March 13, 2025 at 9:00 PM - State Board of Education
Agenda |
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I. Call to Order
Presenter:
Dr. Sarah Moore
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II. Moment of Silence
Presenter:
Dr. Sarah Moore
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III. Recognition
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
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III.1. Batesville High School Student Kaylee Montgomery Helps Another Runner Cross the Finish Line
Description:
Hoping to achieve her personal best, Batesville High School Senior Kaylee Montgomery stopped in the final stretch of the last race of her high school career to help another runner. Kaylee took the arm of the other runner, who was struggling, and together they crossed the finish line. Kaylee's father caught his daughter's actions on video. A report on this event can be found here.
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IV. Changes to Agenda
Presenter:
Dr. Sarah Moore
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V. Action Agenda
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V.1. Ashdown Waiver Request of Standard 4-B.1
Presenter:
Hope Worsham, Assistant Commissioner
Description:
The Ashdown School District is requesting a waiver of Standard 4-B.1, "Each public school district shall employ a full-time superintendent or charter school executive officer to oversee all operations of the public school district. (D/P)"
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V.2. Heber Springs Waiver Request of Standard 4-F.1 and Ark. Code Ann. § 6-25-104
Presenter:
Hope Worsham, Assistant Commissioner
Description:
Heber Springs School District requests to waive:
Standard 4-F.1 Each public school district shall employ library media specialists that meet the licensure requirements in accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Division or are working under a licensure exception in accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Division. (D/C) Ark. Code Ann. § 6-25-104 (a) (1) Only trained and certified library media services program personnel shall be assigned to carry out duties of the library media specialist. (2) Library media clerks may carry out clerical duties supervised by the library media specialist. (b) Duties that interfere with library media center responsibilities may not be assigned outside the library media center for the library media specialist. (c) Equipment and personnel shall be available for the developmentally appropriate production of a wide range of media for students and faculty.
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V.3. North Little Rock Waiver Requests for Alternate School Calendar
Presenter:
Hope Worsham
Description:
Due to inclement weather in the state, the school district is asking the Board to waive Ark. Code Ann. § 6-10-106(g) to allow a mid-year change from a traditional school calendar of 178 days to an alternative calendar of 1,068 hours.
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V.4. Consideration of Request to Approve the Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) FY26 - Agency Grant Awards
Presenter:
Tonya Williams
Description:
The Office of Early Childhood (OEC) - Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) respectfully requests approval of the Arkansas Better Chance Program Renewal Grants for the 2025-2026 school year in the total amount of $105,277,280.00.
The requested funds for the ABC renewal grants will provide early childhood services for children birth to 5 years old through 225 Agencies serving 22,827 children in both center-based and home-visiting settings. ABC is also requesting to support foster children as well as homeless/displaced children as the need arises. ABC provides waivers for the identified children to receive immediate services. The placement of a foster child and/or displaced child in an ABC program would add a per child award above the total awarded number of slots for that program during the 2025-2026 year.
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VI. New Business
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VII. Consent Agenda
Presenter:
Dr. Sarah Moore
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VII.1. Minutes
Presenter:
Angela Scaife
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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
Presenter:
Karli Saracini
Description:
Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-309 requires local school districts to secure a waiver when classrooms are staffed with unlicensed teachers for longer than 60 days.
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VII.3. Review of Loan and Bond Applications
Presenter:
Greg Rogers
Description:
The members of the Arkansas State Board of Education are requested to review the following:
Commercial Bond Applications - 4 Second Lien and 10 Voted With the recommendation to approve all applications from the Loan Committee and additional information provided by the school district in its application package, and pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-20-1205, concerning school district bonds, a school district shall not sell bonds until the issue is approved by the State Board of Education. Therefore, the State Board of Education, in its discretion and after considering the merits of each application with the loan committee recommendation, may approve a school district bond application for the full amount of the proposed bond issue, approve the application for a lesser amount than requested, or disapprove the application.
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VII.4. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-120 Bradley Quillen
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Permanent Revocation of License and assess a $500.00 fine. |
VII.5. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-003 Janice Reddick
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Suspension of License for 1 year followed by a Probation of License for 2 years and assess a fine of $500. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: Title: Connect with Your Students: How to Build Positive Teacher-Student Relationships Author: Rob Pelvin ISBN-10: 1976797284 and Title: Teaching with Love & Logic: Taking Control of the Classroom Author: Jim Fay ISBN-10: 1942105231. Require Educator to provide written reflection on each book indicating how they will affect educator’s interactions with students in the future. Quarterly reports while on probation from the educator’s supervisor indicating how her interactions with students have improved. (All costs paid by Educator Reddick) |
VII.6. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-044 Rachel Lepper
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Written Reprimand and assess a fine of $100.00. Require educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23005: Code of Ethics Part Two: Mental Health Awareness (.5 Credit Hour) and Title: The 85% Solution: How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success -- No Nonsense, No Excuses (256p) Author: Linda Galindo ISBN 13: 9780470500163. Require educator to prepare written reflections on each training/book regarding how the educator will improve her interactions with students in the future. (All costs paid by Educator Lepper) |
VII.7. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-061 Andrew Ellifrits
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Permanent Revocation of License and assess a $500.00 fine. |
VII.8. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-078 Juan Day
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 1 year and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23004: Code of Ethics Part One: Professional Relationships (.5 Credit Hour), ERC23010: Code of Ethics Part Seven: An Educator’s Influence (1 Credit Hour), ERC23011: Code of Ethics Part Eight: Effective Communication (1 Credit Hour), Title: The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence (208p) Author: Dacher Keltner ISBN 10: 0143110292, and Title: Connect with Your Students: How to Build Positive Teacher-Student Relationships Author: Rob Pelvin ISBN-10: 1976797284. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on each book/training on how they will impact the educator’s future professional practices and interactions with students. Quarterly reports from the educator’s supervisor regarding the educator’s progress on professional practices and interactions with students. (All costs paid by Educator Day) |
VII.9. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-069 Kelly Simon
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 1 year and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23012: Code of Ethics Part Nine: Professional Responsibilities II (1 Credit Hour), ERC23007: Code of Ethics Part Four: Professional Responsibilities (1 Credit Hour), and Title: The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence (208p) Author: Dacher Keltner ISBN 10: 0143110292. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on each training/book regarding how the educator will improve her interactions with students in the future. Quarterly reports from the educator’s supervisor regarding the educator’s progress on professional practices and interactions with students. (All costs paid by Educator Simon) |
VII.10. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-118 Rory Davis
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 1 year and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23004: Code of Ethics Part One: Professional Relationships (.5 Credit Hour), ERC23010: Code of Ethics Part Seven: An Educator’s Influence (1 Credit Hour), ERC23011: Code of Ethics Part Eight: Effective Communication (1 Credit Hour), Title: The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence (208p) Author: Dacher Keltner ISBN 10: 0143110292, and Title: Connect with Your Students: How to Build Positive Teacher-Student Relationships Author: Rob Pelvin ISBN-10: 1976797284. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on each training/book on how they will impact the educator’s future professional practices and interactions with students. Quarterly reports from the educator’s supervisor regarding the educator’s progress on professional practices and interactions with students. (All costs paid by Educator Davis) |
VII.11. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-051 Nancy Anderson
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. Violation of Standard 3. An educator honestly fulfills reporting obligations associated with professional practices. Violation of Standard 4. An educator entrusted with public funds and property, including school sponsored activity funds, honors that trust with honest, responsible stewardship. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 1 year and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: AAEA Training: FP101 Fiscal Planning, FP102 Annual Financial Reporting and Budgets, SF101 School Revenue, SF102 School Expenditures. SM101 School Business Management Ethics and Audit Compliance, and SM102 Internal Controls. Written Reflection on each training due to the PLSB for approval 1 year from the date of the State Board Order. (All costs paid by Educator Anderson) |
VII.12. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-091 Edward Butler
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 1 year and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23004: Code of Ethics Part One: Professional Relationships (.5 Credit Hour), ERC23010: Code of Ethics Part Seven: An Educator’s Influence (1 Credit Hour), ERC23011: Code of Ethics Part Eight: Effective Communication (1 Credit Hour), Title: The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence (208p) Author: Dacher Keltner ISBN 10: 0143110292, and Title: Connect with Your Students: How to Build Positive Teacher-Student Relationships Author: Rob Pelvin ISBN-10: 1976797284. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on each training/book on how they will impact the educator’s future professional practices and interactions with students. Quarterly reports from the educator’s supervisor regarding the educator’s progress on professional practices and interactions with students. (All costs paid by Educator Butler)
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VII.13. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 25-058 Kyle Orsburn
Presenter:
Whitney James
Description:
Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Permanent Revocation of License and assess a $500.00 fine.
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VII.14. Consideration of Charter Contract Extension Requests
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Assistant Commissioner
Description:
The DESE Office of School Choice and Parental Empowerment requests that the ten (10) charter schools with charter contracts set to expire on June 30, 2025, be granted a one (1) year extension. This extension will allow the department to complete the development of a robust charter school performance framework. Once the framework is complete, the charter schools will apply under the updated system for charter contract renewals. The ten (10) charters that will receive an extension are: Arkansas Virtual Academy, Hope Academy, Adventure Academy Online, CenterPoint Academy, Fountain Lake Charter High, Mountainburg Middle Brain Academy, Mountain Home High, Rivercrest Jr. High, Southside Charter High, and Southside Jr. High. The Charter Authorizing Panel voted unanimously to approve the one (1) year extension as requested.
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VII.15. Consideration of the Amendment Request by Friendship Aspire Academies of Arkansas to Add an Additional Campus
Presenter:
Darrell Smith
Description:
Friendship Aspire Academies of Arkansas currently operates seven (7) charter schools in the State of Arkansas as well as one (1) private school, the Friendship Lab School for Dyslexia located in Maumelle. Friendship seeks to close its private school operations so that it may reopen the Lab School as one of its charter campuses, though still with a focus on serving those students in K-8 who have dyslexia. Superintendent, Dr. Phong Tran, spoke on behalf of the district. The Charter Authorizing Panel initially voted on February 27, 2025, to approve the amendment request on a conditional basis pending review of a campus-level budget. The panel reconvened on March 5, 2025, and, after reviewing the requested budget, voted unanimously to approve the amendment request.
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VIII. Reports
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VIII.1. Board Liaison Reports
Presenter:
Dr. Sarah Moore
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VIII.1.a. Committee on Early Learning
Presenter:
Leigh Keener
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VIII.1.b. Nominating Committee
Presenter:
Sarah Moore
Description:
The State Board Operating Procedures, approved March 10, 2022, state the following about the election of officers, "At the Board’s March meeting or earlier, the Chair will appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of three Board members."
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VIII.2. ATOY Report
Presenter:
Beau McCastlain
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VIII.3. Commissioner's Report
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
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IX. Public Comments
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X. Adjournment
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