June 11, 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. Recognition
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
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IV.1. Jaime Garcia — 2025 Milken Educator Award Winner
Description:
Created by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken, the Milken Educator Awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards to K-12 teachers, principals, and specialists from around the country who are furthering excellence in education. Jaime Garcia is the sole Arkansas 2025 Milken Educator Award Winner. Mr. Garcia is a former mathematics teacher and the current Dean of Academics at LISA Academy North Middle-High School.
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IV.2. Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship
Description:
The Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship is a nine-month program launched in summer 2025 to recognize and support some of the state’s top educators, particularly those earning merit pay, while highlighting exemplary teaching for the public. In its inaugural year, the Arkansas Department of Education selected 23 high-performing educators from across the state to participate.
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IV.3. Stephanie Williams — 2026 Arkansas Teacher of the Year
Description:
To recognize and celebrate excellent teachers, the Arkansas Department of Education coordinates the Arkansas Teacher of the Year program. The ATOY program is part of the National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) program that is coordinated by the Council of Chief State School Officers.
Stephanie Williams, a K-4 music teacher at Mountain View Elementary, Benton School District, was named the 2026 Arkansas Teacher of the Year in October 2025. Ms. Williams will begin her year of service on July 1, 2026. |
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IV.4. Arijit Sarkar — StateScoop 50 Award Winner
Description:
StateScoop is a U.S.-based media and events platform focused on state and local government technology.
Arijit Sarkar, ADE Chief Information Officer, has been named a State Leadership Award winner by StateScoop. Mr. Sarkar was selected as a public sector disruptor helping government implement new technologies, secure systems, revolutionize operations, and make big changes. |
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V. Changes to Agenda
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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VI. Action Agenda
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VI.1. Standards Waiver Request for Employment of Superintendent by Rural Special School District
Presenter:
Hope Worsham, Assistant Commissioner
Description:
The Rural Special School District is requesting a standards waiver for employing a full-time Superintendent.
Attachments:
()
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VI.2. Request for Waiver - LA-26-001- Trina Grant
Presenter:
Daniel Shults
Description:
The Arkansas Department of Education received information that the educator was convicted of a disqualifying criminal offense. Per Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-410, the State Board shall not issue a first-time license to a person who has pled guilty or nolo contendere to or has been found guilty of an enumerated offense by a court in the State of Arkansas or of any similar offense by a court in another state or by a federal court. The educator is requesting a waiver under Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-410(f).
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VI.3. Consideration of Request to Release the Rules Governing Student Special Needs Funding for Public Comment
Presenter:
Stacy Smith
Description:
The division is requesting these rules be released for public comment. This amendment reflects changes made by Act 911 of 2025.
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VI.4. School Choice Appeal under Arkansas Code § 6-18-1901 et seq.
Presenter:
Daniel Shults
Description:
The following agenda items are appeals filed by the families of public school students whose school choice applications were denied.
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VI.4.a. School Choice Appeal — 2026-001
Description:
This is an appeal of the Fort Smith School District's denial of an intra-district school choice application.
Attachments:
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VI.4.b. School Choice Appeal — 2026-002
Description:
This is an appeal of the Fort Smith School District's denial of an intra-district school choice application.
Attachments:
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VII. New Business
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VIII. Consent Agenda
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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VIII.1. Minutes
Presenter:
Angela Scaife
Attachments:
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VIII.2. District Conversion Charter Application for the Global Innovation Academy (Fort Smith)
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed.D, Assistant Commissioner
Description:
On May 21, 2026, representatives of the Fort Smith School District presented a proposal for a District Conversion Charter for the Global Innovation Academy to the Charter Authorizing Panel. Questions and answers followed. It was moved by Mr. Phillip Baldwin to approve the charter application. Dr. John Bacon seconded Mr. Baldwin's motion, and it passed unanimously.
Attachments:
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VIII.3. Renewal of Existing Charter for the Future School of Fort Smith
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed.D, Assistant Commissioner
Description:
On May 21, 2026, the Charter Authorizing Panel recommended renewal of the charter for this Open Enrollment charter school located in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas. Questions and answers followed. It was moved by Mr. Phillip Baldwin to recommend renewal of the charter through June 30, 2029, a period of three years. Dr. Crystal Beshears-Duncan seconded Mr. Baldwin's motion, and it passed unanimously.
Attachments:
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VIII.4. Renewal of Existing Charter for Arkansas Connections Academy
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed. D., Assistant Commissioner
Description:
On May 21, 2026, the Charter Authorizing Panel recommended renewal of the charter for this Open Enrollment charter school located in Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas. Questions and answers followed. It was moved by Dr. Crystal Beshears-Duncan to recommend renewal of the charter through June 30, 2031, a period of five years. Dr. Tina Moore seconded Dr. Beshears-Duncan’s motion, and it passed unanimously.
Attachments:
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IX. Reports
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IX.1. Board Liaison Reports
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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IX.2. ATOY Report
Presenter:
Jeanie Wilcoxon
Attachments:
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IX.3. Commissioner's Report
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
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X. Public Comments
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XI. Adjournment
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