Arkansas State Board of Education
Arkansas State Legislature

We, the parents, guardians, community members, and concerned citizens, respectfully submit this petition to bring urgent attention to serious concerns regarding the conduct of the administration at Bayyari Elementary School in Springdale, Arkansas.

Over the past several months and years, numerous parents and guardians have come forward with troubling reports that the current principal (Mary Mulican) has:

1. Failed to treat students fairly and equitably — Instances in which some students are disciplined more harshly than others for similar or lesser infractions, leading to a perception of favoritism and discrimination.

2. Used intimidation tactics toward parents — Several parents allege that they have been subjected to threats, coercion, or “blackmail”-type pressure in order to suppress complaints or avoid raising concerns about school policies and staff conduct.

3. Created an environment of fear and mistrust — Instead of fostering collaboration and transparency, the administration’s actions have reportedly caused both students and parents to feel unsafe in voicing legitimate issues.

We believe these allegations represent a severe breach of ethical leadership, violate the trust between school administration and families, and may infringe upon students’ right to a safe and supportive educational environment.

We request the following actions be taken immediately:

1. A formal, independent investigation into the conduct of the principal (Mary Mulican) and any other staff involved in these matters.

2. Assurance that students are treated equally regardless of personal relationships, background, or other non-academic factors.

3. Implementation of clear protections for parents and guardians against retaliation when raising legitimate concerns.

4. Increased oversight by the Arkansas State Board of Education to ensure compliance with all state and district policies regarding student rights, parent engagement, and administrative accountability.

The well-being of our children and the integrity of our public education system depend on fair, transparent, and ethical leadership. We call upon you, our state’s educational and legislative leaders, to intervene promptly to protect our students, restore trust, and hold those responsible accountable.

Respectfully submitted,
Concerned Parents at Bayyari Elementary