Katie Fite

Director of Communications

Arkansas Public School Resource Center

501-492-4300 | kfite@apsrc.net

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

LITTLE ROCK, AR - On Thursday, August 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. Public School Waiver Request for the North Little Rock School District

The board approved the North Little Rock School District's request for a waiver of teacher licensure and class size and teaching load for one year. The board did not approve the request for a waiver of flexible scheduling. 

V.2. Request to Release Administrative Rule for Public Comment

Pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, Arkansas Code 25-15-201 et. seq, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Rule Governing Consolidation and Annexation of School Districts is presented for approval to be released for public comment. The board approved releasing the rule for public comment.

V.3. Consideration of Request for Final Approval of Administrative Rules

The board approved the final approval of the following administrative rules.

V.3.a. DESE Rule Governing the Arkansas Educational Support and Accountability Act

V.3.b. DESE Rule Governing Arkansas Governor's School

V.3.c. DESE Rule Governing the Community Service and Diploma Requirements 

V.3.d. DESE Rule Governing Educator Licensure

V.3.e. DESE Rule Governing Public School Policies Relating to Overnight Travel and Use of Public School Lavatories 

V.3.f. DESE Rule Governing the Fiscal Assessment and Accountability Program

V.3.g. DESE Rules Governing Math Intervention

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. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-198 Melissa Strickland

VII.5. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-168 Christopher Williams

VII.6. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-189 Michael Bowman

VII.7. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-254 Frank Kenney

VII.9. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-186 Courtani Bell

VII.10. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-169 Tessa Johnson

VII.11. Consideration of Request for Approval of Nominated Member for the Professional Licensure Standards Board to Replace Member Who Is Vacating Position - Ms. Kamicka Thompson

VII.12. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Charter Authorizing Panel's Decision for Vilonia Pathways Academy Charter School

VII.13. Embedded Courses

The following items were pulled from the Consent Agenda to be added to the September Action Agenda:

VII.4. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-152 Tirrell Brown

VII.8. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-204 Hannah Fulmer

VIII. Reports

Deputy Commissioner Stacy Smith provided brief updates on the following required reports:

VIII.1. Earle School District Quarterly Report

VIII.2. Helena-West Helena School District Quarterly Report

VIII.3. Lee County School District Quarterly Report

VIII.4. Marvell-Elaine School District Quarterly Report

VIII.5. Board Liaison Reports 

An update on the Blytheville School District work session held on August 1, 2024 was provided.

VIII.6. ATOY Report 

ATOY, Beau McCastlain, provided an update.

VIII.7. Commissioner's Report 

Secretary Oliva provided remarks. 

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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