School Board Meeting News

The Springdale Public Schools School Board met April 14, 2026.

Regular monthly School Board meetings are held at 5 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the District Administration Building at 804 W. Johnson Ave.

Meetings are livestreamed HERE monthly.

Springdale Public Schools has named Natalie Gregory as the new Harp Elementary School Assistant Principal.

“Stepping into the role of Harp assistant principal is truly a dream come true for me,” Gregory said. “I am excited to be able to continue strengthening relationships with students, parents, teachers and the community.”

Read full story HERE.

The School Board celebrated graduates of the district’s Aspiring Administrator Academy.

The program was established by district administrators and provides transparent and relevant learning experiences, equips participants with applicable tools, fosters connections and empowers participants to be problem solvers.

Aspiring Academy Leadership Team: Katie Wilson, Parson Hills Elementary School; Karen Johnson, Hellstern Middle School; Lindsay Hennarichs, Elmdale Elementary School; Jody Johnson, Jim D. Rollins Elementary School of Innovation; Betsy Barker, Springdale High School; Sara Kennedy, Young Elementary School; Stephanie Hinsey, Central Junior High School; Cassie Marquette, Monitor Elementary School; Brandolyn Peterson, Bayyari Elementary School; Dori Little, Shaw Elementary School; Ashley Kirby, John Tyson Elementary School of Innovation; Josh Jenkins, George Junior High School; and Aurelian Sennett, Hellstern Middle School.

Eight students from Springdale Public Schools have officially advanced to the rank of National Merit Scholar Finalists, marking a major milestone in one of the nation’s most elite academic competitions.

The group consists of four students from Don Tyson School of Innovation and four from Har-Ber High School. After being named Semifinalists last fall, a distinction held by only the top 1% of seniors nationwide, these eight scholars successfully navigated a rigorous secondary application process to secure their spot in the final round.

To achieve Finalist status, these students had to maintain a consistently high academic record, submit a compelling personal essay, receive a formal recommendation from their school leadership and validate their initial PSAT scores with a qualifying performance on the SAT or ACT.

Now that they are Finalists, these students are in the running for some of the most sought-after scholarships in the country.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation will begin notifying winners in waves between March and July. Approximately half of the Finalists nationwide will be selected to receive a scholarship, which includes National Merit $2,500 awards, corporate-sponsored scholarships and college-sponsored awards.

Teacher Tony Terrell shared about Har-Ber High School hosting the Arkansas State Thespian Festival from Feb. 12-14.

The event serves as the definitive annual gathering for high school theater departments across the state. This three-day intensive transformed the Har-Ber campus into a massive hub for the performing arts, bringing together thousands of students, educators and industry professionals.

The event is centered around growth and recognition, featuring a rigorous schedule of workshops led by experts in fields ranging from stage combat and choreography to technical lighting and makeup design. For many students, the weekend is a high-stakes opportunity to compete in the Thespys, which feature individual performance and design categories where “Superior" ratings can lead to national qualification.

Beyond the educational components, the conference acts as a vital bridge between high school and professional careers through its extensive college audition process. High school seniors utilized the festival to audition for university recruiters, often securing scholarships and program placements on the spot.

Arisa Health recognized Dr. Randi Huebner as a 2026 Mental Health Champion. Selected as one of six honorees from across 41 counties during National School Counseling Week, Dr. Huebner was chosen for her innovative leadership and deep commitment to student success.

Har-Ber High School Principal Dr. Paul Griep praised her as a "deeply caring counselor" whose impact is felt daily, a sentiment echoed by families who describe her as a genuine, trusted advocate who goes the extra mile with warmth and humility.

Dr. Huebner’s ability to build immediate trust and lead with compassion makes a lasting difference for the students she serves.

Executive Director of Student Services Damon Donnell announced the district will benefit from $600,000 in Prevention, Recovery, Education Program funds.

The funds will be provided over the next two years to support four health, wellness and prevention specialist positions that will serve students and families across all of the district’s 18 elementary and eight secondary schools.

“These positions will focus on proactive prevention, early intervention and recovery,” Donnell said. “Their work will include student health and wellness support, early identification and intervention for at-risk students, family outreach and connection to resources, collaboration with counselors, nurses and administrators, substance abuse prevention education and school-wide prevention programming for students, staff and families.”

The district is investing in prevention, building protective factors and supporting students before challenges become serious, he said.

“Our goal is clear and powerful,” Donnell said. “It's one that says every student graduates prepared for life with skills and support to make safe and healthy choices. That's really at the crux of what we're trying to do here.”

The School Board congratulated Archer Learning Center principal Dr. Coby Davis, the new president of the National Alternative Education Association.

The National Alternative Education Association (NAEA) is a professional organization dedicated to supporting and accelerating the success of non-traditional educational programs across the United States.

It serves as a central hub for educators, administrators, and policymakers who work with at-risk students or those who thrive outside of the traditional classroom setting. The association focuses on establishing "best practice" standards, providing specialized professional development, and advocating for legislative support to ensure that alternative learning centers—like Archer Learning Center—have the resources necessary to help every student reach graduation.

By fostering a national network of practitioners, the NAEA ensures that alternative education is recognized as a vital, rigorous, and highly effective pathway within the public school system.

The School Board honored Child Nutrition Director Gena Smith, who was officially named the Arkansas Child Nutrition Director of the Year at the Arkansas School Nutrition Association Conference.

Beyond the logistics of managing menus and federal guidelines, this award celebrates the heart Smith brings to district cafeterias every single day. Her dedication to our students’ well-being is felt in every kitchen across the district, and her passion inspires her entire staff to serve our community with pride.

District Counsel Kendra Clay shared information with the School Board on filling the vacancy created following the April election and School Board Member Kevin Ownbey’s retirement from the board.

Following the recent re-election of School Board President Nick Emerson and School Board Member Randy Hutchinson, a vacancy has opened in Zone 2 because Emerson was elected to represent Zone 1. To address this, the Board intends to appoint a new member for Zone 2 to serve the remainder of the term through 2028.

The selection process will be conducted entirely in a public session during the June 9 School Board meeting, with a hard deadline to fill the position by June 15.

Information regarding the vacancy will be published officially, and any interested parties must submit a valid petition by May 29, which is ten days prior to the scheduled meeting.

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Location: PO Box 8 Springdale Ar 72764
Phone: 479-750-8800