July 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM - State Board of Education
Agenda |
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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. Recognition
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
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III.1. Dallas Cathey, Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind
Description:
On May 9, 2025, Dallas Cathey, a student at the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind, served as a guest broadcaster for the Little Rock Trojans baseball team, taking a step toward his dream of career in sports broadcasting. Blind since birth, Cathey experiences baseball through sound, and on May 9, he introduced Trojan batters, sharing their statistics and hometowns. UALR baseball coach Chris Curry and play-by-play announcer Max Coltrane praised Cathey's baseball knowledge and work in the broadcast booth.
Mr. Cathey, a lifelong baseball enthusiast from Warren, will introduce board members and the 2025-2026 State Board of Education officers. |
III.2. Director Rachel Parker, Ferncliff Nature Preschool
Description:
Rachel Parker is the director of the Ferncliff Nature Preschool, the first preschool of its kind in Arkansas. Preschoolers spend about 80% of their time at school outside, learning through activities that include taking nature walks, interacting with farm animals, creating natural structures, and using natural materials to create works of art.
Director Parker was named 2024 Arkansas Environmental Education Association (AEEA) Outstanding Formal Environmental Educator and was featured in AEEA news article dated December 17, 2024. |
IV. Changes to Agenda
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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V. Action Agenda
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V.1. Consideration of Rules Governing Student Discipline to be Released for Public Comment
Presenter:
Courtney Salas-Ford, Chief of Staff
Description:
The DESE Rule Governing Student Discipline is presented for approval to be released for public comment.
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V.2. Consideration of Rules Governing the Public School Rating System on Annual School Performance Reports and the School Recognition Program for Final Approval
Presenter:
Courtney Salas-Ford, Chief of Staff
Description:
The Rules Governing the Public School Rating System on Annual School Performance Reports and the School Recognition Program were approved to be released for public comment by the State Board of Education on May 22, 2025. The public comment period began on May 11, 2024, and ended on June 10, 2025. The Division requests the State Board of Education's final approval of the rule.
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V.3. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-098 - Diamani Davis
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
The educator objected to the Ethics Hearing Subcommittee's evidentiary hearing findings and recommendation of April 23, 2025, and requested a review by the State Board.
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VI. New Business
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VII. Consent Agenda
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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VII.1. Minutes
Presenter:
Angela Scaife
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VII.2. Review of Loan and Bond Applications
Presenter:
Greg Rogers
Description:
The members of the Arkansas State Board of Education are requested to review the following:
Commercial Bond Applications - 6-Second Lien 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 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.
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VII.3. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-114 Robin Harris
Presenter:
Whitney James
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. Violation of Standard 3. An educator honestly fulfills reporting obligations associated with professional practices. Violation of Standard 6. An educator keeps in confidence secure standardized test materials and results and maintains integrity regarding test administration procedures. 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 the 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 requests the State Board of Education order a Permanent Revocation of License and assess a fine of $500. |
VII.4. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-180 Lauren Telford
Presenter:
Whitney James
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. Violation of Standard 8. An educator, while on school premises or at school-sponsored activities involving students, refrains from: a) using, possessing and/or being under the influence of alcohol or unauthorized drugs/substances, and/or possessing items prohibited by law, or b) possessing or using tobacco or tobacco-related products, e-cigarettes, e-liquid, or vapor products, or c) abusing/misusing prescription medications or other authorized substances as evidenced by impairment. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Suspension of License for 1 year followed by a Probation of License for 1 year and assess a fine of $500. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23005: Code of Ethics Part Two: Mental Health Awareness (.5 Credit Hour), ERC23010: Code of Ethics Part Seven: An Educator’s Influence (1 Credit Hour), and Title: The 85% Solution: How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success -- No Nonsense, No Excuses (256p) Author: Linda Galindo ISBN 13: 9780470500163. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on each book/training on how they will impact the educator in her interactions with students and professional practices in the future. A letter stating the educator is fit for the classroom submitted by a licensed mental healthcare professional 30 days prior to the end of suspension for suspension removal. Quarterly updates of the educator’s recovery throughout the suspension and probation. (All costs paid by Educator Telford) |
VII.5. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-179 Angela Dunkum
Presenter:
Whitney James
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. Violation of Standard 8. An educator, while on school premises or at school-sponsored activities involving students, refrains from: a) using, possessing and/or being under the influence of alcohol or unauthorized drugs/substances, and/or possessing items prohibited by law, or b) possessing or using tobacco or tobacco-related products, e-cigarettes, e-liquid, or vapor products, or c) abusing/misusing prescription medications or other authorized substances as evidenced by impairment. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Suspension of License for 1 year followed by a Probation of License for 1 year and assess a fine of $500. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23005: Code of Ethics Part Two: Mental Health Awareness (.5 Credit Hour), |
VII.6. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-173 Robin Campbell
Presenter:
Whitney James
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 requests the State Board of Education order a Level 1 Public Notification of Ethics Violation and assess a fine of $100. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: All available Code of Ethics modules on Arkansas IDEAS, Title: Classroom Management Success in 7 days or less: The Ultra-Effective Classroom Management System for Teachers (77p) Author: Rob Plevin ISBN-10: 1522001468, and Title: Classroom Management for Elementary Teachers: 15 Strategies to Manage Challenging Behaviors and Create a Responsive Classroom Author: Freya Fan ISBN-13:979-8461993252. Require educator to prepare written reflection on each book/training regarding how they will impact her interactions with students in the future. (All costs paid by Educator Campbell) |
VII.7. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-184 Bobby Applegate
Presenter:
Whitney James
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 obligations 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 acceptance of any gratuity, gifts, 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 requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 1 year and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: Training by AAEA: SF102 - School Expenditures, SM101 - School Business Management Ethics and Audit Compliance, and SM102 - Internal Controls, and ERC23012: Code of Ethics Part Nine: Professional Responsibilities II (1 Credit Hour). Written reflection on each training regarding how they will impact the administrator’s professional responsibilities in the future. (All costs paid by Educator Applegate) |
VII.8. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-183 Amanda Holiman
Presenter:
Whitney James
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 requests the State Board of Education order a Permanent Revocation of License and assess a fine of $500. |
VII.9. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-185 Sheryl Alexander
Presenter:
Whitney James
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 obligations associated with professional practices. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 6 months and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23007: Code of Ethics Part Four: Professional Responsibilities (1 Credit Hour) and Tier II training. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on each training regarding how they will impact the educator’s professional responsibilities in the future. (All costs paid by Educator Alexander) |
VII.10. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-172 Sarah Faldon
Presenter:
Whitney James
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 requests the State Board of Education order a Written Reprimand and assess a fine of $100. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23010: Code of Ethics Part Seven: An Educator’s Influence (1 Credit Hour) and Title: Positive Discipline: The Classic Guide to Helping Children Develop Self-Discipline, Responsibility, Cooperation, and Problem-Solving Skills (384p) Author: Jane Nelsen Ed. D. ISBN 10: 0345487672. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on each book/training on how they will impact the educator’s interactions with students in the future. (All costs paid by Educator Faldon) |
VII.11. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-175 Nicholas Garrett
Presenter:
Whitney James
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 obligations associated with professional practices. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Written Reprimand and assess a fine of $100. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23007: Code of Ethics Part Four: Professional Responsibilities (1 Credit Hour), NASDTEC: Prevention and Correction: Overview https://www.nasdtec.net/page/CPCourse, and Mandated Reporter: Requirements in Arkansas (1.5 Credit Hours) https://ar.mandatedreporter.org/UserAuth/Login!loginPage.action. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on each training regarding how they will impact the educator’s professional responsibilities with reporting in the future. (All costs paid by Educator Garrett) |
VII.12. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-191 Donnie Willis
Presenter:
Whitney James
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 obligations associated with professional practices. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 6 months and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23008: Code of Ethics Part Five: Reporting Obligations (.5 Credit Hour), ERC23012: Code of Ethics Part Nine: Professional Responsibilities II (1 Credit Hour), and Mandated Reporter: Requirements in Arkansas (1.5 Credit Hours) https://ar.mandatedreporter.org/UserAuth/Login!loginPage.action. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on each training on how they will impact the administrator’s professional obligations in the future. (All costs paid by Educator Willis) |
VII.13. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-187 Dr. Tiffany Hardrick
Presenter:
Whitney James
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 obligations associated with professional practices. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 6 months and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23008: Code of Ethics Part Five: Reporting Obligations (.5 Credit Hour), ERC23012: Code of Ethics Part Nine: Professional Responsibilities II (1 Credit Hour), and Mandated Reporter: Requirements in Arkansas (1.5 Credit Hours) https://ar.mandatedreporter.org/UserAuth/Login!loginPage.action. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on each training on how they will impact the administrator’s professional obligations in the future. (All costs paid by Educator Hardrick) |
VII.14. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-129 Melissa Zoll
Presenter:
Whitney James
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 requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 2 years and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: Anger Management course (as evidenced by completion certificate), Title: The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence (208p) Author: Dacher Keltner ISBN 10: 0143110292, and Title: The 85% Solution: How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success -- No Nonsense, No Excuses (256p) Author: Linda Galindo ISBN 13: 9780470500163. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on each book/training on how they will impact the educator’s interaction with students in the future. Quarterly reports while on probation from the educator’s supervisor regarding how her interactions and communication with students are progressing. (All costs paid by Educator Zoll) |
VII.15. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-094 Thomas Michael Stacks
Presenter:
Whitney James
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 requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 3 months. Require Educator to provide proof that the educator has requested training on bullying by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by August 1, 2025. |
VII.16. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-104 Madison Harned
Presenter:
Whitney James
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 requests the State Board of Education order a Permanent Revocation of License and assess a fine of $500. |
VII.17. Charter Amendment Request by the Academies of Math and Sciences (AMS)
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed.D. Assistant Commissioner
Description:
The Academies of Math and Sciences (AMS) requested an increase in its enrollment cap from 600 students to 750 students beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. The Charter Authorizing Panel (CAP) approved the request in a unanimous (4-0) vote at its meeting on June 19, 2025.
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VIII. Reports
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VIII.1. Board Liaison Reports
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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VIII.2. ATOY Report
Presenter:
Jeanie Wilcoxon
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VIII.3. Commissioner's Report
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
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IX. Public Comments
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X. Adjournment
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