Meeting Agenda
I. Call to Order
II. Changes to Agenda
III. Action Agenda
III.1. Charter Amendment Request
III.1.a. Schools for Advanced Studies--Northwest Arkansas
III.2. Charter School Applications
III.2.a. Sheridan Jacket Academy
III.3. Renewal of Existing Charters
III.3.a. Arkansas Virtual Academy
III.3.a.1) Arkansas Virtual Academy--Elementary
III.3.a.2) Arkansas Virtual Academy--Middle
III.3.a.3) Arkansas Virtual Academy--High School
III.3.b. Graduate Arkansas
III.3.c. Imboden Area Charter Schools
III.4. Review and Consideration of School Improvement Plans
III.4.a. Institute for the Creative Arts
IV. Consent Agenda
IV.1. Minutes 
V. Reports
V.1. Update on Schools Opening in 2026-27 School Year
VI. Public Comments
VII. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: June 18, 2026 at 9:00 AM - Charter Authorizing Panel Meeting
Subject:
I. Call to Order
Presenter:
Dr. Sonja Wright-McMurray, Chair, Assistant Director, Division of Career and Technical Education
Subject:
II. Changes to Agenda
Presenter:
Dr. Sonja Wright-McMurray, Chair
Subject:
III. Action Agenda
Presenter:
Dr. Darrell Smith, Assistant Commissioner
Subject:
III.1. Charter Amendment Request
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed. D., Assistant Commissioner
Attachments:
Subject:
III.1.a. Schools for Advanced Studies--Northwest Arkansas
Presenter:
Darrell Smith, Ed. D., Assistant Commissioner
Description:
Representatives of the School for Advanced Studies—Northwest Arkansas (Benton County) appear before the Charter Authorizing Panel to modify their existing charter to remove BASIS Charter Schools, Inc. as the sole member of Arkansas Schools for Advanced Studies, Inc., transitioning to a fully independent Arkansas nonprofit corporation governed by a locally focused board.
 
Attachments:
Subject:
III.2. Charter School Applications
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Subject:
III.2.a. Sheridan Jacket Academy
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Description:
Representatives of the Sheridan School District present a proposal for a District Conversion Charter for the Sheridan Jacket Academy in this district in Grant County, Arkansas.
 
Attachments:
Subject:
III.3. Renewal of Existing Charters
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Subject:
III.3.a. Arkansas Virtual Academy
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Description:
Representatives of Arkansas Virtual Academy (Pulaski County) appear before the Charter Authorizing Panel to renew the school’s charter which expires June 30, 2026.
 
Attachments:
Subject:
III.3.a.1) Arkansas Virtual Academy--Elementary
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Attachments:
Subject:
III.3.a.2) Arkansas Virtual Academy--Middle
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Attachments:
Subject:
III.3.a.3) Arkansas Virtual Academy--High School
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Attachments:
Subject:
III.3.b. Graduate Arkansas
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Description:
Representatives of Graduate Arkansas (Pulaski County) appear before the Charter Authorizing Panel to renew the school’s charter which expires June 30, 2026.
 
Attachments:
Subject:
III.3.c. Imboden Area Charter Schools
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Description:
Representatives of Imboden Area Charter Schools (Lawrence County) appear before the Charter Authorizing Panel to renew the school’s charter which expires June 30, 2026.
Attachments:
Subject:
III.4. Review and Consideration of School Improvement Plans
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Subject:
III.4.a. Institute for the Creative Arts
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Description:
Representatives from the Institute for the Creative Arts, in Sebastian County, Arkansas, have been invited to present their school improvement plan before the Charter Authorizing Panel.
 
Attachments:
Subject:
IV. Consent Agenda
Presenter:
Freddie Scott, Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment
Subject:
IV.1. Minutes 
Subject:
V. Reports
Presenter:
Sarper Turker, Ed. D., ADE Director of Charter Schools
Subject:
V.1. Update on Schools Opening in 2026-27 School Year
Presenter:
Freddie Scott, Education Program Coordinator, ADE Charter School Office
Subject:
VI. Public Comments
Presenter:
Dr. Darrell Smith, Assistant Commissioner
Subject:
VII. Adjournment
Presenter:
Dr. Sonja Wright-McMurray, Chair, Assistant Director, Division of Career and Technical Education

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