December 12, 2019 at 10:00 AM - State Board of Education

Description:  The applicant data from this information is used to compile the Applicant Flow Chart forms for the Affirmative Action Report, which demonstrates the composition of applicants through the selecting, hiring, promoting and terminating process.  The information is needed to measure the effectiveness of the agency's recruitment, hiring and promotion efforts and is in conformity with federal government guidelines, which require the agency to compile statistical information about applicants for employment. 

Description:  The members of the Arkansas State Board of Education are requested to review the following:
Commercial Bond Applications– 3 Second Lien and 13 Voted
With the recommendation to approve all applications from the Loan Committee and additional information provided by the school district in its application package and:·       

Pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated § 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.

Description:  Arkansas Code Annotated §6-17-309 requires local school districts to secure a waiver when classrooms are staffed with unlicensed teachers for longer than 30 days. Requests were received from 41 school districts covering a total of 58 waivers. There were also requests for long-term substitutes from 60 school districts, educational service cooperatives, and behavioral facilities requesting a total of 112 waivers for long-term substitutes. These requests have been reviewed, were either approved or denied by Division staff, and are consistent with program guidelines. 

Description:  Ms. Kira Geer is a preservice teacher and subject to the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators. The Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators provides that an Educator may object to the Ethics Hearing Subcommittee’s written findings and recommendations. The Educator’s objection triggers a full review by the State Board. Educator’s attorney and attorney of the PLSB agree that the case should be dismissed

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 obligation associated with professional practices. Violation of Standard 4. An educator entrusted with public funds and property, including school sponsored activity funds, honors that trust with honest, responsible stewardship. Violation of Standard 5. An educator maintains integrity regarding the acceptance of any gratuity, gift, compensation or favor that might impair or appear to influence professional decisions or actions and shall refrain from using the educator’s position for personal gain.  The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a One-Year (1) Suspension; assess a $500.00 fine to be paid within thirty (30) days of the suspension end date; required to complete training through the ArkansasIDEAS online portal taking Course ERC19048: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018); Title: QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability at Work and in Life (160 p.); Author: John G. Miller; ISBN 10: 0399152334; ISBN 13:  978-0399152337; Tier 1 & Tier 2 Financial Training that is available through AAEA.org, Arkansas Association of Educator Administrators; Educator will provide written reflections stating how each of these trainings and books will impact educator’s professional practices. To be completed within 30 days prior to the end of the suspension.  (All costs paid by Educator Cloyes). Accepted 9/26/19

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 Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a Permanent Revocation of License or Non-Renewal by State Board of Education, and assess a fine of $500.00. (All cost paid by Educator Rogers).

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 Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a Two-Year (2) Probation; assess a $250.00 fine to be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order; required to complete through the ArkansasIDEAS online portal taking Course ERC19048: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018); Taking Charge of Anger, Second Edition: Six Steps to Asserting Yourself without Losing Control (289p); Author: W. Robert Nay, PhD.; ISBN 10: 1462502423; ISBN 13: 978-1462502424; SPB14008 Behavior is Communication; PIA14006 Guiding Children Successfully, Episode 1: Effective Motivation for Children; Educator will provide written reflections stating how each of these trainings and books will influence educator’s interactions with students. To be completed within (90) days of the State Board Final Order. (All costs paid by Educator Carter).  Accepted 10/18/19

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 7. An educator maintains the confidentiality of information about students and colleagues obtained in the course of the educator’s professional services that is protected under state law or regulations, federal law or regulations, or written policies of the educator’s school district, unless disclosure serves a professional purpose as allowed or required by law or regulations. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a Written Reprimand; assess a $100.00 fine to be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order; required to complete through the ArkansasIDEAS online portal taking Course ERC19048: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018); The Growth Mindset Playbook: A Teacher’s Guide to Promoting Student Success (224 p.); Author: Annie Brock, Heather Hundley; ISBN 10: 1612436870; ISBN 13: 978-1612436876; FERPA 101: For Local Education Agencies; https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/training/ferpa-101-local-education-agencies; Educator will provide written reflections stating how each of these trainings and books will affect her practices in the classroom and interactions with students. To be completed within (90) days of the State Board Final Order. (All costs paid by Educator Lloyd).  

Description:  Violation of Standard 6.  An educator keeps in confidence secure standardized test materials and results, and maintains integrity regarding test administration procedures.  The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a Written Reprimand; assess a $100.00 fine to be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order; required to complete through the ArkansasIDEAS online portal taking Course ERC19048: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018); ADE In-House Testing Security Training; Educator will provide written reflections stating how each of these trainings and books will affect her practices in the classroom. To be completed within (90) days of the State Board Final Order. (All costs paid by Educator Keovanpheng). Accepted  11/5/19 

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 Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a Written Reprimand; assess a $100.00 fine to be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order; required to complete through the ArkansasIDEAS online portal taking Course ERC19048: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018); Addressing Appropriate and Inappropriate Teacher-Student Relationships:  A Secondary Education Professional Development Model; Author: Ernest J. Zarra, III, Kern High School District; Publication: CLEARvoz Journal Vol. 3, No. 2 (2016); http://journals.sfu.ca/cvj/index.php/cvj/article/viewFile/26/29; Educator will provide written reflections stating how each of these trainings and books will affect her interactions with students and the boundaries that exist in the school setting. To be completed within (90) days of the State Board Final Order. (All costs paid by Educator Smith).  

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. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a One-Year (1) Probation; assess a $200.00 fine to be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order; required to complete training through the ArkansasIDEAS online portal taking Course SPC17010 Foundations in Special Education: Roles and Responsibilities; The 85% Solution:  How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success No Nonsense, No Excuses (256 p.); Author:  Linda Galindo; ISBN 13:  9780470500163; Educator will provide written reflections stating how each of these trainings and books will affect her practices and responsibilities. To be completed within (90) days of the State Board Final Order. (All costs paid by Educator Jackson).  Accepted 10/7/19.

Description:  Per Act 648 of 1993, Community Service Learning, community-based organizations may apply to their
local school board for approval to work with school districts as a community service site provider.  These site applications are presented to the State Board of Education (SBE) for approval twice a year, July/August and December/January. The attached 69 sites have sent in application for SBE approval. 

Description:  2019 Arkansas History Teacher of the Year Award:
Award winner: Jessica Brown, Parkers Chapel High School

Description:  Four Arkansas teachers were recently selected as 2019 state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching: 

Carrie Beach, Science State Finalist 
Bentonville School District, Washington Junior High

Mary Hatch, Science State Finalist 
Harrison School District, Harrison Middle School

Kara Lenfestey, Mathematics State Finalist
Episcopal Collegiate

Melodie Murray, Mathematics State Finalist
Pocahontas School District, Pocahontas High School

Two Arkansas teachers were recently selected as the 2017 national awardees for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching: 

Corey Boby, Mathematics National Awardee 
Benton School District, Benton High School

Tiffany Taylor, Science National Awardee
Rogers School District, Rogers Heritage High School

Two Arkansas teachers were recently selected as the 2018 national awardees for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching: 

Anna Shaw, Mathematics National Awardee
Springdale School District, J.O. Kelly Middle School

Cheri DeSoto, Science National Awardee
Fayetteville School District, Holt Middle School

Description:  Ms. Miller holds a teaching license issued by the State Board.  The Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators provides that an educator may object to the Ethics Hearing Subcommittee’s written findings and recommendations.  The educator’s objection triggers a full review by the State Board.  Ms. Miller is represented by attorney Jeff Rosenzweig. 

Description:  Ms. Ruley holds a teacher’s license issued by the State Board.  The Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators provides that the State Board may remove a PLSB recommendation from the consent agenda for further review.  Ms. Ruley’s case was removed from the September consent agenda and placed on the October action agenda. The Board motioned for a hearing at the October State Board meeting.  Ms. Ruley is represented by attorney Mr. Casey Copeland. 

Description:  Mr. Anthony holds a teacher’s license issued by the State Board.  The Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators provides that the State Board may remove a PLSB recommendation from the consent agenda for further review. The review will be placed on the action agenda for its next available regularly scheduled monthly board meeting.  Mr Anthony’s case was removed from the November consent agenda and placed on the December action agenda. 

Description:  Ms. Dunnigan holds a teacher’s license issued by the State Board.  The Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators provides that the State Board may remove a PLSB recommendation from the consent agenda for further review. The review will be placed on the action agenda for its next available regularly scheduled monthly board meeting.  Ms. Dunnigan’s case was removed from the November consent agenda and placed on the December action agenda. 

Description:  Under Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-422 members of the PLSB serve rotating terms, and are appointed by the State Board from nominations made by professional education associations. Luanne Baroni, Assistant Superintendent and Director of Communications at Lisa Academy Public Charter Schools, has been nominated by the Arkansas Public School Resource Center to fill the position vacated by Scott Shirey representing their membership, open-enrollment charter schools, and non-licensed educators. The term of this member is to begin immediately upon appointment and end on June 30, 2020. 

Description:  Based on the need for special education teachers with content expertise, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is proposing to add a route for teachers in an Alternative Preparation Program to be provisionally licensed in the dual areas of Special Education Resource and a content area.

Description:  The 10 proposed grades 11-12 English Language Arts (ELA) Courses are designed to provide a student with an opportunity to focus on his or her college and career interest in ELA during grade 11 and grade 12 English. There are three Areas of Focus:  Literature, Communications, Technical Professions.  Each course will count as 0.5 credit and will be offered in addition to the current grade 11 and grade 12 ELA courses.

Description:  The Strong-Huttig School District had fewer than 350 students in the two years immediately preceding the current school year.  Consequently, Ark. Code Ann. § 6-13-1603 requires the District to be consolidated with or annexed to another school district unless the State Board grants the District's petition for a minimum school district size waiver pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-13-1613.  The State Board shall grant the petition for waiver if the several factors set forth in § 6-13-1613 are met.

Description:  On November 19, 2019, representatives of Bauxite Miner Academy appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting an amendment to their charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the decision made by the Panel was submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's determination at the State Board's next meeting.

Description:  On November 19, 2019, representatives of Mountainburg Middle School Brain Academy appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting an application for a district conversion charter school.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the decision made by the Panel was submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's determination at the State Board's next meeting.

Description:  On November 19, 2019, representatives of Fayetteville Virtual Academy appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting an amendment to their charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the decision made by the Panel was submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's determination at the State Board's next meeting.

Description:  According to Arkansas Code Annotated 6-15-103, a school district can petition the State Board of Education for waivers granted to an Open-Enrollment Public Charter School.  

Description:  According to Arkansas Code Annotated 6-15-103, a school district can petition the State Board of Education for all or some of the waivers granted to an Open-Enrollment Public Charter School.  Representatives of the Jackson County School District are appearing before the Board with a petition of waivers.

Description:  According to Arkansas Code Annotated 6-15-103, a school district can petition the State Board of Education for all or some of the waivers granted to an Open-Enrollment Public Charter School.  Representatives of the Jackson County School District are appearing before the Board with a petition of waivers.

Description:  Bauxite School District is requesting a One Year Standards for Accreditation waiver for art and music classes at Pine Haven Elementary.  

Description:  These rules have been reviewed by the Governor and a public comment period was held. No substantive changes were made as a result of received public comments.

Description:  The Board released these Rules for public comment, pending Governor review, on September 13, 2019. They were reviewed by the Governor and a public comment hearing was held. No substantive changes were made as a result of received public comments. DESE staff respectfully requests final approval.

Description:  Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-13-112 & 6-15-2917, a quarterly status report is provided for each school district currently under state authority. 

Description:  Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-13-112 & 6-15-2917, a quarterly status report is provided for each school district currently under state authority.

Description:  Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-13-112 & 6-15-2917, a quarterly status report is provided for each school district currently under state authority. 

Description:  Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-13-112 & 6-15-2917, a quarterly status report is provided for each school district currently under state authority. 

Description:  Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-13-112 & 6-15-2917, a quarterly status report is provided for each school district currently under state authority. 

Description:  Continued discussion of return to LRSD to local control