MEET OUR BOARD

The Pulaski County Special School District Board of Education was elected in November of 2016 and seated on Tuesday, December 13, 2016. At their first meeting, the Board drew for terms and elected officers.

The Board will meet in regular open session on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. These meetings are open to the public. All regular meetings will be held in the Board Room in the Administrative Services Building (925 East Dixon Road, Little Rock, AR 72206).

STEPHEN DELANEY, BOARD PRESIDENT

Board Zone: 1
sdelaney@pcssd.org
Term Ends: 2024

Stephen Delaney represents PCSSD voters who live in Landmark, Shannon Hills, Saline County, Alexander, southwestern Pulaski County, and the West Little Rock neighborhoods of Woodlands Edge, Brodie Creek, Cherry Creek, and Spring Valley.

A product of PCSSD schools, Stephen attended Mills University Studies High School, Fuller Junior High, Jacksonville Elementary, and College Station Elementary. He volunteers with the Junior League of Little Rock (since 2009) and AR Kids Read (since 2015).

Stephen is also a member of the Committee of Practitioners which is an advisory body authorized under Title I of the Elementary & Secondary Schools Act of 1965. The COP reviews rules, regulations, or policies relating to Federal Programs and advises the State of Arkansas on how to best serve the children of our state.

TINA WARD, DISBURSING OFFICER

Board Zone: 2
tward@pcssd.org
Term Ends: 2025

Tina Ward has two adult daughters, a grandson and 2 granddaughters along with several children in which she has had the opportunity to mentor throughout the years. Her daughters both attended Mills Middle formerly known as Fuller Elementary and Junior High, Daisy Bates Elementary and Mills University Studies High School. Ms. Ward has mentored children for more than 30 years within her community and church. She joined the Pulaski County Special School District Board of Education to help support the District by making good, solid decisions and encourage policies that ensures quality education for all.

HEATHER SMITH, BOARD SECRETARY

Board Zone: 3
hsmith@pcssd.org
Term Ends: 2026

Heather Smith is a former PCSSD student having attended Sylvan Hills Elementary School and Northwood Junior High School from 1980-1988. She graduated from Mt. St. Mary's Academy 1992, and furthered her education at the University of Central Arkansas and Pulaski Technical College. Pursuing her true talents, Smith attended Lee's School of Cosmetology and graduated in 1994.

In 1999, she bought a salon from its second owner and created Studio H Salon. The studio just celebrated 22 years under her ownership and over 50 years in this location at the Lakewood House.

Smith and her husband, Shane, live in Sherwood and have two children who attended Sylvan Hills Elementary and Sylvan Hills Middle School in the past. Their oldest attends Catholic High School and our daughter is in 8th grade at Sylvan Hills Middle. Both children shoot on a trap team in which her husband is also a coach. In their free time, the family enjoys spending time at their cabin where they can fish and hunt.

SHELBY THOMAS, BOARD VICE PRESIDENT

Board Zone: 4
sthomas@pcssd.org
Term Ends: 2024

Shelby Thomas grew up in the Sherwood area and is a proud graduate of PCSSD. He attended Homer Adkins elementary, NorthSide Junior High and Jacksonville High School. He has a degree in Electronics Engineering and works for Irby Electrical Distributors as an Energy Specialist covering Arkansas and Northern Louisiana.

As a Reality Class Pastor, you can find him any given Sunday or Wednesday volunteering his time to minister to and pour into students' lives. He truly believes the next generation will change the world. Shelby also serves on the Board of Directors of First Assembly of God NLR where he has been a faithful member for over 20 years.

He and his wife, Leigh, have been married since 1994 and call Sherwood home. They have four children, three who have graduated from Sylvan Hills High School.

WENDY POTTER, LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE

Board Zone: 5
wpotter@pcssd.org
Term Ends: 2023

Biography - coming soon.

ELI KELLER

Board Zone: 6
ekeller@pcssd.org
Term Ends: 2025

DR. LAUREL "LAURIE" TAIT

Board Zone: 7
ltait@pcssd.org
Term Ends: 2026

Dr. Laurel "Laurie" Tait has been a podiatrist for more than 40 years having had offices in California, Missouri and Mississippi. She is currently semi-retired working in local nursing homes and serves as a member of the AR podiatry state board.

She is married and her husband works as a physician at the VA medical center in Little Rock. Together, Dr. Tait and her husband have five grown children , five in-laws and soon-to-be 25 grandchildren. Her grandchildren each attended or are currently attending public school. Her parents both were teachers in Dade County Florida and her mother lives in Little Rock.