2020 Arkansas Code
Title 6 - Education
Subtitle 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education Generally
Chapter 23 - Arkansas Quality Charter Schools Act of 2013
Subchapter 1 - General Provisions
§ 6-23-108. School for Agricultural Studies

(a) The authorizer may designate a public charter school as a “School for Agricultural Studies”.

(b) To be designated as a “School for Agricultural Studies”, the applicant must include in its original application or charter amendment request:

1. (1) A request to be designated as a “School for Agricultural Studies”;

2. (2) The school's agricultural studies plan, which shall include without limitation:

   1. (A) The type of agricultural industry in the school's local region;

   2. (B) How the school will address the needs of that industry and the state's agricultural-based economy; and

   3. (C) Anticipated support from the agricultural industry; and

3. (3) A written review of the agricultural studies plan from the Division of Career and Technical Education.

(c)

1. (1) A School for Agricultural Studies may petition the State Board of Education for creation of a new school district by detachment under § 6-13-1501 et seq. if the School for Agricultural Studies meets the conditions of this subsection.

2. (2) To be eligible to petition for detachment, the school shall:

   1. (A) Complete three (3) academic years serving students as a School for Agricultural Studies;

   2. (B) Not currently be classified in need of Level 5 — Intensive support, fiscal distress, or facilities distress;

   3. (C) Not be in probationary status for violation of the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts; and

   4. (D) Show evidence that the school is meeting its stated goals.

3. (3) A School for Agricultural Studies:

   1. (A) Is exempt from the minimum student enrollment and square mileage requirements under § 6-13-1501(a)(2) and § 6-13-1502; and

   2. (B) Shall not be approved to create a new school district by detachment with fewer than three hundred fifty (350) students as determined by a feasibility study included with the petition.

(d)

1. (1) Nothing in this section prohibits a public charter school from offering agricultural programming without the designation as a “School for Agricultural Studies”.

2. (2) A public charter school shall not refer to itself as a “School for Agricultural Studies” unless it is designated as a “School for Agricultural Studies” under this section.