update on Lee County School District
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XI. Public Comments
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XII. Adjournment
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