July 9, 2026 at 9:00 AM - State Board of Education
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I. Call to Order
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
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II. Moment of Silence
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
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III. Pledge of Allegiance
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
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IV. National Anthem
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V. Recognition
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
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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:
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VI. Changes to Agenda
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
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VII. Action Agenda
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VII.1. Consideration of Request(s) for Final Approval of Rules
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VII.1.a. Request for Final Approval of the Rules Governing Public School Policies Relating to Overnight Travel and Use of Public School Lavatories
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:
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VII.1.b. Request for Final Approval of the Rules Governing the Course Choice Program
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:
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VII.1.c. Request for Final Approval of the Rules Governing Consolidation and Annexation of School Districts
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:
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VII.2. Appeal(s) of the Denial of a School Choice Application
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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: Whitehall School District
Residents in: Pine Bluff School District
Reason given for denial: Lack of capacity
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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).
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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.
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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.
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VIII. New Business
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IX. Consent Agenda
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
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IX.1. Minutes
Presenter:
Angela Scaife
Attachments:
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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:
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IX.3. Recommendations from the Charter Authorizing Panel
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed.D, Assistant Commissioner
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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:
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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:
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IX.3.c. Renewal of Existing Charters
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed.D, Assistant Commissioner
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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:
Second: Dr. John Bacon Vote: Passed unanimously
Attachments:
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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:
Second: Dr. John Bacon Vote: Passed unanimously
Attachments:
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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:
Second: Ms. Toyce Newton Vote: Passed unanimously
Attachments:
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X. Reports
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X.1. Board Liaison Reports
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
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X.3. Commissioner's Report
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
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X.3.a. 2026 ATLAS Performance Overview
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X.3.b. 2026 Teacher Merit Pay
Presenter:
Dr. Brandie Benton
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XI. Public Comments
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XII. Adjournment
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