January is School Board Recognition Month
January is School Board Recognition Month, and we want to spotlight our Board of Trustees and all the great work they do. This year the theme for the month is “Leadership for Tomorrow’s Texas.”
Today we’re spotlighting board vice president Sarah McMurrough. The Arlington ISD parent is also a former Arlington ISD teacher and has been on the board since 2021.
What are you most excited about for the district in 2025?
In a nutshell, we will have a clearer view of our target. During Dr. Smith’s first year as superintendent, he needed to learn about Arlington ISD to inform thoughtful change, and he also needed our board’s collective vision for the district. Our board has now unanimously adopted five board priorities: academic growth, culture, engagement and marketing, safety and discipline, and resources. Under the leadership of Dr. Smith, our rockstar staff is already working to improve in each of these areas, and we are also kicking off the creation of a new strategic plan that will be aligned to this work. AISD staff and stakeholder input will be critical to the strategic planning process to amplify everyone’s voice, so this will naturally take some time, collaboration and calibration. Once the new strategic plan comes together, my hope is that everyone who is part of AISD will have an even better understanding of how their hard work contributes to the overarching mission and vision of our school district.
What do you think sets the Arlington ISD apart from other school districts?
Our people! Arlington ISD educators have preserved the same passion for their work and commitment to student success as when I was a student in this school district, but the opportunities for students have really expanded beyond anything I ever thought possible. Whether it’s athletics, agriculture, welding, dance, cybertechnology, culinary, teaching, health sciences, musical instrument repair or something else, we really have it all! Our community partners help us make this happen by offering practicum opportunities, partnerships and sponsorships. I also love how our teachers are encouraged to infuse their own art and style into their instruction, and I want to continue doing all I can in my capacities as an AISD parent and board member to honor them as professionals. It’s because of our educators and supportive families here in AISD that students realize those passions and dreams that they go after. It’s awe-inspiring to witness as a trustee!
What do you think of the upcoming legislative session?
I would describe this session as a fork in the road for Texas public schools. We need the state legislature to allocate public funds to public schools in order to continue offering salary raises closer to what our teachers and staff need and deserve, help offset costs for universal pre-K and school safety, measure what matters in the area of student achievement, and continue to offer our students critical additional supports such as mental health resources. Eighty percent of school districts here in Texas are now operating under deficit budgets, and when you compare all 50 U.S. states, we rank number 46 in school funding. All children deserve access to a high-quality education, and public schools are designed for this. We accept all students with open arms, and we have the highly qualified staff to serve them exceptionally well. This session all comes down to funding the sustainability of that promise, and our board will remain active in our advocacy efforts.
The theme for this Board Appreciation Month is “Leadership for Tomorrow’s Texas.” How vital a role does a board play in the success of a school district?
A school board’s role is vital in creating positive student outcomes and fostering conditions that attract and retain qualified, caring educators. Functional, thoughtful school boards that are not satisfied with mediocrity can really improve all facets of a school district. As seven individual trustees, we can disagree, but we cannot be disagreeable in our conduct. I genuinely feel that our board has all the right ingredients, and we absolutely made the right choice in hiring Dr. Matt Smith to lead AISD as superintendent. Tomorrow is looking BRIGHT here in AISD, and I feel tremendously blessed to serve at such a time as this.
Where can we find you out and about in Arlington (outside Arlington ISD meetings and events)?
We have the best local restaurants here, and I much prefer dining over my cooking! (I think my family would concur.) Some of my favorites around town are Mac’s, David’s BBQ, Cane Rosso, Prince Lebanese Grill, Sushi Domo, Taste of Europe and Dino’s Subs. I’ve also been craving food from my favorite new food truck: Habibi BBQ, Lebanese-infused BBQ cooked up by AISD alum Marc Fadel. Marc just graduated from Martin High School in 2024, and now he’s running his own business in the heart of his hometown. I need to go back there when the weather warms up a bit!