Charter Authorizing Panel

Formed in 2013 after the passage of the Arkansas Quality Charter Schools Act of 2013, the Charter School Authorizing Panel is the primary authorizer for all charters in the state. The panel oversees the authorization, renewal, revision and revocation of charters. Act 462 of 2017 allows for both department staff and individuals outside the department to serve on the panel. In accordance with Act 462 and in an effort to increase representation from multiple stakeholder groups, Commissioner Key named seven Charter Authorizing Panel (CAP) members on August 3, 2017.

Charter Authorizing Panel Members

•  Deborah Coffman – Assistant Commissioner, Public School Accountability
  
•  Phil Baldwin – CEO, Citizens Bank
•  Sonja Wright-McMurray – Division of Career and Technical Education, Associate Director
•  Dr. Naccaman Williams – State Board of Education Member from August 11, 2004, to June 30, 2011
•  Toyce Newton – State Board of Education Member from August 18, 2009, to June 30, 2016
•  Karli Saracini – Assistant Commissioner, Educator Effectiveness and Licensure
•  Dr. Eric Flowers – ADE Assistant to Director

2021 Charter Authorizing Panel Meeting Schedule

•  January 19, 2021
•  February 16, 2021 (rescheduled to February 23 due to inclement weather)
•  March 16, 2021
•  April 13, 2021
•  May 18, 2021
•  June 15, 2021
•  July 13, 2021
•  August 17-18, 2021
•  September 14, 2021
•  October 19-20, 2021
•  November 16, 2021
•  December 14-15, 2021

Charter Authorizing Panel meeting agendas can be found at https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/1133.

For more information, please contact: