Regional Prep Academy
The School Board unanimously approved moving forward with establishing the Jones Prep Academy, a center for excellence in student support, at the current location of Jones Elementary School.
The academy is part of Springdale Public Schools' strategic reorganization plan to better meet the evolving needs of students in Springdale and the surrounding region.
The initiative focuses on maximizing district efficiency and establishing a premier regional hub for specialized student support
Expanding opportunity through the Jones Prep Academy is a central component of the reorganization, which will transition the current Jones Elementary School building into the Jones Prep Academy. This new academy will serve as a regional clinical-educational hub, providing intensive, short-term intervention and specialized professional services for students across the region.
This repurposing of district facilities will maximize efficiency for student success to ensure all students have access to the most modern resources and stable learning environments.
As such, the district will transition students and staff who’re currently learning and working at Jones Elementary to Bayyari and Knapp elementary schools starting in the 2026-2027 school year. This move will allow the district to provide students with more robust peer groups and 21st-century learning spaces.
“This is about finding the right seat for every child,” said Superintendent Dr. Jared Cleveland. “Whether that is in a modern classroom at Bayyari or receiving specialized, intensive care at the Jones Prep Academy, our goal is to ensure every student in our region has a clear path to success."
The district is committed to maintaining the strong relationships and a culture families value and will have the current, familiar administrative team of Jones lead the transition to Bayyari and Knapp elementary schools.
Springdale Schools will host community information sessions as additional information on this strategic transition becomes available.
2026-27 School Calendar
The School Board likewise approved the 2026-27 Academic Calendar, noting Certified PPC President Cassie Kautzer's work to explain the calendar's components.
Showcase of the Arts/EAST Night Out 
CANstruction Champions
The School Board celebrated the Harp Elementary School students who won the title of Treehouse Pantry CANstruction Champions, a title that reflects both their incredible creativity and their commitment to serving the community.
Students Alden Bohn, Itzell Marez, Sloane Underdown, Spencer Oros, Omar Lakhal, Romina Zarate, Allyn Ingram and Rhiannon Jennings combined engineering skills with a spirit of giving, using canned goods to build impressive structures while simultaneously supporting local food security efforts.
CANstruction is a hunger relief competition that raises millions of pounds of food each year for local food banks. CANstruction chapters have competitions citywide where teams create "CanArt" to compete for awards.
The Treehouse Pantry is a dedicated resource center for the Springdale School District that provides food and clothing to students in need. By winning, Harp Elementary students proved to be the most successful in collecting and creatively "stacking" cans of food that were later used to stock the pantry's shelves for local families.
Celebrating the DTSOI Music Program
The Don Tyson School of Innovation music program was recognized by the School Board for its competitive achievements.
The DTSOI Middle School Symphonic Band, under the direction of Jeff Kee, Justin Hazard, John Vinzant and Manchusa Loungsangroong, was selected as one of only two junior high honor bands in the entire state of Arkansas for 2026.
Selection of the 8EE Honor Band at the Arkansas All-State Music Conference is incredibly competitive, as a panel of out-of-state judges reviews blind recordings from schools across the state. Winning this honor meant they were invited to perform a featured showcase at the Feb. 19 Hot Springs Convention Center during the conference.
The DTSOI Junior High Honor Choir, directed by Cindy Kee, Jessica George and Alex Jones, was also selected as a featured Honor Ensemble for the 2026 conference. Like the band, this choir represents the "best of the best" in the state.
The program’s fine arts secretary is Erica Whorton.
Live, Work & Thrive Job & Housing Fair
The Live, Work, & Thrive Job and Housing Fair is a community-focused event designed to provide comprehensive support for job seekers and those navigating the housing market.
The free event will be Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Springdale Public Schools Professional Development Center at 866 S. 48th St.
Open to all attendees, the fair offers practical resources such as computer access for completing applications and a dedicated "Ace the Interview" room where school leaders share professional tips.
Beyond career development, real estate professionals are on-site to answer housing-related questions, ensuring a holistic approach to personal stability.
The event will also breakfast for district staff from McDonald's, snacks for participants from The Treehouse Pantry and door prizes.
AGATE 2026 Curriculum Award
The School Board celebrated Gifted and Talented Facilitator Shelbi Raines for receiving the Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education 2026 Curriculum Award.
The award is presented to those with an exceptional commitment to developing high-quality, innovative curriculum that challenges and inspires gifted learners. This prestigious honor from AGATE highlights her leadership in the field and her passion for fostering academic excellence within Springdale Schools.
Stock Market Game Champions
The School Board learned some trading tips from Leanne Johnson’s fourth-grade class, who took first place in the elementary division of the fall Stock Market Game.
The Hunt Elementary School students competed in the statewide personal finance competition during the fall semester. The Stock Market Game is an investment simulation facilitated nationwide by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Foundation.
The Stock Market Game challenges students to grow a hypothetical $100,000 portfolio over each fall and spring semester or the whole school year. The Hunt Elementary winners were recognized with a trophy for their accomplishment alongside other game achievers at an awards luncheon at the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock.
Gifted and Talented Recognitions
Associate Superintendent Melissa Fink shared a host of additional Gifted and Talented achievements from throughout Springdale Public Schools.
• Laurel Pickel’s George Elementary School students were selected to present their project at the Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education Conference, a competitive statewide honor.
• Jennifer Boogart of John Tyson Elementary School of Innovation was selected as the 2025-2026 Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award recipient.
• Tyson Elementary was named as a Global Crayola Creativity Ambassador under the supervision of Jennifer Boogart.
• Dr. Stacey Plumlee will be serving as the Arkansas Association for Gifted Education Administrators President Elect for the 2026-2027 school year.
• Aubrey Harris and Avery Rasnick of Tyson Elementary received the AGATE Youth Challenger Award for extraordinary innovation and service.
• Jamie Cavitt from T.G. Smith Elementary School is implementing a schoolwide STEAM enrichment program serving all students through a grant.
• Bethany Cebuhar of Walker Elementary School has received over $10,000 worth of grants to provide students with enriched learning experiences and expand community partnerships.
• Bethany Cebuhar, Jo Huggins, Shelbi Raines, Jennifer Boogart, Leanne Johnson and Jennifer Taunton are leading grants from Explore Learning to provide extension opportunities with Gizmos and Science4Us.
• Jennifer Taunton from Young Elementary School received multiple grants to provide materials and supplies for entrepreneur student projects.
• Seven third-grade students, six fourth-grade students and four fifth-grade students from Young Elementary School received honorable mentions in the National Noetic Math Competition.
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