Summary — HR 1086 (Arkansas House Resolution)
Purpose
HR 1086 is a ceremonial House resolution passed by the 95th Arkansas General Assembly that formally congratulates Bentonville sixth‑grade teacher Bonnie Pollock for receiving a 2025 Milken Educator Award and its accompanying $25,000 prize. The resolution recognizes Pollock’s professional accomplishments, her classroom practices, and the national recognition afforded Arkansas by her award.
Key provisions
- Officially congratulates Bonnie Pollock of Old High Middle School (Bentonville) for receiving a Milken Educator Award and the $25,000 prize.
- Notes background details about the award: it is presented by the Milken Family Foundation in a surprise ceremony, recipients are confidentially recommended (not applicants), winners are paired with veteran recipients through the Milken Friends Forever mentorship program, and winners are invited to the annual Milken Educator Awards Forum (Pollock invited to the April 2025 forum in Los Angeles).
- Quotes and statements included in the resolution: comments from Pollock about her classroom and student achievements (including success in Arkansas’s Civics Bee), and a statement from Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva highlighting the statewide significance of the recognition.
- Directs that, upon adoption, a copy of the resolution be presented to Bonnie Pollock by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Who is affected / impact
- Primary honoree: Bonnie Pollock (sixth‑grade teacher, Old High Middle School, Bentonville).
- Secondary beneficiaries: Pollock’s students, colleagues, school community, and broader Arkansas education community through positive publicity and morale.
- Legal/administrative impact: None substantive — this is an honorary, nonbinding resolution (no change to statutes, funding, or policy).
Procedural timeline and status
- Introduced: February 6, 2025 (By Representative McAlindon).
- Referred to House Committee on Agriculture; later considered by Local & Consent and Congratulatory & Memorial Calendars.
- Read and adopted: various entries show “READ AND ADOPTED” (March 20, 2025) and final adoption actions recorded May 22, 2025 (rules suspended, adopted, and reported enrolled).
- Upon adoption, the resolution is to be presented to Bonnie Pollock.
Sponsors / Cosponsors
Primary sponsor: Representative McAlindon. Listed cosponsors include Tony Wied, Randy Feenstra, Donald G. Davis, Adrian Smith, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Josh Harder, Eric Sorensen, Doug LaMalfa, Ashley Hinson, Adam Smith, Greg Landsman, Tracey Mann, Sharice Davids, Chellie Pingree, Jim Costa, Jimmy Panetta, Bradley Schneider, Darin LaHood, Derrick Van Orden, Mary E. Miller, Brad Finstad, Dan Newhouse, Don Bacon, April McClain Delaney, Kim Schrier, Nikki Budzinski, Mike Bost, Mariannette Miller‑Meeks, and others as listed in the bill record.
Notes
- The Milken Educator Award is often described as the “Oscars of Teaching.” HR 1086 is celebratory in nature and does not allocate state funds or impose regulatory changes.
