Meeting Agenda
I. Call to Order
II. Moment of Silence 
III. Pledge of Allegiance
IV. National Anthem
V. Recognition 
V.1. 2025-2026 Master Principal Program Designation Candidates 
VI. Changes to Agenda
VII. Action Agenda 
VII.1. Consideration of Request(s) for Final Approval of Rules
VII.1.a. Request for Final Approval of the Rules Governing Public School Policies Relating to Overnight Travel and Use of Public School Lavatories
VII.1.b. Request for Final Approval of the Rules Governing the Course Choice Program
VII.1.c. Request for Final Approval of the Rules Governing Consolidation and Annexation of School Districts
VII.2. Appeal(s) of the Denial of a School Choice Application 
VII.2.a. Consideration of School Choice Appeal 2026-005
VII.3. Request for Waiver - LA- 26-002 - Darlisa Ware
VII.4. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case No. 26-092 — Barbara Tucker
VII.5. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case No. 25-222 — James Buie
VIII. New Business
IX. Consent Agenda
IX.1. Minutes 
IX.2. Review of Loan and Bond Applications
IX.3. Recommendations from the Charter Authorizing Panel
IX.3.a. Charter Amendment Request by the Schools for Advanced Studies—Northwest Arkansas
IX.3.b. District Conversion Charter Application for the Sheridan Jacket Academy
IX.3.c. Renewal of Existing Charters
IX.3.c.1) Arkansas Virtual Academy Schools
IX.3.c.2) Graduate Arkansas
IX.3.c.3) Imboden Area Charter School
X. Reports 
X.1. Board Liaison Reports 
X.2. ATOY Report 
X.3. Commissioner's Report 
X.3.a. 2026 ATLAS Performance Overview
X.3.b. 2026 Teacher Merit Pay
XI. Public Comments
XII. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: July 9, 2026 at 9:00 AM - State Board of Education
Subject:
I. Call to Order
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
Subject:
II. Moment of Silence 
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
Subject:
III. Pledge of Allegiance
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
Subject:
IV. National Anthem
Description:
Grayson Gammill from North Little Rock High School will perform the anthem a cappella.
Subject:
V. Recognition 
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
Subject:
V.1. 2025-2026 Master Principal Program Designation Candidates 
Presenter:
Brandie Benton, Assistant Commissioner, Educator Effectiveness & Licensure
Description:
Following site visits in Spring 2026, the Arkansas Leadership Academy is recognizing each of the following principals with the designation of Master Principal:
  • Ahna Davis - Cabot Freshman Academy (Cabot School District)
  • Jeremy Yates - Kirksey Middle School (Rogers School District)
  • Darah Bennett - Pea Ridge Primary (Pea Ridge School District)
  • Dawn Childress - Cook Elementary (Fort Smith School District)
  • Tracey Wood - Apple Glen Elementary (Bentonville School District)
  • Kelley Krogman - Westside Elementary (Greenbrier School District)
  • Christina Hamilton - Willowbrook Elementary (Bentonville School District)
Subject:
VI. Changes to Agenda
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
Subject:
VII. Action Agenda 
Subject:
VII.1. Consideration of Request(s) for Final Approval of Rules
Subject:
VII.1.a. Request for Final Approval of the Rules Governing Public School Policies Relating to Overnight Travel and Use of Public School Lavatories
Presenter:
Hope Worsham
Description:
The division is requesting that these rules be adopted and submitted to the General Assembly for review.  This amendment reflects changes made by Act 119 of 2025.  A public comment period ran from May 15th to June 15th and a public hearing was held on June 8th. 
Attachments:
Subject:
VII.1.b. Request for Final Approval of the Rules Governing the Course Choice Program
Presenter:
Dr. Kiffany Pride
Description:
The division is requesting that these rules be adopted and submitted to the General Assembly for review.  This rule is being promulgated pursuant to the requirements of Act 237 of 2023, § 20 and Act 730 of 2025.  A public comment period ran from May 15th to June 15th and a public hearing was held on June 8th. 
Attachments:
Subject:
VII.1.c. Request for Final Approval of the Rules Governing Consolidation and Annexation of School Districts
Presenter:
Greg Rogers
Description:
The division is requesting that these rules be adopted and submitted to the General Assembly for review.  The amendments update the provisions governing consolidation and annexation incentive funding to reflect Act 919 of 2025 and Act 159 of 2026 governing the detachment of an isolated school district.  A public comment period ran from May 15th to June 15th and a public hearing was held on June 8th. 
Attachments:
Subject:
VII.2. Appeal(s) of the Denial of a School Choice Application 
Subject:
VII.2.a. Consideration of School Choice Appeal 2026-005
Presenter:
Daniel Shults
Description:
This item is an appeal of a non-resident public school district's denial of a school choice petition pursuant to the Public School Choice Act of 2015.  
 
Denied by: White Hall School District
Residents in: Pine Bluff School District
Reason given for denial: Lack of capacity
Attachments:
Subject:
VII.3. Request for Waiver - LA- 26-002 - Darlisa Ware
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).
Subject:
VII.4. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case No. 26-092 — Barbara Tucker
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
The educator objected to the Ethics Hearing Subcommittee's evidentiary hearing findings and recommendation of April 29, 2026, and requested a review by the State Board. 
Subject:
VII.5. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case No. 25-222 — James Buie
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
The educator objected to the Ethics Hearing Subcommittee's evidentiary hearing findings and recommendation of April 15, 2026, and requested a review by the State Board. 
Subject:
VIII. New Business
Subject:
IX. Consent Agenda
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
Subject:
IX.1. Minutes 
Presenter:
Angela Scaife
Attachments:
Subject:
IX.2. Review of Loan and Bond Applications
Presenter:
Greg Rogers
Description:
Commercial Bond Applications - 3 Second Lien

With a recommendation to approve the applications from the Loan Committee and additional information provided by the school districts in its application package and pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-20-1205, concerning school district bonds, a school district shall not sell bonds until the issue is approved by the State Board of Education. Therefore, 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.
Attachments:
Subject:
IX.3. Recommendations from the Charter Authorizing Panel
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed.D, Assistant Commissioner
Subject:
IX.3.a. Charter Amendment Request by the Schools for Advanced Studies—Northwest Arkansas
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed.D, Assistant Commissioner
Description:
On June 18, 2026, representatives of the School for Advanced Studies—Northwest Arkansas (Benton County) appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel to amend their existing charter to remove BASIS Charter Schools, Inc. as the sole member of Arkansas Schools for Advanced Studies, Inc., transitioning to a fully independent Arkansas nonprofit corporation governed by a locally focused board.

Following discussion and questions from CAP members, a motion was made to approve the amendment request.

Motion: Ms. Edie Stewart
Second: Ms. Toyce Newton
Vote: Passed unanimously
Attachments:
Subject:
IX.3.b. District Conversion Charter Application for the Sheridan Jacket Academy
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed.D, Assistant Commissioner
Description:
On June 18, 2026, representatives of the Sheridan School District presented their proposal for a District Conversion Charter for the Sheridan Jacket Academy to the Charter Authorizing Panel.

Following discussion and questions from CAP members, a motion was made to approve the application and issue a five-year charter contract, effective through June 30, 2031.

Motion: Dr. John Bacon
Second: Ms. Edie Stewart
Vote: Passed unanimously
Attachments:
Subject:
IX.3.c. Renewal of Existing Charters
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed.D, Assistant Commissioner
Subject:
IX.3.c.1) Arkansas Virtual Academy Schools
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed.D, Assistant Commissioner
Description:
On June 18, 2026, the Charter Authorizing Panel recommended renewal of the charter for Arkansas Virtual Academy—Elementary School, Arkansas Virtual Academy—Middle School, and Arkansas Virtual Academy--High School for a period of five years, through June 30, 2031, with the following conditions:
  • Participation in quarterly Charter School Unit check-ins to monitor implementation and progress; and
  • Administration of the ATLAS Interim Assessment to support consistent data analysis and timely accountability reporting.
Motion: Ms. Toyce Newton
Second: Dr. John Bacon
Vote: Passed unanimously
 
Attachments:
Subject:
IX.3.c.2) Graduate Arkansas
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed.D, Assistant Commissioner
Description:
On June 18, 2026, the Charter Authorizing Panel recommended renewal of the charter for this Open Enrollment charter school located in Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas for a period of five years, through June 30 2031, with conditions: 
  • Participation in quarterly Charter School Unit check-ins to monitor implementation and progress; and
  • Administration of the ATLAS Interim Assessment to support consistent data analysis and timely accountability reporting.
Motion: Ms. Toyce Newton
Second: Dr. John Bacon
Vote: Passed unanimously
Attachments:
Subject:
IX.3.c.3) Imboden Area Charter School
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed.D, Assistant Commissioner
Description:
On June 18, 2026, the Charter Authorizing Panel recommended renewal of the charter for this Open Enrollment charter school located in Black Rock, Lawrence County, Arkansas with the following conditions:
  • Issuance of a Notice of Performance Deficiency;
  • Extension of the charter on a probationary or conditional basis with monthly monitoring and targeted support by the Charter School Unit and ASPRC; and
  • A formal renewal hearing before the Charter Authorizing Panel in January 2027 to make a final determination regarding renewal.
Motion: Mr. Phillip Baldwin
Second: Ms. Toyce Newton
Vote: Passed unanimously
Attachments:
Subject:
X. Reports 
Subject:
X.1. Board Liaison Reports 
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
Subject:
X.2. ATOY Report 
Presenter:
Stephanie Williams
Attachments:
Subject:
X.3. Commissioner's Report 
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
Subject:
X.3.a. 2026 ATLAS Performance Overview
Subject:
X.3.b. 2026 Teacher Merit Pay
Presenter:
Dr. Brandie Benton
Subject:
XI. Public Comments
Subject:
XII. Adjournment
 

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