Sanders appoints Gary Starks to State Board of Education

July 28, 2026 - 05:00

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has named Gary Stark to serve on the Arkansas State Board of Education. Stark currently holds the position of senior advisor at the Walton Personal Philanthropy Group, where he has been involved in education-related initiatives.

The appointment fills a vacancy on the board, which oversees public education policy across the state. Stark brings a background in both philanthropy and education reform, having worked closely with the Walton family's charitable efforts. His role at the Walton Personal Philanthropy Group has focused on supporting educational programs and community development in Arkansas.

State Board of Education members are responsible for setting standards, approving curriculum changes, and overseeing the Arkansas Department of Education. Stark's term will begin immediately, though no specific end date for the appointment has been publicly detailed.

Supporters of the appointment point to Stark's experience in navigating large-scale educational projects. Critics, however, have raised questions about the influence of private philanthropic groups on public education policy. The Walton family has been a major donor to school choice and charter school initiatives across the country.

Stark replaces a previous board member whose term expired. The governor's office did not release additional details about the selection process. The board is expected to meet later this month to discuss upcoming policy changes and budget priorities for the next school year.