Springdale School District

Dear Springdale Family,
As our students navigate complex national and local conversations, Springdale Public Schools remain committed to providing a safe, structured, and non-discriminatory learning environment. We are receiving questions regarding how the district manages student demonstrations, such as walkouts. To ensure transparency, we want to share the legal framework that guides our actions.
What the District Can and Cannot Do
We Must Remain Viewpoint Neutral: As a public school district, the First Amendment requires Springdale Public Schools to remain neutral. We cannot legally suppress student speech based on the message or the cause. If the district allows one form of expression, it must allow others, provided they do not cross into harassment or cause a substantial disruption of the school day.
The School Board’s Role: The Springdale Public Schools Board of Education establishes the local policies that govern our district. The Board’s responsibility is to ensure our schools remain in full compliance with state and federal laws. By setting clear policies on attendance and conduct, the Board provides the framework for administration to maintain order and safety across all campuses.
We Cannot "Authorize" or "Sponsor" Walkouts: Springdale Public Schools does not "permit" or "sponsor" student walkouts. We encourage all students to remain in their classrooms where learning is taking place. However, when a walkout occurs, our staff’s role shifts from instruction to safety. We have a duty of care to ensure all students remain safe while under our supervision, regardless of their participation in a demonstration.
We Must Uphold State Attendance Laws: While we respect students’ rights to express their views, the First Amendment does not exempt them from school attendance policies. Under the recently enacted Arkansas ACCESS Act, Springdale Public Schools is prohibited from granting excused absences for student protests or walkouts. Consequently, any student who leaves campus or misses instructional time will receive an unexcused absence and other consequences as outlined in the student handbook.
We Must Protect the Learning Environment: Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Springdale Public Schools has an absolute requirement to ensure that no student is subjected to a hostile environment or discrimination. We will not tolerate harassment, intimidation, or threats of violence. If any conduct compromises the safety or dignity of our "Springdale Family," the district will intervene immediately.
Our primary mission is to keep students safe and focused on their futures. We view these moments as opportunities to teach our students about the responsibilities of civic duty, including the importance of balancing personal advocacy with the requirements of the law.
We appreciate your continued support in keeping Springdale Public Schools a place of mutual respect and focused learning.

Big news for the Harp Elementary family! 🍎Springdale Public Schools is proud to announce Natalie Gregory as the new Assistant Principal at Harp Elementary. "Stepping into the role of Harp assistant principal is truly a dream come true for me." — Natalie Gregory. Join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter! ✨
Read the full story here: https://app.smore.com/n/zyjh6 #SpringdaleFamily