Meeting Agenda
I. Call to Order
II. Changes to Agenda
III. Action Agenda 
III.1. Fort Smith School District Conversion Charter Application for the Global Innovation Academy
III.2. Renewal of Existing Charter for Arkansas Connections Academy
III.3. Review and Consideration of School Improvement Plans
III.3.a. Garfield Scholars Academy
III.3.b. Friendship Aspire Academy Schools
III.3.b.1) Friendship Aspire Academy—Downtown Pine Bluff
III.3.b.2) Friendship Aspire Hazel Street Pine Bluff
III.3.b.3) Friendship Aspire Little Rock Elementary
III.3.b.4) Friendship Aspire North Little Rock Elementary
III.4. Future School of Fort Smith
III.4.a. Review and Consideration of School Improvement Plan
III.4.b. Renewal of Existing Charter
IV. Consent Agenda
IV.1. Minutes of the April 16, 2026 Regular Meeting
V. Reports 
V.1. Charter School Openings - Fall 2026
V.2. Charter School Closings
V.2.a. Founders Classical Academy of West Little Rock
V.2.b. Scott Charter Schools
VI. Public Comments
VII. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: May 21, 2026 at 9:00 AM - Charter Authorizing Panel
Subject:
I. Call to Order
Presenter:
Dr. Sonja Wright-McMurray, Chair
Subject:
II. Changes to Agenda
Presenter:
Dr. Sonja Wright-McMurray, Chair
Subject:
III. Action Agenda 
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed. D., Assistant Commissioner
Subject:
III.1. Fort Smith School District Conversion Charter Application for the Global Innovation Academy
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed. D., Assistant Commissioner
Description:
Representatives of the Fort Smith School District present a proposal for a District Conversion Charter for the Global Innovation Academy in this district in Sebastian County, Arkansas.
Attachments:
Subject:
III.2. Renewal of Existing Charter for Arkansas Connections Academy
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Description:
Representatives of Arkansas Connections Academy (Benton County) appear before the Charter Authorizing Panel to renew the school’s charter which expires June 30, 2026.
 
Attachments:
Subject:
III.3. Review and Consideration of School Improvement Plans
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Subject:
III.3.a. Garfield Scholars Academy
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Description:
Representatives from the Garfield Scholars Academy, in Benton County, Arkansas, return to present their school improvement plan before the Charter Authorizing Panel.
Attachments:
Subject:
III.3.b. Friendship Aspire Academy Schools
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Description:
Representatives from Friendship Aspire Academy Schools return to present their school improvement plans for four schools in Jefferson County and Pulaski County, Arkansas before the Charter Authorizing Panel.
Attachments:
Subject:
III.3.b.1) Friendship Aspire Academy—Downtown Pine Bluff
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Attachments:
Subject:
III.3.b.2) Friendship Aspire Hazel Street Pine Bluff
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Attachments:
Subject:
III.3.b.3) Friendship Aspire Little Rock Elementary
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Attachments:
Subject:
III.3.b.4) Friendship Aspire North Little Rock Elementary
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Attachments:
Subject:
III.4. Future School of Fort Smith
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Subject:
III.4.a. Review and Consideration of School Improvement Plan
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Description:
Representatives from the Future School of Fort Smith, in Sebastian County, Arkansas return to review their school improvement plan before the Charter Authorizing Panel.
 
Attachments:
Subject:
III.4.b. Renewal of Existing Charter
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Description:
Representatives of Future School of Fort Smith (Sebastian County) appear before the Charter Authorizing Panel to renew the school’s charter which expires June 30, 2026.
 
Attachments:
Subject:
IV. Consent Agenda
Presenter:
Freddie Scott, Education Program Coordinator
Subject:
IV.1. Minutes of the April 16, 2026 Regular Meeting
Presenter:
Freddie Scott, Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment
Attachments:
Subject:
V. Reports 
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Subject:
V.1. Charter School Openings - Fall 2026
Presenter:
Freddie Scott, Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment
Subject:
V.2. Charter School Closings
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Subject:
V.2.a. Founders Classical Academy of West Little Rock
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Subject:
V.2.b. Scott Charter Schools
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Subject:
VI. Public Comments
Presenter:
Dr. Darrell Smith, Assistant Commissioner
Subject:
VII. Adjournment
Presenter:
Dr. Sonja Wright-McMurray, Chair

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