December 11, 2025 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. National Anthem
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
Description:
Students from the Pea Ridge School District will provide holiday music in the foyer before the meeting begins and will then sing and sign the National Anthem during the meeting.
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V. Recognition
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
Description:
In September 2025, the following five Arkansas students were named U.S. Presidential Scholars:
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VI. Changes to Agenda
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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VII. Action Agenda
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VII.1. Review of District Strategic Plans for School Districts that Received a "F" Letter Grade
Presenter:
Stacy Smith
Description:
Arkansas Code 6-15-2108 was amended by the AR ACCESS Act (Act 340 of 2025) to require the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a formula to determine a letter grade for public school districts. Each of the six school districts listed below received a letter grade of "F" for the 2024-2025 school year. Arkansas Code 6-15-2919 requires each public school district to develop a district strategic plan, which shall include without limitation the support the school district will provide to public schools within the district.
Representatives from each school district will appear to present their district strategic plan, specifically the actions proposed to increase academic outcomes, and submit a signed Statement of Assurance.
Attachments:
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VII.1.a. Watson Chapel School District
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VII.1.b. North Little Rock School District
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VII.1.c. Pine Bluff School District
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VII.1.d. Lafayette County School District
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VII.1.e. Crossett School District
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VII.1.f. Fordyce School District
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VII.2. 2026 State Board of Education Meeting Dates
Presenter:
Courtney Salas-Ford, Chief of Staff
Description:
Ark. Code Ann. § 6-11-104(b) states, "In any of its meetings before the end of the calendar year, the state board shall determine the meeting dates for the following year."
This item originally appeared on the Action Agenda for the October 9 State Board of Education Meeting. It was returned to the November 13 Action Agenda because three of the 2026 dates on the October 9 agenda, the July, September, and December meeting dates, were not second Thursdays of the month, and the board has met on every second Thursday for several years. At its meeting on November 13, the State Board of Education tabled its discussion of the meeting dates. The following dates are second Thursdays of each month in 2026:
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VIII. New Business
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IX. Consent Agenda
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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IX.1. Minutes
Presenter:
Angela Scaife
Attachments:
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IX.2. Applications for Charters
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Assistant Commissioner
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IX.2.a. Arkansas Outdoor Academy - Open-Enrollment Charter Application
Description:
On November 20, 2025, representatives of the Arkansas Outdoor Academy provided a presentation to the Charter Authorizing Panel about the proposed open-enrollment charter for grades 6-8.
Questions and answers followed. It was moved by Phil Baldwin to approve the charter, provided representatives of the charter return in February 2026 to provide additional financial details and update the panel on preparations for opening in fall 2026. Edie Stewart seconded Mr. Baldwin’s motion, and it passed unanimously.
Attachments:
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IX.2.b. Titan Learning Academy - District Conversion Charter
Description:
On November 20, 2025, representatives of the Jacksonville North Pulaski County School District provided a presentation to the Charter Authorizing Panel about the Titan Leaning Academy, the proposed district conversion charter for grades 6-12. Jacksonville North Pulaski Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Owoh withdrew the two waiver requests pertaining to attendance.
Questions and answers followed. It was moved by John Bacon and seconded by Tina Moore, to approve the charter application. The motion passed unanimously.
Attachments:
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IX.3. Charter Amendment Requests
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Assistant Commissioner
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IX.3.a. LISA Academy Amendment Requests
Description:
On November 20, 2025, representatives from LISA Academy provided a presentation to the Charter Authorizing Panel about proposed amendment requests to do the following:
It was moved by Tina Moore and seconded by Crystal Beshears-Duncan to approve the LISA Academy amendment requests. The motion passed unanimously.
Attachments:
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IX.3.b. KIPP Amendment Requests
Description:
On November 20, 2025, representatives from KIPP provided a presentation to the Charter Authorizing Panel about the proposed amendment requests to do the following:
It was moved by Crystal Beshears-Duncan to approve the amendment requests, with the stipulation that the group return with an update in February 2026. Phil Baldwin seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Attachments:
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X. Reports
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X.1. Board Liaison Reports
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
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X.2. ATOY Report
Presenter:
Jeanie Wilcoxon
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X.3. Commissioner's Report
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
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XI. Public Comments
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XII. Adjournment
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