FORT SMITH, Ark. — Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders began April with multiple scheduled events in Fort Smith, from Fort Chaffee to Harvest Time Academy.
Her first stop was to send off 40 members of the state National Guard to support the Texas National Guard at the U.S.-Mexico border from early April until the end of May.
At the send-off, Gov. Sanders discussed the number of illegal border crossings and the amount of fentanyl that's been seized within the past year.
The soldiers deployed for the mission are primarily out of Benton and Washington counties, and Brigade Commander Tye Parker says about half of the soldiers on this mission have been sent to Texas before.
"Last year, they went, so they're very experienced. Additionally, a lot of the soldiers that are going are bilingual. We take advantage of the fact that they can speak both Spanish and English. I think that helps to provide additional support to the mission down in Texas," said Brigade Commander Parker.
Shortly after the sendoff, Sanders visited Harvest Time Academy in Fort Smith where she announced more information about the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program with Education Secretary Jacob Oliva.
"This current school year we kept EFA open to students with the greatest need, and we enrolled over 5000 students in that program. more than half of those students have a learning disability," said Gov. Sanders. "With the success of the program, we are excited to expand enrollment to an even wider group of students next year."
For the 2024-25 school year, eligible students include the following:
- First-time kindergarteners
- Students coming from “D” or “F” schools or “Level 5” districts
- Students coming from the Succeed Scholarship Program
- Homeless students
- Current or former foster care students
- Students with disabilities
- Children of:
- Veterans
- Military Reserves
- First Responders
- Law Enforcement Officers
Those eligible can now apply for the program, alongside those who participated last year.
Gov. Sanders said, "We must have the opportunity and ability to recognize and show them our support. the initial rollout of the EFA program allowed children of current military service members to enroll. That result has been extraordinary."
The Citizens for Arkansas Public Education and Students (CAPES), a nonpartisan organization that has spoken against Gov. Sanders' education reform, has stated that “Public tax dollars should be used only for public schools. We are also curious to know how many new students will be served by the EFA [as opposed to] students who were already attending private schools."
Grandmother and guardian Stephanie Davis described her grandson's private education as excellent, "He's learned the Bible ... That's a big part of the curriculum. As far as his education, he's excelled with the smaller class sizes. I like the student-to-teacher ratio. I'm very impressed with that."
Davis says her grandson Elijah, who is in 4th grade, has been going to Harvest Time Academy since he was 1 year old, and now his education is at a 6th-grade level.
"He's always telling me that he's excited about being able to continue with the smaller class sizes. He is aware that he is learning more, and he's excited. I wanted him to have a primarily Christian education, and it's a private school." Davis explained.
To meet the overwhelming demand, Harvest Time Academy's principal says they're having to add "6th grade to our school and open more classrooms across various grade levels next year."
"We believe public schools are the heart of each community," said CAPES.
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