PUBLIC NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT
Dardanelle School District Ed-Flex Waiver Application
The Dardanelle 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.
The district is requesting the following waiver[s]:
Time-and-Effort Certification Forms Federal requirement waived: 2 C.F.R. § 200.430(g) Employees paid entirely by a single federal program must currently sign paperwork twice a year confirming how they spent their time. This flexibility removes the certification requirement for those employees. Expected benefit for students: Staff and administrators spend less time on federal paperwork and more time supporting students and classrooms.
Title I, Part A — 15% Carryover Limitation Federal requirement waived: ESEA § 1127(a) Title I, Part A provides extra funding for schools serving more students from low-income families. Normally, a district may carry no more than 15% of that funding into the next year. This flexibility lets the district carry over any amount. Expected benefit for students: The district can combine funds across years for larger, sustained investments, such as a multi-year tutoring or literacy program, instead of rushing to spend by a deadline.
Title IV, Part A — Required Spending Categories Federal requirement waived: ESEA § 4106(e) Normally, a district receiving $30,000 or more in Title IV-A funds must spend at least 20% on well-rounded education, at least 20% on safe and healthy students, and some amount on educational technology. This flexibility removes those minimums, allowing the district to set its own amounts. Expected benefit for students: The district can direct Title IV-A funds to its highest-priority student needs rather than fixed percentages.
Comments will be accepted beginning from August 26th through September 9th, 2026. All comments received by September 9th will be submitted to the Arkansas Department of education with the district’s application.
Parents, educators, school administrators, and other interested community members are invited to comment on this proposed waiver request. Comments may be submitted to Melanie Burris by filling out the following form linked here beginning August 26th, in person or by mail at 102 South Front Street Dardanelle, AR 72834.