Marti Jo Hall

Interim Director of Communications

Arkansas Public School Resource Center

501-492-4300 | mhall@apsrc.net

Arkansas State Board of Education's April Meeting: Important Updates and Decisions

LITTLE ROCK, AR - On Thursday, April 10th, 2025, 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. Ashdown Waiver Request of Standard 4-B.1 - Hope Worsham, Assistant Commissioner

The board approved the waiver request for Standard 4-B.1 from Ashdown School District, allowing the district to navigate the transitional period until the new superintendent begins in July. Ms. Debbie Greathouse, the District Federal Programs Coordinator, will serve as interim superintendent.

V. Action Agenda 

V.1. Consideration for Approval of the Office of Early Childhood Professional Service Grants for FY26

The board motioned to approve the Office of Early Childhood’s Professional Service Grants for Fiscal Year 2026, including the Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) Professional Service Grants in the amount of $4,723,763.00 and the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDF) Professional Service Contracts in the amount of $12,206,155.27, for a total allocation of $16,929,918.27.

V.2. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case No. 24-051 - Dr. Nancy Anderson

Approval of a 30-day suspension of Nancy Anderson’s license to be served June 1–30, 2025, followed by probation through June 30, 2027, along with completion of specified professional development and written reflections, as partially recommended by the Professional Licensure Standards Board.

V.3. Election of 2025-2026 State Board Officers

Approval of the election of Adrienne Woods as Chair and Lisa Hunter as Vice Chair of the State Board of Education for the 2025–2026 term, as recommended by the Nominating Committee.

VII. Consent Agenda

The Board approved the consent agenda, with the exception of Item 7.4 (PLSB case involving Danny Mars), which was pulled for further review and scheduled for a future hearing.

Items included:

VII.1. Minutes 

Review and approval of the draft minutes from the March 13, 2025, State Board of Education regular meeting, presented by Angela Scaife.

VII.2. Report on Waivers to School Districts for Teachers Teaching Out of Area for Longer than sixty (60) Days, Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-309

Review of waivers granted to districts for teachers staffing classrooms beyond 60 days without proper licensure, as required by Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-309, presented by Karli Saracini, Assistant Commissioner of Educator Effectiveness.

VII.3. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-024 - Cynthia Russenberger

Recommendation for a 6-month license suspension, 2-year probation, $300 fine, and required coursework and documentation due to violations of professional conduct standards.

VII.4. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-121 - Danny R. Marrs Jr.

Originally recommended for 2-year probation, $250 fine, and required training due to ethical violations; item was pulled for further review.

VII.5. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-090 - Cheryl Wilson

Recommendation for a written reprimand, $100 fine, and completion of ethics and classroom management training due to violations of educator standards.

VII.6. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-089 - Dylan Richmond

Recommendation for permanent license revocation and a $500 fine due to violations involving student relationships and professional competence.

VII.7. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-122 - Christopher Strode

Recommendation for permanent license revocation and a $500 fine for violations related to student relationships, professional competence, and mishandling public funds.

VII.8. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-151- Chad Mansfield

Recommendation for permanent license revocation and a $500 fine for violations of educator standards concerning student relationships and professionalism.

VII.9. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-100 - Jon Sallings

Recommendation for permanent license revocation and a $500 fine due to violations of professional conduct regarding student relationships and competence.

VII.10. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-111 - Milissa Pennington

Recommendation for 1-year probation, $250 fine, mandatory ethics and classroom management training, and written reflections with supervisory reports due to educator standards violations.

VIII. Reports 

VIII.1. Board Liaison Reports - Dr. Sarah Moore

Dr. Sarah Moore, SBE Chair, opened the reports section by inviting board members to share updates. No formal liaison reports were given at this time.

VIII.2. ATOY Report - Beau McCastlain

Beau McCastlain, Arkansas Teacher of the Year 2024, shared highlights from his recent travels, including a visit to Rogers New Technology High School, where he was impressed by the student-led learning culture. He also toured Rogers Heritage High School’s expanded CTE facility, which offers diverse hands-on programs. Beau attended the FFA Career Development Event at the University of Arkansas and visited Bryant for the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association conference, where storms cut the event short. He also celebrated a milestone at Caddo Hills High School, where a student began an internship with Mount Ida Machinery, leading to a job after graduation. Lastly, Beau shared an update on his work with the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, where he connected with leaders like the Clintons and began a new partnership between De Queen High School and Sevier County Medical Center for student internships.

VIII.3. Commissioner's Report - Secretary Jacob Oliva

Secretary Jacob Oliva kept his comments brief, noting that the board would reconvene for a work session on accountability and standard setting following a short recess. He confirmed lunch was available and proposed the board return at 1:00 PM to resume discussions.

Board Member Remarks and Discussion



Prior to adjournment, board members raised concerns regarding the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators (AAEA), specifically questioning the organization’s guidance to superintendents, its influence on training programs, and potential conflicts of interest involving dual employment with state-funded educational co-ops. A request was renewed for an official explanation and review of these arrangements.

As part of its regular schedule, the State Board generally convenes on the second Thursday 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.

State Board of Education, April 10th, 2025

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