September 21, 2026
PUBLIC NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT
Texarkana Arkansas School District’s Ed-Flex Waiver Application
The Texarkana Arkansas School District intends to apply to the Arkansas Department of Education for one or more waivers of federal requirements under the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 (20 U.S.C. § 5891b). Ed-Flex allows the Department to waive certain federal requirements for individual districts and schools so they can better meet local needs while remaining accountable for student performance. (See Commissioner's Memo COM-27-006.)
The district is requesting the following waivers: time-and-effort certification forms {2 C.F.R. § 200.430(g)}, which waives the requirement to collect semi-annual time certifications for an employee paid entirely from a single Ed-Flex covered program, provided the job description states the employee is assigned 100% to that program; Title I, Part A: 15% carryover limitation {ESEA § 1127}, which allows a district to carry over any amount of unspent Title I, Part A funds into the next fiscal year; and Title IV, Part A: content-area spending apportionment {ESEA § 4106(e)}, which allows the district to go outside the 20% minimums for well-rounded education and safe and healthy students.
The district is asking for these waivers in an effort to better align federal dollars and salaries in a way that allows for more dedicated funding for the improvement of equitable learning experiences. The district expects the use of these waivers to help with more dedicated time and effort for staff members focused 100% on programs funded by federal funds. Allowing for rollover funds will also help ensure better allocation of funds so that each campus can prioritize its use of its funds without being limited by time restrictions on the district. The district expects these waivers to result in increased opportunities for student achievement, for better preparation of college- and career-ready graduates, and to address safety and social/emotional learning for a better experience during the school day. These investments should be evident in greater student participation in related programs, in a greater sense of safety, in fewer discipline issues, and in greater attendance rates.
Parents, educators, school administrators, and other interested community members are invited to comment on this proposed waiver request.
Comments may be submitted by email to MyVoice@tasd7.net or in person at 3435 Jefferson Ave. Comments will be accepted from September 21, 2026, through September 30, 2026.
All comments received will be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Education with the district’s application.