Stacy Smith

Stacy Smith, deputy commissioner with the Arkansas Department of Education, presented various options available to the State Board of Education on Thursday morning, April 13, 2023, concerning the disposition of the beleaguered Marvell-Elaine School District. (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)

Arkansas education board approves gradual release of Earle district from state control

BY: - June 1, 2023

The Earle School District is being released from its fiscal distress status but will remain under state control for until next May.  The Arkansas State Board of Education approved the action Thursday during a special meeting in Earle.  The board also approved a recommendation to reinstate the district’s suspended board members in a limited-authority capacity. […]

Ali Noland, Arkansas State Board of Education

Arkansas education board approves first ‘transformation contract’ under LEARNS Act

BY: - May 5, 2023

The Arkansas State Board of Education on Friday approved a first-of-its-kind arrangement to allow a charter school company to run a public school district under threat of closure. The board voted in favor of a recommendation for the Marvell-Elaine District to enter into a “transformation contract” with the Friendship Education Foundation, the first such agreement […]

The State Board of Education held a public meeting at the Marvell-Elaine School District in Marvell Thursday morning, April 13, 2023. Stacy Smith, deputy commissioner with the Arkansas Department of Education, back to camera, presented various options available to the board concerning the disposition of the beleaguered school district. (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)

Arkansas Delta school district becomes first to pursue transformation campus under LEARNS Act

BY: - April 13, 2023

The Arkansas State Board of Education voted Thursday to allow the Marvell-Elaine School District to avoid consolidation by becoming the state’s first “transformation campus.”  Community members applauded the news, including Republican state Rep. Mark McElroy of Tillar, who started dancing and hugging his neighbors inside the Marvell-Elaine High School gym. McElroy said he was a […]