Ouida Newton

Former Arkansas lawmaker, LEARNS Act co-author appointed to State Board of Education

BY: - July 13, 2023

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed former state Rep. Ken Bragg of Sheridan to the Arkansas State Board of Education on Thursday. Bragg, a longtime advocate of school vouchers, replaces former board chair Ouida Newton, whose term expired June 30. In a press conference, Sanders credited Bragg with co-writing her signature education legislation, the LEARNS Act, […]

Arkansas Secretary of Education nominee Jacob Oliva

Oliva selected as new K-12 education commissioner

BY: - January 12, 2023

The State Board of Education unanimously elected Arkansas’ new education secretary as the Arkansas Department of Education’s Division of Elementary and Secondary Education commissioner on Thursday. The board unanimously selected Jacob Oliva following an executive session at its regularly scheduled meeting.  “I am honored to receive the board’s approval today, and I look forward to […]