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LITTLE ROCK, AR - On Thursday, February 8th, 2024, 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. One-year Standards for Accreditation Waiver Requests
V.1.a. Alpena Public School District's One Year Standards for Accreditation Request
The board approved the Alpena Public School District request for a one-year Standards for Accreditation waiver of 1-A.5 Class Size for one 6th grade class that is four (4) students over the maximum number of students.
V.2. Consideration of DESE Rule Governing Payments Under the Educational Freedom Account Program
The board approved the rule. This rule was approved for public comment in October. No substantive changes were made to the rule, and it is presented for final approval.
V.3. Consideration of DESE Rule Governing Tutoring Grants
The board approved the rule. This rule was approved for public comment in November. No substantive changes were made to the rule, and it is presented for final approval.
VII. Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda. Items included:
VII.1. Minutes
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 24-097 Jaymie Walker
VII.4. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-041 Mary Susan Stephenson
VII.5. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-049 Deidre Channing
VII.6. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-057 Alexis Rheinhardt
VII.7. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-074 Raychel Miller
VII.8. 2024 State Board of Education Stipends
VIII. Reports
VIII.1. Lee County School District Update
Dr. Michael Stone, Superintendent of Lee County School District provided an update on progress made in the district.
VIII.2. Watson Chapel School District Update
Dee Davis, Assistant Superintendent, and Tom Wilson, Superintendent of Watson Chapel School District, provided an update on progress made towards correcting Standards for Accreditation violations and other concerns noted by DESE.
VIII.3. Board Liaison Reports
SBE member, Jeff Wood, led a discussion.
VIII.4. ATOY Report
ATOY, Capri Salaam, provided a report.
VIII.5. Commissioner's Report
No report was provided.
As part of its regular schedule, the State Board generally 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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