EL DORADO, Ark. — Parents and guardians of incoming kindergarten students in the El Dorado School District can begin preparing now for the 2026-27 registration process, with sibling registration opening April 17 and open kindergarten registration beginning April 22.

According to district registration materials, open kindergarten registration will begin at 8 a.m. on April 22, 2026.

District officials say children must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 1, 2026, in order to enroll in kindergarten for the upcoming school year.

Registration will be completed in an online format through the El Dorado School District website. Families are instructed to visit eldoradopublicschools.org, select “Enroll My Student,” and then follow the kindergarten registration steps provided there.

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Before registration can be finalized, parents must first complete a Google Form, which will then provide a link to PowerSchool. Families will be asked to create a username and password to continue the process. District materials note that both the Google Form and the PowerSchool submission must be completed, along with all required documents, for registration to be considered complete.

Documents required for registration include a birth certificate, Social Security card, shot record, and proof of residency within the El Dorado School District. Proof of residency must be a bill or statement showing the parent or guardian’s name and address and must be dated within the last 30 days.

The district is also advising families that school preference will only be prioritized if all required documents are uploaded at the time of registration.

Parents who are unsure whether they live within the district are encouraged to contact the Union County Assessor’s Office at 870-864-1920.

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For families who do not have internet access, assistance is available through the district’s Administration Office at 200 West Oak. Questions can also be directed to the district by calling 870-864-5006.

The registration materials feature the district’s elementary campuses, including Hugh Goodwin Elementary, Northwest Elementary and Yocum Elementary.

For more information, parents can visit www.eldoradopublicschools.org.

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EL DORADO — The City of El Dorado is accepting resumes to fill a vacancy on the El Dorado City Council following the resignation of Ward 2 Council Member Vance Williamson.

Williamson’s resignation will take effect April 30, creating an opening for Ward 2, Position 1 on the council.

City officials are encouraging residents of Ward 2 who are interested in serving their community to apply for the position. The selected individual will serve the remainder of the current term, which expires December 31, 2026.

Interested applicants must reside within Ward 2 to be eligible for consideration. Resumes should be submitted to Mayor Paul Choate at City Hall no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 30, 2026.

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The El Dorado City Council will hold a Special Called Meeting on May 5, 2026, at 5:15 p.m., during which council members will hear from applicants and make an appointment to fill the vacancy.

City officials say the appointment provides an opportunity for residents to take an active role in local government and help shape decisions affecting the future of the city.

EL DORADO — Members of ULEAD Class 15 spent time this week learning about the role tourism plays in the local economy during the program’s second session, which focused on attractions and destinations across El Dorado and Union County.

According to the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce, the session began with a morning leadership program before participants visited several key tourism sites throughout the community.

Stops included tours of the South Arkansas Regional Airport, Mystic Creek Golf Club, the Arkansas Welcome Center, and the Murphy Arts District, where participants received an up-close look at how each location contributes to drawing visitors to the area.

Chamber officials said the session highlighted the importance of tourism as an economic driver and demonstrated how local attractions work together to support growth and visibility for the region.

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ULEAD, a leadership development program organized by the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce, is designed to prepare emerging leaders with a deeper understanding of the industries, services, and organizations that shape Union County.

Session 2 focused specifically on tourism and its role in promoting El Dorado and Union County as destinations for travelers, events, and recreation.

Chamber representatives described the day as an opportunity to showcase the impact tourism has on the community while providing class members with firsthand knowledge of the assets that help attract visitors to South Arkansas.

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EL DORADO — The El Dorado High School Jazz Cats delivered an award-winning performance at the Four-States Jazz Festival in Texarkana, Texas, with five students earning prestigious individual honors during the competition.

The festival, held Friday in Texarkana, featured student jazz ensembles from across the region. During the event, five members of the El Dorado High School Jazz Cats were recognized with the Scott Joplin Soloist Award, an honor given to outstanding performers for their individual solos.

Students earning the award included Ianna Hernandez, a 12th-grade alto saxophone player; Addison Baker, a 12th-grade baritone saxophone player; Emma Borosvskis, a 10th-grade trumpet player; Caden Hymes, a 12th-grade trumpet player; and Skylen Caver, an 11th-grade trumpet player.

School officials praised the students for their dedication and musical talent, noting that earning multiple Scott Joplin Soloist Awards in a single performance is a significant accomplishment.

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The Four-States Jazz Festival provides student musicians an opportunity to perform before judges, refine their skills, and showcase their musical abilities among peers from multiple states.

El Dorado School District leaders said they are proud of the Jazz Cats’ continued success and the hard work demonstrated by the students and their directors throughout the school year.