Meeting Agenda
I. Call to Order
II. Moment of Silence 
III. 9/11 Remembrance
III.1. Cabot High School JROTC
III.2. Pledge of Allegiance
III.3. National Anthem
III.4. A Brigadier General Speaks
IV. Spotlight AR250
V. Changes to Agenda
VI. Action Agenda 
VI.1. Education Service Cooperative Annual Reports
VI.2. Update to Arkansas Better Chance Program Renewal Grants 2025-2026 Program Year
VII. Consent Agenda
VII.1. Minutes
VII.2. Review of Loan and Bond Applications
VII.3. Request for the State Board to Approve the Following Accrediting Agency for Participation in the Arkansas Education Freedom Account Program
VII.4. Charter Amendment Requests
VII.4.a. The Academies of Math and Science appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel on August 7, 2025, and requested to do the following:
  • add a K-8 campus in Fort Smith, Arkansas to open in Fall 2026 or Fall 2027,depending on which of two locations is selected;
  • increase the enrollment cap to 1,560, accounting for 810 students in the new school; and
  • maintain all current waivers held by AMS Little Rock for AMS Fort Smith.
The Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously approved these requests.
VII.4.b. Garfield Scholars' Academy appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel on August 7, 2025, and requested to relocate from 17784 Marshall Street, Garfield, AR 72732, to 18432 Marshall Street, Garfield, AR 72732. The address at 18432 Marshall Street, Garfield, AR 72432, is the address submitted on page 8 of the original charter application. 

The Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously approved this request.
VIII. New Business
IX. Reports 
IX.1. Board Liaison Reports 
IX.2. ATOY Report 
IX.3. Commissioner's Report 
IX.3.a. Assessment Update
IX.3.b. The Education Freedom Account Program
X. Public Comments
XI. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: September 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM - State Board of Education
Subject:
I. Call to Order
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
Subject:
II. Moment of Silence 
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
Subject:
III. 9/11 Remembrance
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
Subject:
III.1. Cabot High School JROTC
Presenter:
Major Sean Gipson
Description:
Presentation of the Colors and Team Introductions
Subject:
III.2. Pledge of Allegiance
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
Subject:
III.3. National Anthem
Description:
Cheyenne Caldwell will sing, and Jonas Comer will sign the national anthem. Both Ms. Caldwell and Mr. Comer attend the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind.
Subject:
III.4. A Brigadier General Speaks
Presenter:
Brigadier General Chad Bridges
Description:
Brigadier General Chad Bridges, Arkansas National Guard, will speak on this 24th anniversary of 9/11.
Subject:
IV. Spotlight AR250
Presenter:
Stacy Smith, Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Brandie Benton, Assistant Commissioner and Amber Pirnique, Division of Learning Services
Description:
Assistant Commissioner Dr. Brandie Benton, Educator Effectiveness and Licensure, will share information about AR250.
Subject:
V. Changes to Agenda
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
Subject:
VI. Action Agenda 
Subject:
VI.1. Education Service Cooperative Annual Reports
Presenter:
Stacy Smith, Deputy Commissioner
Description:
Ark. Code Ann. § 6-13-1020(a) requires Education Service Cooperatives to submit an annual report to the State Board of Education and outlines the content that must be included in each report. The first attachment is Ark. Code Ann. § 6-13-1020(a). Following the statute are 15 reports, one from each cooperative.
Attachments:
Subject:
VI.2. Update to Arkansas Better Chance Program Renewal Grants 2025-2026 Program Year
Presenter:
Stacy Smith, Deputy Commissioner
Description:
The Office of Early Childhood requests permission to make the following changes:
  • Trumann School District to receive 10 additional slots (4 returned from another program) for a new total of 100 ABC slots
  • Viola Little Longhorns Preschool to be added as a new agency and receive 20 new ABC slots
New budget for the 2025-2026 ABC year: $105,687,636.00
Attachments:
Subject:
VII. Consent Agenda
Subject:
VII.1. Minutes
Presenter:
Angela Scaife
Attachments:
Subject:
VII.2. Review of Loan and Bond Applications
Presenter:
Greg Rogers, Chief Fiscal Officer
Description:
The members of the State Board of Education are requested to review the following:
Commercial Bond Applications - 5 Voted
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:
VII.3. Request for the State Board to Approve the Following Accrediting Agency for Participation in the Arkansas Education Freedom Account Program
Presenter:
Dr. Darrell Smith, Assistant Commissioner
Description:
ISEI Education Administration
Subject:
VII.4. Charter Amendment Requests
Presenter:
Dr. Darrell Smith, Assistant Commissioner
Subject:
VII.4.a. The Academies of Math and Science appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel on August 7, 2025, and requested to do the following:
  • add a K-8 campus in Fort Smith, Arkansas to open in Fall 2026 or Fall 2027,depending on which of two locations is selected;
  • increase the enrollment cap to 1,560, accounting for 810 students in the new school; and
  • maintain all current waivers held by AMS Little Rock for AMS Fort Smith.
The Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously approved these requests.
Attachments:
Subject:
VII.4.b. Garfield Scholars' Academy appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel on August 7, 2025, and requested to relocate from 17784 Marshall Street, Garfield, AR 72732, to 18432 Marshall Street, Garfield, AR 72732. The address at 18432 Marshall Street, Garfield, AR 72432, is the address submitted on page 8 of the original charter application. 

The Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously approved this request.
Attachments:
Subject:
VIII. New Business
Subject:
IX. Reports 
Subject:
IX.1. Board Liaison Reports 
Presenter:
Adrienne Woods
Subject:
IX.2. ATOY Report 
Presenter:
Jeanie Wilcoxon
Subject:
IX.3. Commissioner's Report 
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
Subject:
IX.3.a. Assessment Update
Presenter:
Hope Worsham, Assistant Commissioner
Subject:
IX.3.b. The Education Freedom Account Program
Presenter:
Dr. Darrell Smith, Assistant Commissioner
Subject:
X. Public Comments
Subject:
XI. Adjournment

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