Arkansas Republicans Urge PCSSD Board to Stay Conservative

Nonpartisan school board race turns openly political as some candidates court GOP support.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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While the race for seats on the Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) board is meant to be nonpartisan, Arkansas Republicans are calling for the board to stay conservative. PCSSD board member Karyn Maynard, who also serves as president of North Pulaski Republican Women, introduced fellow board member Heather Smith, who is running for re-election, at a recent Republican Party meeting, stating the district needs to stay conservative. Other candidates, however, have criticized these partisan statements, saying the focus should be on students and educators, not political parties.

Why it matters

School board races are typically intended to be nonpartisan, focusing on the needs of students and the community rather than political affiliations. The Republican Party's involvement in this race raises concerns about the potential for partisan politics to influence decisions that should be made in the best interest of the district's students.

The details

During a Pulaski County Republican Party meeting, PCSSD board member Karyn Maynard, who also serves as president of North Pulaski Republican Women, introduced fellow board member Heather Smith, who is running for re-election in Zone 3, stating the district needs to stay conservative. Other candidates, such as Bradley Morrison and James Jackson, have criticized these partisan statements, saying they raise serious questions about how decisions are being made and that the focus should be on students and educators, not political parties.

  • The PCSSD board election is scheduled for early voting starting in the coming week.

The players

Karyn Maynard

PCSSD board member and president of North Pulaski Republican Women.

Heather Smith

PCSSD board member running for re-election in Zone 3.

Bradley Morrison

Candidate for the PCSSD board.

James Jackson

Candidate for the PCSSD board.

Robert Tellez

Candidate for Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge.

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What they’re saying

“If those statements are true, they raise serious questions about how decisions are being made.”

— Bradley Morrison, PCSSD board candidate (thv11.com)

“It's disappointing to see anybody in a school board capacity make this race about political parties. The focus should be on the students as well as the educators who are directly involved in guiding our students every day.”

— James Jackson, PCSSD board candidate (thv11.com)

What’s next

The PCSSD board election is scheduled for early voting starting in the coming week, and the outcome could have significant implications for the district's political leanings and priorities.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over the role of partisan politics in traditionally nonpartisan school board elections. While some candidates are actively courting Republican support, others are calling for a focus on the needs of students and educators, rather than political affiliations. The outcome of this race could set the tone for future school board elections in the state.