WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?
Dr.
2025 Calendar of Events AAEA Staff
Dr. Mike Hernandez
Executive Director m.hernandez@theaaea.org
Dr. Karla Neathery
Assistant Executive Director k.neathery@theaaea.org
Lenett Thrasher
Assistant Executive Director l.thrasher@theaaea.org
Sharon Chuculate Fiscal Services Coordinator s.chuculate@theaaea.org
Sarah Shamburger
Business Manager s.shamburger@theaaea.org
Alyse Mattox
Communications & Technology Specialist a.mattox@theaaea.org
Melanie Thrasher
Business Analyst m.thrasher@theaaea.org
Lana Webb Administrative Specialist l.webb@theaaea.org
Rachel Blocker
Administrative Assistant r.blocker@theaaea.org
Mike Mertens
Consultant m.mertens@theaaea.org
January
Superintendent Symposium, January 8-9, 2025
Doubletree Little Rock
Certified Facilities Director (CFD) Classes, January 21, 2025
Southwest Arkansas Education Service Center, Hope
TEL-AR Conference, January 29-30, 2025
Wyndham Riverfront Hotel, North Little Rock
February
AASBO Conference, February 12-14, 2025
Hot Springs Convention Center
ArkASPA Spring Conference, February 25, 2025
Wyndham Riverfront Hotel, North Little Rock
March
AACIA Conference, March 13, 2025
Benton Event Center
April
CASBO Classes, April 23-24, 2025
Location TBD
CFD Classes, Date TBD
Location TBD
May
ASBA/AAEA Joint Conference, May 6, 2025
Wyndham Riverfront Hotel, North Little Rock
AAFC Spring Conference, May 7-9, 2025
Hot Springs Convention Center
June
AASEA Conference, June 9-10, 2025
Benton Event Center
AAEA School Law and Finance Conference, Date TBD Location TBD
July
AAEA Summer Conference, July 28-30, 2025
Marriott Hotel & Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock
For more information, visit theaaea.org/events.
2024-2025 AAEA Board of Directors
Stacy DeFoor AAEA President Assistant Superintendent, Benton
Kelvin Gragg AASA President AssistantPineSuperintendent, Bluff
Dr. Jeff Wasem AAESP President-Elect Principal, Bentonville
Brandie Williams ArkASPA President Superintendent, Trumann
Kelsey Bailey AASBO Past President Chief Financial Officer, Little Rock
Bryce Bennett AAMLA President Director of Academic Assessment Services, Conway
Dr. Mike Hernandez AAEA Executive Director
Charles Warren AAEA President-Elect Business Manager/District Treasurer, Fort Smith
Dr. Debbie Bruick-Jones AASA President-Elect Superintendent, Bentonville
Shawn Rose AAESP Past President Principal, Hillcrest
Kelli AACTEACypertPresident Career & Technical Administrator, ARESC
Haley Hatch AASEA President Director of Special Services, Lake Hamilton
Greg Collins ASPMA President (until Oct) Maintenance/Facilities Supervisor, Dover
Dr. Jason Reeves AAEA Secretary and AASSP President Assistant Principal, Alma
Dr. Jeremy Owoh AASA Secretary Superintendent, Jacksonville/ North Pulaski
Jason Selig AASSP President-Elect Principal, Lake Hamilton
Christine Harrell AAFC President Federal Programs Coordinator, Searcy
Dr. Marcia Smith AACIA President Deputy Superintendent, Springdale
Randall Bolinger ASPMA President (begin Oct) Maintenance/Facilities Supervisor, Siloam Springs
Brian Kirkendoll AAEA Past President Principal, Alma
Steven Helmick AAESP President Principal, Little Rock
Amy Marek AASSP Past President Principal, Hazen
Justin Robertson AASBO President Chief Financial Officer, Russellville
Valerie King AAGEA President Director of Gifted Programs, Siloam Springs
B.J. TEL-ARBurgessPresident Director of GreenbrierTechnology,
2024 AAEA Corporate Sponsors
Presidential
American Fidelity Assurance Co.
Coryell Roofing and Construction, Inc.
Curriculum Associates
Educational Benefits, Inc.
Lifetouch National School Studios, Inc.
NIET - National Institute for Excellence in Teaching
Solution Tree, Inc.
Prestigious
Bailey Education Group
Cognia
Just Right Reader
Performance Services
Renaissance Learning, Inc.
School Responder
Distinguished
Capturing Kids’ Hearts
Energy Systems Group
Lexia Learning
Diamond Apptegy
Arkansas Public Safety Solutions
Baldwin & Shell
ClassWallet
Diamond (Continued)
ClearGov
Edmentum
Education Elements
Energy Systems Group
ESS
First Security Beardsley Goalbook
Imagine Learning
Imagine Learning Sonday System
Middleton, Inc.
OnToCollege
SmartData Dashboard
Stephens, Inc.
Stride Tutoring
Tanium
White River Services and Solutions
Platinum
AAMSCO
Architecture Plus, Inc.
C.R. Crawford Construction, LLC
Entegrity Energy Partners, LLC
Hight Jackson Associates
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt / NWEA
Legacy Construction Management
Nabholz Construction Corp.
Phoenix Contractors
Platinum (Continued)
Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects
Powers of Arkansas
Pro Benefits Group, Inc.
Progressive Technologies
TRANE US, Inc.
Gold
CDI Contractors
Cromwell Architects Engineers
Cynergy Rehab Group
IXL Learning
Kinco Constructors, LLC
Paragon Architecture
Pearson Virtual Schools
Red Comet
TIPS - The Interlocal Purchasing System
Silver Adleta
American Bus Sales, Inc.
Correll, Inc.
French Architects, PA
My Benefits Channel
SEAS
Strategos Group
Varsity Tutors for Schools
Executive Viewpoint
Dr. Mike Hernandez, AAEA Executive Director
WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?
Ready to feel old? I was listening to the radio this morning and they were talking about how we are getting ready to start the year 2025. 2025?!? What?!? It seems like we should have artificial intelligence, self-driving cars, and Snoop Dogg should be the ambassador of all things America. Oh, wait…Ok now to the old part. I thought in this article we would take a look back to 25 years ago to remember what was going on in education both in Arkansas and nationally.
In June 2000, the Arkansas State Board Members were Luke Gordy, Chairman; Richard Smith; ViceChairman; JoNell Caldwell; Claiborne Deming; William Fisher; Robert Hackler; Shelby Hillman; Betty Pickett, Lewis Thompson, Jr, and Anita Yates. The board and Commissioner Ray Simon discussed a program called Smart Start. In December of 2000, the SBE approved an extension of the contract to administer the Stanford 9 test due to the Stanford 10 not being available. Legislation at the time allowed districts to vote on whether to participate in school choice. About 50% participated in school choice at the time. The SBE was the approval mechanism for charter applications due to the Charter Authorizing Panel not being in place.
Numerous awards were given across our state. Here are a few of those winners. The 2000 Milken Award winners were: Marla Sutton, an art teacher in the Alma School District; Toni Lockhart, an elementary teacher in the Van Buren School District; Tracy Streeter, an elementary teacher from Hamburg; and Johnettee Walker, an elementary principal at Wilmot Elementary (Hamburg School District). The 2000 Superintendent of the Year was Dan Shepherd of the Marion School District. The AASBO School Business of the Year was Anita Murphee. The principals of the year were Dr. Bert Stark and Jerry Valentine. AACIA Administrator of the Year was Dr. Marsha Jones. The Arkansas Teacher of the Year was Patti Meeks from Hamburg.
On the legislative side, the members of the House Education Committee included: Pat Bond, Paul Bookout, Herschel Cleveland, Olin Cook, Mary Beth Green, Phillip T. Jacobs, Gene Jeffress, Calvin Johnson, Jim Magnus, Thomas Moore, Steve Oglesby, Mary Anne Salmon, Harmon R. Seawel, Wilma Walker, Paul Weaver, Robert J. White, and Arnell Willis. The Senate Education Committee included David Malone, Jim Argue, John E. Brown, Jodie Mahoney, and John A. Riggs. The Speaker of the House was Bob Johnson and the President of the Senate was Jay Bradford. There were two Extraordinary Sessions in 2000 as part of the 82nd General Assembly. The first dealt with tobacco settlement funds and the second consisted of property tax credits.
AAEA had around 2100 members with activity in the various constituent groups. Monty Betts was the AAEA President, Ed Sellers was president-elect, Johnny Thaxton was secretary/treasurer, and Linder Childers was past president. The staff members included: Dr. Kellar Noggle, Charles Knox, Ed Love, Truett Goatcher, Cecil Boothe, Dorthy Arendt, Lenore Monkus, and Paula Williams. The 25th Annual Conference was planned for July 31-August 2, 2000 at the Excelsior Hotel in Little Rock. The general session speakers were Dan Miller, author of Living and Loving Life; Michale Kneale, motivational speaker; and Tamara Hall, author of When Life Kicks, Kick Back
Continued on next page
It would not be a trip down Memory Lane without checking the sports record book. The football state champions were Rison, Boonville, Greenwood, and Cabot. (I attended this game and #44 for Cabot was a load!) In boys basketball it was Little Rock Fair, HS Lakeside, Lonoke, Earle, and Turrell. Girls basketball champions were FS Northside, Harrison, Ozark, Greenland, and Bradley. Baseball champions were Texarkana, Watson Chapel, Central Arkansas Christian, Horatio, and Ouachita. Softball champions were Rogers, Lake Hamilton, and Farmington. There was also a policy update given by NASBE at the time that gave the following statistics about students who did not participate in extra-curricular activities.
• 57% more likely to drop out
• 49% more likely to have used drugs
• 37% more likely to become teen parents
• 35% more likely to smoke
• 27% more likely to have been arrested
• Lower attendance rates
• More likely to carry weapons
Many things were going on nationally. In 2001, we had the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Enacted in 2001 under President George W. Bush, NCLB was a major overhaul of federal education policy. It emphasized accountability, requiring states to administer standardized tests in reading and math to students in grades 3–8 and once in high school. Schools were evaluated based on Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), with penalties for underperforming schools. While intended to close achievement gaps, critics argued it led to "teaching to the test" and neglect of non-tested subjects like the arts and social studies.
The Y2K bug, a potential problem with digital systems related to the transition to the year 2000, prompted schools to upgrade technology and infrastructure. While the feared disruptions did not materialize, the preparations spurred investment in more modern computer systems for administrative and educational purposes. The federal E-Rate program (established in 1996) provided discounted internet access to schools and libraries, resulting in more classrooms becoming connected to the internet by 2000.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, USDOE, and Children’s Defense Fund in 2000, approximately 45 million students were attending 89,500 schools in 15,358 districts. 4.6 million handicapped students were educated for $9,000 each. There were 6.2 million limited-English students with two million unable to speak any English. One million abused and neglected children and one million had lead poisoning. 500,000 students were from foster or other institutions. 500,000 students were considered homeless.
Education has come a long way in 25 years. It does not seem that long ago, but when you stop to think about it you look at the people named above and probably recognize a few names. It goes to show that we have a small window to make our mark in education. Don’t squander your gift of educating our youth. I hope you enjoy your break and come back ready to work in January. The legislative session and second semester are loading…
President’s Perspective
Stacy DeFoor, AAEA Board President
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
Greetings AAEA Members,
I hope that you enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends. In just a few days you’ll be leaving once again for the Christmas holiday. While this time of the year is often exciting for many of us, we must not forget that some of our students and families are struggling. This time of the year is a time that we are not only focusing on our students’ academic needs, but also ensuring our families have the necessary resources and food during the time we are out of school. Once we return in January, we will hit the ground running. I would encourage you to have a plan and areas of focus to maximize your impact on student learning as we prepare our students for the spring semester. In no particular order below, I’ve listed a few suggestions that might help you plan for your return from the holiday season.
1. Enhance Teacher Professional Development: Do you have any PD days built into your calendar for the spring semester? If so, consider some of the options below:
• Ongoing Training: Provide continuous professional development opportunities to help educators stay current on best practices, technology tools, and differentiated instruction strategies.
• Collaborative Learning: Encourage teacher collaboration and sharing of resources within and across departments to strengthen collective knowledge and teaching practices.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Support teachers in using student data effectively to inform their teaching and to identify students who need extra attention.
2. Assess and Adjust Instructional Strategies:
• Mid-year Data Review: Review student performance data (assessments, attendance, behavior, etc.) to identify trends and areas of need. This will guide adjustments to teaching practices.
• Targeted Interventions: Implement or refine intervention strategies for students who may be falling behind or need additional support, such as tutoring or differentiated instruction.
• Instructional Alignment: Ensure that instructional goals are aligned with state standards and learning objectives, and adjust pacing guides if necessary.
3. Strengthen Family and Community Partnerships:
• Engage Families : Develop strategies to increase family engagement, such as regular communication, parent-teacher conferences, and involving parents in school activities.
• Community Resources: Leverage community partnerships to provide additional support for students, such as mentorship programs, after-school tutoring, or extracurricular opportunities.
4. Review and Adjust Assessment Practices:
• Formative Assessments: Ensure ongoing formative assessments to gauge student progress and adjust instruction as needed.
• Summative Assessments: Prepare students for end-of-year assessments and ensure that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform well.
I hope that you have a memorable and relaxing time away from your daily duties of school leadership. Take time to recharge your batteries so that you can be your best for your staff and students for the spring semester. Have a blessed holiday season!
Asked & Answered
Dr. Karla Neathery, AAEA Assistant Executive Director
When should we plan to reorganize our school board?
The Board shall elect a president, vice president, secretary, and legislative liaison at the first regular meeting following the later of: the certification of the results of the annual school election; or if there is a runoff election, at the first regular meeting following the certification of the results of a run-off election. Officers shall serve until the Board’s reorganization following the District's next annual school election and perform those duties as prescribed by policy of the Board. The Board shall also elect through a resolution passed by a majority vote on one of its members to be the primary board disbursing officer and may designate one or more additional board members as alternate board disbursing officers. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the county treasurer and to the director of the Department of Finance and Administration.
If you have questions for Dr. Neathery, email her at k.neathery@theaaea.org .
Safety & Wellness Segment
Annual Review of Response Protocols for Budget Planning
Submitted by Barbara Grimm, Founder and President of School Responder, and C.J. Huff, Ed.D.
An annual evaluation of your school’s response protocols not only helps ensure you are prepared for emergencies but also allows you to plan effectively for the next year’s budget. By timing the evaluation in alignment with your budget cycle, you ensure that any necessary updates or investments—whether in training, technology, or materials—can be included in the upcoming fiscal plan. The following are key areas for review:
1. Crisis and Communication Protocols: Are all staff trained in the latest protocols for emergencies and mental health crises? Consider whether refresher courses or new training sessions might be needed, especially with staff turnover.
2. Mental Health and Wellness Support: Evaluate tools and resources available for mental health support, both for students and staff. Updating software or adding new wellness check-in systems can be budgeted to enhance the overall school climate.
3. Technology and Tools: For schools using response tools, it is important to assess the effectiveness of these systems. Are they providing real-time insights? If new features or updates are available, factor in potential costs for upgrading.
4. Budget Request Processes: Do you have a system in place that encourages, supports, and prioritizes budget requests related to safety and security concerns? Consider making safety and security a priority in the budget process by weighting those requests more heavily than other budget requests. Keeping detailed notes from your evaluation process is crucial. Document any unmet needs or challenges encountered, as these insights will guide decisions in allocating resources and planning professional development. This documentation can also support grant applications or other funding opportunities for specific needs, such as mental health initiatives or technology upgrades.
Administrator Spotlight: Bryce Bennett
Director of Academic Assessment Services, Conway Public Schools
Bryce Bennett, Director of Academic Assessment Services for Conway Public Schools, says that while his entire family is made up of educators, it wasn't until college that he realized he wanted to be in the classroom himself. He began his career in education teaching U.S. History, U.S. Government, Psychology, and Sociology at Jonesboro High School and spent six years there before joining the Douglas MacArthur Junior High School administration team as an assistant principal. He says, "I had a blast teaching, but I quickly realized I was interested in school leadership and the impact I could have." From there, he then became principal at Greenbrier Middle School for four years before taking on the role of Director of Teaching and Learning for the Greenbrier School District. Now, he is in his 16th year in education, and is serving as the Director of Academic Assessment Services for Conway Public Schools. "Every step of the way, I’ve had phenomenal people in my corner, encouraging and mentoring me toward better outcomes," he says.
Bryce's current role encompasses Advanced Placement, ESOL and Migrant services, district testing coordination, and data analysis. His favorite part of the job is the support he's able to provide for students, families, and school teams. "I enjoy taking on challenges and finding solutions. Although everything we handle in education on a day-to-day basis is important, it’s particularly exciting when someone seeks help and I have the capacity to deliver a solution quickly." The biggest challenge is in ensuring he has critical knowledge in advance of any potential issues. "In my current role, there are many unique situations that arise with testing and English Learners, requiring both background knowledge and experience." He says anyone interested in the job should know that "the work will be hard, and you won’t always know what to do, but as long as you keep the focus on students, everything else will fall into place."
Bryce says the best advice he's ever received is to always lead with integrity and empathy. "A mentor once told me that decisions made with honesty and compassion will earn trust, even when the outcomes are difficult. That guidance has shaped how I approach leadership and relationships throughout my career." The biggest change he's noticed in education over his career is in how educators approach preparing students for the world as well as how they teach students behaviors. "At the beginning of my career, educators were ramping up efforts to create pathways to success for all students, from four-year universities to vocational schools and internships. In the last 5–6 years, we have seen students entering our systems with a variety of significant issues related to selfregulation and executive functioning skills." Bryce says while school leaders and teachers navigate this shift, for him the bottom line remains the same: "our work is to be the brightest spot in a student’s day—in some cases that means providing the safest, most well-fed, most attended to, and most invested eight consecutive hours they may experience. That is a big responsibility, and no matter how education changes, people will always answer that call."
with Bryce Bennett ? ! Q&A
What is the most daring thing you’ve done?
Traveling through Scotland for two weeks with three kids was quite an adventure. From navigating unfamiliar roads to packing in as much of the country as possible, every day was an experience. We explored castles, hiked in the Highlands, and embraced the unpredictable weather. It was definitely challenging, but I know it’s a trip the kids will remember forever.
What do you enjoy doing during your time off?
I love eating and traveling. We just went to Scotland this summer for two weeks, and Autumn and I have a list of countries that we want to visit. I love coaching soccer, and Bellamy, Jameson, and Sullivan all play, so we spend a lot of weekends at the soccer fields.
What is one of the things on your “Bucket List?”
I’d love to attend a Formula 1 race in Europe someday, or even the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. I’d also like to live abroad at some point, even if just for a few months.
If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?
I think making food for people would be a great experience. The best setting would be cooking something warm and greasy to serve from a food truck on a cold day—maybe grilled cheese and soup, or barbacoa.
What are the goals you are still working toward?
Eventually, I would like to serve as a superintendent for a school district. For now, though, I love my team and the work I get to do every day!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself continuing to grow as a leader in education, making a meaningful impact on both students and staff. I hope to take on greater responsibilities, influencing policies or initiatives that drive lasting improvements in our schools. At the same time, I want to stay deeply connected to the dayto-day challenges and successes of our educators, ensuring my leadership consistently reflects the
What do you see as the biggest benefit of AAEA membership?
AAEA offers too many benefits to count, but for me, the easiest way to sum it up is this: AAEA exponentially increases my capacity to serve students by connecting me with a network of experienced professionals who know what works for students and how to help them reach their potential. Every year, I’ve expanded my network and made lifelong friends through AAEA. I know I always have people I can call if I hit a roadblock or need advice.
CoSN: Support for Technology Administrators
CoSN is a great resource for school technology administrators. Check this page monthly for links to articles to assist technology leaders as they navigate through digital learning transformations. Click Here to Read About This Month’s
Financing Technology Innovations - Strategies and Tools
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Value of Investment (VOI)
CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents
edLeader Panel Series
CoSN 2025 Conference
CoSN Membership
Awards
Joel Dean
2025 TEL-AR Technology Director of the Year
Joel Dean, Technology Coordinator for the Conway Public School District, was recently named the 2025 Technology Education Leaders of Arkansas (TEL-AR) Technology Director of the Year. This award is sponsored by American Fidelity. Mike Mertens, AAEA Assistant Executive Director; B.J. Burgess, TEL-AR President; and Kim Wilson, American Fidelity, presented Mr. Dean with the award at his school district on December 10, 2024.
Crystal Carranco
2025 AAESP Assistant Principal of the Year
Crystal Carranco, Assistant Principal at Stagecoach Elementary School in the Cabot School District, was recently named the 2025 Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals (AAESP) Assistant Principal of the Year. This award is sponsored by Curriculum Associates. Lenett Thrasher, AAEA Assistant Executive Director; Dr. Tony Thurman, Superintendent, Cabot School District; Mr. Michael Byrd, Deputy Superintendent, Cabot School District; Carol Skiba, Principal, Stagecoach Elementary; and Alice Shirey, Curriculum Associates, presented Mrs. Carranco with the award at her school on December 12, 2024.
AAEA and our Constituent Groups are proud every year to offer a number of scholarships to students in Arkansas. Applications are available online at theaaea.org/page/scholarships.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ SALARY SURVEY 2024
A total of 213 school districts and charter schools participated in the annual AAEA survey of salaries for school administrators and classroom teachers for the 2024-25 school year. The survey was conducted September through December. Data from 2023-24 is used for those districts that did not respond to AAEA’s request for current year data.
The average salaries for various categories of state school administrators and classroom teachers, grouped by school district size, are shown in the tables on page 12. National salary data comes from two sources: AASA (the School Superintendents Association) and NEA (National Education Association). AASA’s data on superintendent salaries represent a small sample of school districts nationwide.
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$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ SALARY SURVEY 2024
State Salaries compiled by AAEA Research - December 2024
Superintendents
• National median for districts less than 1,000 ADM - $132,723
• Districts 1,000-3,000 ADM - $160,000
• Districts 3,000-5,000 ADM $192,000
• Districts 5,000-10,000 ADM $203,500
• Districts 10,000-25,000 ADM $226,885
Source: AASA Partial Survey of Districts Nationwide
Additional Information for 2022-2023
Classroom Teachers
Average salary in Arkansas increased from $57,590 in 2023-24 to $58,330 this year.
• National average for 2022-23 was $69,597
• Estimated national average for 2023-24 is $71,824
Source: NEA
• Average beginning hourly rate of pay for bus drivers: $21.21
• Average salary for technology coordinators: $65,556
• Average salary for federal coordinators: $88,949
• Average beginning daily rate of pay for substitute teachers: $91.18
• 83% of districts responding to the survey reported they outsourced substitute teacher services.
• 32% of districts responding to the survey reported they outsourced cafeteria services.
• 54 districts responding to the survey reported they outsourced at least a portion of custodial services.
Character Connection
Better Together: Team Success Starts Here
Submitted by Capturing Kids’ Hearts
One of the most important things we can do as school leaders is to lower stress in our schools so that teachers and staff feel comfortable, connected, and capable. As we head into the busy holiday season, it’s a great time to recognize success, focus on collaboration, and uplift your team through practical actions.
Start With the Positive: Try starting each meeting by sharing good news with your team! Spend three to five minutes spotlighting staff members, asking questions to show authentic interest, and applauding each response. It’s a simple but effective way to build a sense of community.
Strategize Team Affirmations: Celebrate what is going well on your campus by intentionally planning ways to affirm your team. This could look like grabbing a staff member's favorite snack or drink and giving it to them with personal recognition in front of their class or team. Set aside time weekly to write or deliver genuine, specific affirmations. Everyone needs to feel seen and valued!
Ask for Feedback: Empower your staff by asking for their feedback. Incorporating activities that allow your team to express their thoughts helps you identify what’s working and what should grow. Here is a great question to start the conversation: “In what ways would you like to be empowered or grown over the rest of this school year?”
These ideas can help you fine-tune your leadership and build a more collaborative campus plan. Leadership thrives when we work together and recognize the wins along the way. Let’s finish 2024 by building each other up well!
To learn more about how your team can use the Capturing Kids’ Hearts® Process to build stronger connections, visit ckh.org.
Building Block
Construction Manager At-Risk VS Design-Build
Submitted
by Will
Black, Business Development Manager, Performance Services
Arkansas schools have design and construction procurement options. These delivery methods range from low bid (Design-Bid-Build or Plan/Spec) to best value (Design-Build) or fall somewhere in between (Construction Manager At-Risk).
Evaluate these three important considerations before selecting a method for your next building project:
• Budget Constraints
• Fixed Move-in Schedules
• Owner Risk Tolerance
Click here to learn more.
Publication Sneak Peek: School Law Review
This segment features content from other AAEA publications. School Law Review is a quarterly publication available to subscribing districts. The following excerpt comes from the December 2024 issue.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming term is likely to include decisions on a number of issues that may have significant implications for school districts. The Court has already agreed to hear a major case out of Tennessee about whether states may prohibit medical treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy if they are meant to help transgender minors transition to a gender identity that is inconsistent with their sex assigned at birth. Some 24 other states have similar laws. The Tennessee case was filed by three transgender teenagers who have to travel to other states for gender-affirming care. The students claim the Tennessee law violates the 14th Amendment’s equal-protection clause. The Biden administration intervened in the case in order to support the teenagers’ arguments.
A federal district court enjoined enforcement of the law but the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed, rejecting the teenagers’ argument that transgender status was a “suspect classification” which entitled them to claim that any laws passed by the state which harmed them would be subject to strict scrutiny, which is a markedly higher level of constitutional scrutiny used by federal courts in the decisional process. The Sixth Circuit instead upheld the Tennessee ban on certain transgender care under a “rational basis” test and concluded that the state law was rationally related to the state’s interest in taking a cautious approach to irreversible medical treatments of minors.
The Supreme Court agreed to hear the teenagers’ appeal on the equal-protection question on whether the Tennessee law should be decided on strict constitutional scrutiny, which would likely lead to a ruling in favor of the teenagers. The Court’s resolution of this question could have an important impact -- far beyond the health-care context -- on school transgender
issues, such as controversies over restrooms, locker rooms, and athletic participation.
The Supreme Court has also agreed to hear a Wisconsin telecom provider’s appeal in a case that could create uncertainty about the future of E-rate subsidies for schools. This case involves a telecom provider facing a civil trial under a federal fraud statute for allegedly overcharging schools under the subsidy program. The legal question in this appeal is whether the E-rate program is sufficiently tied to the federal government to come under the False Claims Act, a more than century-old statute designed to root out fraud in federal contracting. The company argued that the False Claims Act does not apply to the private money that telecom providers contribute to the Universal Service Fund (USF). A related case involves a decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which held that the USF’s funding mechanism was unconstitutional, which has caused substantial alarm in the school tech community and uncertainty about schools’ receipt of E-rate subsidies.
Another case the Court will hear this term involves a Texas law requiring age verification for anyone accessing certain websites offering sexual material harmful to minors. Opponents of the law argued that it infringes on the free-speech rights of adults, but the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law. The Court’s decision may have an adverse impact on efforts in Texas and other states to restrict school and library books deemed sexually explicit or otherwise harmful to minors.
Interested in more from School Law Review? Contact our office at 501-372-1691.
The AAEA Job Board is a calendar-year subscription that assists districts with the everincreasing challenge of recruiting quality staff. It is a significant resource for educators, both in-state and out-of-state, seeking employment in Arkansas schools.
Over 165 school districts are participating in the program, which has been extremely helpful to schools and educators over the years. The site is used year-round and is accessed extensively during the second semester. It is not unusual to see over 400 jobs posted on the Job Board at one time. With an account, school districts may post unlimited job vacancies throughout the year.
To subscribe (by district) or to post job openings, contact Lana Webb, Administrative Specialist, at l.webb@theaaea.org or at 501-372-1691.
Job Openings
White Hall School District
Special Ed Director
Jonesboro School District Superintendent
Mulberry/Pleasant View BiCounty School District Middle School Principal
Marion Math Science and Technology Magnet School Elementary Assistant Principal Little Rock School District
Mountain View School District
25/26 Secondary Principal
Special Ed Director
