Board approves Alphabest after‑school pilot at Bobby G. Lester Elementary
June 02, 2026 | JACKSONVILLE NORTH PULASKI SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Arkansas
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The Jacksonville North Pulaski School District board on Tuesday approved a pilot after‑school program with Alphabest Education to launch at Bobby G. Lester Elementary this school year.
Dr. O.A. introduced the presentation and Judy Knee, identified herself as CEO of Alphabest Education, outlined the company’s model: rotating enrichment curricula (arts, architecture and design, world language, coding and more), supervised recreation and homework time, and staffing that prioritizes hires from the local community. Knee said programs typically run two‑and‑a‑half to three hours after school, usually until 6:00 or 6:30 p.m., and include snack and outdoor time. She said Alphabest would become licensed to collect state childcare subsidies so eligible families would pay little or nothing for care.
Board members asked about cost and transportation. Alphabest representatives said the company had a flexible pricing structure, multiple weekly options, and a sliding scale tied to free/reduced‑price lunch eligibility; they added the regular school bus schedule would remain in place but parents would generally be responsible for pick‑up in the evening. Dr. Walker and district staff said they had worked with Alphabest on rates to keep parent fees as affordable as possible.
After brief discussion the board moved to approve the pilot. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote with no opposition recorded.
The pilot is limited to Bobby G. Lester Elementary initially, with district leaders saying the intention is to test the model, work out operational details and, if successful, expand to other elementary sites. Alphabest and district staff noted licensing, staff recruitment, and family outreach as next steps.
Dr. O.A. introduced the presentation and Judy Knee, identified herself as CEO of Alphabest Education, outlined the company’s model: rotating enrichment curricula (arts, architecture and design, world language, coding and more), supervised recreation and homework time, and staffing that prioritizes hires from the local community. Knee said programs typically run two‑and‑a‑half to three hours after school, usually until 6:00 or 6:30 p.m., and include snack and outdoor time. She said Alphabest would become licensed to collect state childcare subsidies so eligible families would pay little or nothing for care.
Board members asked about cost and transportation. Alphabest representatives said the company had a flexible pricing structure, multiple weekly options, and a sliding scale tied to free/reduced‑price lunch eligibility; they added the regular school bus schedule would remain in place but parents would generally be responsible for pick‑up in the evening. Dr. Walker and district staff said they had worked with Alphabest on rates to keep parent fees as affordable as possible.
After brief discussion the board moved to approve the pilot. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote with no opposition recorded.
The pilot is limited to Bobby G. Lester Elementary initially, with district leaders saying the intention is to test the model, work out operational details and, if successful, expand to other elementary sites. Alphabest and district staff noted licensing, staff recruitment, and family outreach as next steps.
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