White County School District presents achievements and mentorship programs to joint education committees

Senator Jane English, chair of the Senate Committee on Education, called the joint meeting of the Senate and House education committees to order at 10 a.m. on Nov. 4, 2025, at the White County School District campus auditorium in Judsonia.

Pharis Smith, superintendent of White County School District, opened with an overview of the district that referenced student demographics and enrollment figures contained in Handout 1. Smith led a campus tour for committee members and described the district's recent accomplishments, including its reported district letter grade and awards, though the transcript does not provide the specific grade or award names.

Also presenting were Michael Strother, principal of White County Middle School, and Shayne Wallis, the district's IT specialist, who described school-level programs and technical supports the district has implemented. Brandon Martin, vice president of the White County Central Board of Directors, discussed mentorship programs that partner community volunteers or board initiatives with district schools; the record notes program descriptions but does not list participant counts or funding sources.

Members of both chambers were listed as present for the visit, including Sen. Dan Sullivan (vice chair), Sen. Stephanie Flowers and Rep. Brit McKenzie (vice chair), among others. The session was a site visit and informational briefing; no motions, votes or formal committee actions are recorded in the minutes.

With no further business recorded, Senator English adjourned the joint meeting at 11:20 a.m.

The committee's materials for the visit are referenced as Handout 1 and Exhibit B2 in the record.