Palestine, AR – [June 4, 2025] – The Palestine-Wheatley School District has been awarded $521,255 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service – Distance Learning and Telemedicine (RUS-DLT) Program to lead a new regional education initiative: the Arkansas Delta Distance Learning Program.
This project will provide critical educational opportunities to over 610 rural students and 182 teachers across Palestine-Wheatley, Augusta, and Clarendon School Districts, in partnership with UA–East Arkansas Community College.
Through this grant, the program will:
📚 Expand Access to Advanced Coursework – Including AP and concurrent credit classes across rural campuses using interactive distance learning systems.
🎓 Support College & Career Readiness – With ACT prep, career coaching, and dual enrollment programs delivered virtually.
👩🏫 Provide High-Quality Teacher Professional Development – Through hybrid learning, peer collaboration, and job-embedded coaching.
👨👩👧 Extend Services to Families & Communities – Including adult education, parent training, and virtual learning opportunities for over 18,000 residents.
“This investment will dramatically improve equity and access to education for students and teachers across the Arkansas Delta,” said Ryan Halbert, Palestine-Wheatley School District Superintendent. “By connecting our communities through technology, we’re giving every student a chance to succeed—regardless of zip code.”
The grant will fund interactive classroom systems, mobile learning labs, and AV equipment including smart panels, tracking cameras, and video conferencing tools—supporting both academic instruction and professional development across four total sites.
For more information, please contact Bonnie Halbert at bhalbert@pwsd.k12.ar.us or (806) 470-1691.