Katie Fite

Director of Communications

Arkansas Public School Resource Center

501-492-4300 | kfite@apsrc.net

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

LITTLE ROCK, AR - On Thursday, April 11th, 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. District Waiver Requests for 2024-2025 School Start Date 

The board approved requests for waivers for one year of Ark, Code Ann. § 6-10-106 (a)(1)(A) which requires school districts to begin school on or after the Monday of the week in which August 19 falls and no earlier than August 14 or later than August 26 for: 

• Genoa Central School District 
• Spring Hill School District 

V.2. Siloam Springs Waiver Request 

The board approved the Siloam Springs request for a waiver for Standard for Accreditation 1-A.5 Class Size. 

V.3. Smackover-Norphlet Waiver Request 

The board approved The Smackover-Norphlet School District request for a waiver of Standard for Accreditation 4-B.2. 

V.4. Request for Final Approval: DESE Rules Governing the Adult Diploma Program (Emergency Rule) 

The board approved the emergency rule presented for final approval. 

V.5. Request to Release DESE Rules for Public Comment 

V.5.a. DESE Rule Governing the Adult Diploma Program 

The board approved the rule to be released for public comment. 

V.5.b. DESE Rule Governing School Transformation Contracts 

The board approved the rule to be released for public comment. 

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 Sixty (60) Days, Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-309 

VII.3. Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) Reallocation of FY24 Slots 

VII.4. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-141 Terry Farmer 

VII.5. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-058 Dr. Dorothy Walker (Derico) 

VII.6. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-131 Richard Cleven 

VII.7. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-086 Asia Rogers 

VII.8. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-090 Maggie Draper 

VII.9. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-096 Grant Collins 

VII.10. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-093 Tanna Wierman 

VII.11. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-120 Madison Harwell 

VII.12. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-092 Lydia Brooks 

VII.13. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-158 Justin Thomasson 

VII.14. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-115 Carson Moore 

VIII.1. Watson Chapel School District Update 

Sheila Whitlow and Watson Chapel School District Superintendent provided an update. 

VIII.2. Board Liaison Reports  

No reports were provided. 

VIII.3. ATOY Report  

ATOY, Capri Salaam, did not provide a report. 

VIII.4. Commissioner's Report  

Secretary Oliva and Dr. Warden provided an update on LEARNS and career and technical education.  

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.

State Board of Education

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