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.

Current Charter Authorizing Panel Members

• Phil Baldwin – CEO, Citizens Bank
• Dr. Sonja Wright-McMurray – Division of Career and Technical Education, Associate Director
• Toyce Newton – State Board of Education Member from August 18, 2009, to June 30, 2016
• Dr. Tina Moore, Director of Workforce Development, Arkansas Department of Higher Education
• Dr. John Bacon – Impact Arkansas Fellowship, Executive Director
• Edie Stewart – Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, Senior Vice President
• Dr. Crystal Beshears-Duncan - University of Arkansas, Assistant Director of Innovation
  

2026 Charter Authorizing Panel Meeting Schedule

Charter Authorizing Panel Meeting Dates

The Charter Authorizing Panel will meet on January 29, 2026 and on the THIRD THURSDAYS of every month February 2026 through December 2026.

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

General Operating Procedures- approved October 18, 2022.

For more information, please contact:

Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment – Charter Unit 
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Elementary & Secondary Education
Four Capitol Mall, Box 26
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-683-6286
Email: ade.charterschools@ade.arkansas.gov