State Board Members
Ouida Newton | |
 | Ouida Newton, State Board chair, brings 38 years of experience as an educator to the State Board of Education. She was named the 2015 Arkansas Teacher of Year and recently retired to serve on the State Board. Newton believes that learning is embraced when children receive encouragement and support from parents, teachers and the community. She previously taught multiple levels of math and science in the Poyen School District and has served as a library media specialist, math coach, curriculum supervisor, class sponsor, senior and Arkansas State Beta Club sponsor, and Teachers of Tomorrow supervisor. Newton also taught at the Searcy School District and Pulaski County Special School District and was an adjunct professor at College of the Ouachitas in Malvern. She served on multiple assessment and standard review committees, including the Arkansas Math Standards Review Committee, and spoke before the Governor's Council on Common Core Review. Newton graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Henderson State University at Arkadelphia, with a double major in math and science. She received a Master of Library and Informational Science from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, graduating with a 4.0 grade point average. In 2014, Newton was named the Arkansas Rural Education Teacher of the Year and Arkansas Middle Level Math Teacher of the Year. Newton and her husband, Jerry, live in Leola and have two children and eight grandchildren. Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed Newton to the State Board effective July 1, 2016. Her term expires June 30, 2023. |
Dr. Sarah Moore | |
 | Dr. Sarah Moore, State Board vice chair, has a background in elementary education and education policy. A native of Little Rock, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University and a doctorate in education policy from the University of Arkansas. Moore taught elementary school in the Stuttgart School District and then worked at the Office for Education Policy at the University of Arkansas, as a Doctoral Academy Fellow. In addition, she has worked with non-traditional teaching programs to train and develop teachers. Moore served as the education policy advisor to Gov. Asa Hutchinson for three years, focusing on K-12 education issues, including the Computer Science Initiative. In this role, she saw firsthand that Arkansas' students will be better prepared for their future and will exceed when provided high-quality opportunities, such as computer science. Moore lives in Stuttgart with her husband, James, and their two children. Gov. Hutchinson appointed Moore to the State Board in July 2018. Her term expires June 30, 2025. |
Randy Henderson | |
 | Randy Henderson is a native of Blytheville and has worked with Nucor Steel for over 24 years. He has served in an advisory role for educational institutions including the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Advisory Council and the Philander Smith College Business Advisory Council. He graduated from Arkansas Northeastern College with an associate of arts degree and earned a bachelor of applied science degree from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. His area of focus was industrial technology. Henderson's experience in education and leadership provides him with a vision for the future of Arkansas' students. He believes in the power of education for a successful workforce. As a child, his dream job was to be an educator serving underprivileged children. Henderson is a graduate of Arkansas State Chamber Leadership and the National Society of Leadership and Success. He has served on organizations including Delta Grassroots Caucus, Delta Region Economic Advancement Mission Council, and the Arkansas State Chamber - Be Pro Be Proud. In 2017, Speaker of the House Jeremy Gillam appointed him to serve as an Arkansas business representative on the Arkansas Legislative Task Force on Workforce Education Excellence. That same year, Henderson received the Arkansas Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award from Arkansas Community Colleges Association for his efforts toward helping to shrink the skills gap in education and the workforce in Arkansas. In 2018, Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed Henderson to serve on the Arkansas Workforce Development Board. In 2020, he was recognized by Arkansas Business 250 as one of the state's most influential leaders. Henderson lives in Blytheville with his wife, Alvque. They have four children and three grandchildren. Gov. Hutchinson appointed Henderson to the State Board in August 2021. His term expires on June 30, 2028. |
Dr. O. Fitzgerald Hill | |
 | Dr. O. Fitzgerald Hill has extensive experience in higher education. While serving as the 13th president of Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock, the college experienced a dramatic increase in enrollment, from 150 students to more than 1,100. In addition, the college's budget increased from $2 million to nearly $20 million. After 10 years at the college, Hill recently stepped down as president to become the executive director of the college's foundation and the Scott Ford Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development. He also provides leadership for the Derek Olivier Research Institute for the Prevention of Black on Black Violence, a research think tank that identifies solutions and provides recommendations to address homicides in urban communities. The former San Jose State Spartans head football coach and Arkansas Razorbacks assistant head football coach also serves as a guest lecturer and research associate at the University of Central Florida's Institute of Diversity and Ethics. Hill received degrees in communications and physical education from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia and a master's degree in student personnel services from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La., where he served as a graduate assistant football coach. Hill later served on the Razorbacks football coaching staff for 12 years. A veteran, Hill received the Bronze Star and Commendation Medal for services in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Hill is married to Dr. Cynthia Hill. They have two daughters, Destiny and Faith, and one son, Justice. Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed Hill to the State Board effective July 1, 2016. His term expires in 2023. Email: Fitz.Hill@ade.arkansas.gov |
Kathy McFetridge | |
 | Kathy McFetridge brings 27 years of school board experience serving Arkansas children and families to the State Board of Education. She was first elected to the Springdale School Board in 1991 and has held the positions of secretary/treasurer, vice president and president. During her tenure, McFetridge helped manage the tremendous growth in the Springdale School District with 11 new schools opening to accommodate a rapidly growing student enrollment. McFetridge was elected to serve on the Arkansas School Boards Association in 1999. She received the Honor Board Member Award in 1995 and the Pinnacle Award in 2001. She also received the prestigious Daniel Pilkinton Award in 2001 from the Arkansas School Boards Association in recognition for her outstanding service to public education. In 1998, the National School Boards Association presented McFetridge with its award for distinguished service. McFetridge has also served her community through various organizations. She has served on several statewide committees:
The McFetridge family has owned and operated Ozark Film & Video Productions in Springdale since 1983, and attend First United Methodist Church in Springdale. McFetridge has two adult children and four grandchildren. Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed McFetridge to the State Board of Education in July 2018. Her term expires June 30, 2025. |
Lisa Hunter | |
 | Lisa Hunter is a Jefferson County native and graduate of the Pine Bluff School District. She received a bachelor of science degree in finance with a minor in accounting from Louisiana Tech University. Hunter is executive vice president and chief data officer for Simmons Bank. She began her career at Simmons Bank in 1996 after spending time with other banking institutions in the southeastern U.S. Hunter is an active member of First United Methodist Church. She is a board member of the Pine Bluff Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Arkansas Community Foundation, where she chairs the scholarships committee. She previously served as board member and campaign chair for the United Way of Southeast Arkansas. She served as treasurer and school board member for Trinity Episcopal School in Pine Bluff for several years. As the granddaughter of a public-school administrator, Hunter has always valued education and the opportunities that it provides. Hunter and her husband, Jeff, reside in White Hall. They have two children – Courtney and Anna Claire. Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed Hunter to the State Board of Education in August 2022. Her term expires in 2029. Email: Lisa.Hunter@ade.arkansas.gov |
Steve Sutton | |
 | Steve Sutton is a lifelong resident of northeast Arkansas and a graduate of the Marion School District. He received a bachelor's degree in marketing and a minor in accounting from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Sutton has served as executive vice president and chief credit officer for Financial Federal Bank in Memphis for the last 24 years. He is active in his church, Marion United Methodist, and has served on local non-profit boards. A member of the Marion School Board since 1992, Sutton has served as vice president since 1993. He has received several Arkansas School Boards Association awards including Outstanding Board Member and the Pinnacle Award. Sutton believes that nothing is more important to the future of this nation than the education and success of our children. "Our teachers and public school districts are greatly under appreciated and under valued in this country and that needs to change. Arkansas is gaining in its public education rankings but more needs to be done to help pull up the underprivileged in this state. I was raised in the Arkansas Delta where small town school districts are the lifeblood and main ingredient for the town's prosperity and survival - places where every child, regardless of income, feels a sense of purpose, worth and hope. I would like to see these districts continue to play a vital role in our children's future." In 2019, Sutton campaigned to secure a property tax increase to fund new facilities and renovation in the Marion School District. He recently supported the creation of a 501(c)(3} foundation to further provide for the needs of the district - long past his tenure on the school board. Sutton's wife, Marcia, is a retired classroom teacher and high school counselor. They have three children and nine grandchildren. Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed Sutton to the State Board of Education effective July 1, 2020. His term expires in 2027. |
Jeff Wood | |
 | Jeff Wood is a seventh generation Arkansan and is passionate about improving academic achievement for Arkansas kids. His public service began in 2015 as a parent advocate for schools in the western portions of Little Rock. In 2016, Wood was appointed by Secretary of Education Johnny Key to serve on the Little Rock School District’s Community Advisory Board during the period of time that the state Department of Education intervened in the administration of Little Rock schools. When LRSD was returned to local control in November 2020, Wood was elected to serve on the district’s new school board. In his six years with LRSD, Wood’s proudest accomplishments are shepherding in a new literacy strategy based on the Science of Reading, highlighting the need for exponential growth in the district’s academic services for dyslexic and special needs students, leading the effort to move starting teacher salaries from #100 in Arkansas to #1, and championing LRSD’s expansion in west Little Rock with the construction of West High School, which will open its doors in August 2025. Wood grew up in both Mena and Camden, Arkansas. He’s a proud alum of the University of Arkansas School of Law, the University of Arkansas and Camden-Harmony Grove High School. He practices law in Little Rock where he resides with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Chandler, Crew and London. Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed Wood to the State Board of Education in August 2022. His term expires in 2029. Email: Jeff.Wood@ade.arkansas.gov |
Adrienne Woods | |
 | Adrienne Woods was 4 years old when her parents moved to Bentonville in 1991. Home schooled for most of her K-12 years, she graduated high school in 2005 and thereafter attended Arkansas Tech University earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history in 2008. Missing Northwest Arkansas, she returned upon graduation and earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville in 2012. Prior to her most recent business venture, Woods practiced military criminal defense and civil litigation at the Asa Hutchinson Law Group and corporate white collar criminal defense for Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard law firm, both located in Rogers. Woods also served as a director in the Global Ethics and Compliance department at Wal-Mart Stores Inc., overseeing highly sensitive internal investigations. She and her husband Jonathan have been married for 11 years. They have three children - Henry, Amelia (twins), and Finley. Currently, Woods co-owns FreeRide Studio in Bentonville. Together, she and her husband are actively involved in their church where she volunteers in the children's and women's ministries. Woods was appointed to the State Board by Gov. Asa Hutchinson in June 2020. Her term expires June 30, 2026. Email: Adrienne.Woods@ade.arkansas.gov |
