2024 ASBA Annual Conference

Join us for a breakfast buffet and a stellar performance from the Morrilton High School Jazz Band.

Jacob Oliva was appointed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders as secretary of the Arkansas Department of Education and commissioner of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education in 2023. A lifelong educator, Oliva played a key role in passing and implementing the LEARNS Act, a transformative overhaul of Arkansas’ education system focusing on early learning, reading supports, Career and Technical Education, school choice, and teacher recruitment. Under his leadership, Arkansas is leading the nation in starting teacher salaries, empowering parents with school choice options, and assisting struggling learners. Before joining Arkansas, Oliva held senior leadership roles at the Florida Department of Education, overseeing programs for 2.8 million students. A graduate of Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Flagler College, Oliva began his career as a special needs teacherand later served as a principal and superintendent in Florida.

We will honor our 2024 Board of Excellence as well as hear from 2nd place student speaker Manvitha Narasimhan (11th Grade, Bentonville High School) and 3rd place student speaker Maria Pearlene Barnett (11th Grade, Forrest City High School).