PUBLIC NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT
Alma School District Ed-Flex Waiver Application
Alma 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)
The district is asking that this requirement be waived because 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 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.
Parents, educators, school administrators, and other interested community members are invited to comment on this proposed waiver request.
Comments may be submitted to Amy Brewer, Alma SD Federal Programs Coordinator, by email at abrewer@almasd.net, by mail, or in person at:
Alma School District, 916 Hwy 64 East, Alma, AR 72921
Comments will be accepted from August 26, 2026 through September 8, 2026.
All comments received will be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Education with the district’s application.