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LITTLE ROCK, AR - On Thursday, November 9th, 2023, the Arkansas State Board of Education convened to address crucial items on the published agenda. The meeting, accessible through this link, featured various agenda items, with input from representatives and public commentators.
As the policy-making body for Arkansas's education system, the State Board of Education diligently considered and acted upon several essential agenda items during the meeting:
V. Action Agenda
V.1. Consideration of One-Year Standards for Accreditation Waiver Requests.
- The board voted to grant the waivers for:
- Malvern School District
- Guy Perkins School District
- Concord School District
- Magnet Cove School District
- Poyen School District
V.2. Consideration of Request for Act 1240 Waivers for the Bauxite School District.
- The board approved the Bauxite School District request for a one-semester waiver to allow two student teachers to teach under mentors.
V.3. Consideration of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Rules Governing Payments Under the Educational Freedom Account Program.
- The board approved the rule to be released for public comment. This rule is to establish a process by which the Department can process payments under the Educational Freedom Account Program for approved participating schools or service providers. An emergency rule was approved by the State Board at its September meeting. This rule is a permanent rule.
V.4. Consideration of Appeal of Legal Transfer under Ark. Code 6-18-316.
- The board approved the parent appeal of a denial of a legal transfer under Arkansas Code 6-18-316 by the Shirley School District. The resident school district is the Shirley School District. The receiving school district is the West Side School District.
VI. Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda. Items included:
VII.2. Report on Waivers to School Districts for Teachers Teaching Out of Area for Longer than Thirty (30) Days, Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-309
VII.3. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-105 Jean Bormann Herald
VII.4. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-006 Jami Eubanks
VII.5. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-115 Rebecca Webb
VII.6. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-119 Alisha Guyton
VII.7. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-157 Stephanie Fritts
VII.8. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-154 Nevada Mills
VII.9. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-001 Kaylee Nelson
VII.10. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-019 Susan Brock
VII.11. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-150 Crystal Tiarks
VII.12. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-057 Labrada Vann
VII.13. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-158 Emily McDowell
VII.14. Consideration of the Charter Authorizing Panel's Decision for Cross County Elementary Technology Academy Amendment Request
VII.15. Consideration of the Charter Authorizing Panel's Decision on Garfield Scholars' Academy New Open Enrollment Charter School Application
VIII. Reports
VIII.1. Watson Chapel School District Update
- An update on the Watson Chapel School District was provided by the district. The State Board requested monthly updates from the Watson Chapel School District on progress made towards correcting Standards for Accreditation violations and other concerns noted by DESE.
VIII.2. ATOY Report
- Arkansas Teacher of the Year, Capri Salaam, provided an update.
VIII.3. Commissioner's Report
- Tonya Williams, Director of the Office of Early Childhood, provided an update on the Office of Early Childhood.
As part of its regular schedule, the State Board convenes on the second Thursday and Friday of each month to address issues impacting the educational landscape. Each meeting aims to consider, vote on, or generate orders related to agenda items.
For more information and to access the agenda and documents for this meeting, please click here.
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