This was an exciting week for the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees as the members participated in eight Arlington ISD graduations and congratulated nearly 4,000 seniors as they walked across the stage!
They also congratulated many others at their school board meeting on June 5. Here are some of the highlights from the meeting.
Fred Threats Jr., a rising senior at Lamar High School, kicked off the meeting by leading everyone in the pledges of allegiance. Threats has been a member of the Student Leadership Advisory Board this year. The advisory board includes representatives from the junior class at all eight district high schools, and they represent Arlington ISD students’ opinions and provide their voice to the Board of Trustees and the Arlington ISD community. The board expressed its gratitude for their impactful service and took time to celebrate and thank them.
The trustees then presented the Community Partner Award of Appreciation to the River Legacy Foundation. Since the opening of the River Legacy Living Science Center in 1996, Arlington ISD fourth grade students have taken part in the Young Scientist Program, a field investigations trip that provides an authentic experience in nature. Since 2010, second graders at Title I campuses have participated in a Forest Detective Program providing access to hands-on educational experiences. And now many high school students are involved in habitat projects at the center. Thank you, River Legacy, for inspiring wonder, curiosity and a lifelong connection to the world around us.
The board also honored the district’s UIL athletic state champions this year. Arlington ISD had three wrestling state champs from Martin High School – Nic Zamora, Isaak Arevalo and Grayson Carpenter. And Caitlyn Cavitt, also from Martin, won the gold medal in the long jump. Congrats to these amazing student athletes!
The honors didn’t end there. Next, the trustees congratulated the district’s principals and assistant principals of the year. They work so hard all year long and truly set the tone at their schools, so they are so deserving of this recognition.
Later, the board ratified the appointment of Arlington ISD’s new Chief Schools Officer, Dr. Brett Champion. Dr. Champion brings more than 34 years of experience in public education, including 23 years in district leadership roles.
Then Arlington ISD’s new new Chief Communications Officer, Taina Northington, presented the 2025-26 Marketing Plan framework. Major goals of the plan include increasing student enrollment and retaining current students. The plan incorporates recommendations from the recent communications audit conducted by the National School Public Relations Association.
The board then heard a presentation from Aaron Perales, executive director of engagement, equity and access. He gave an update on the district’s family engagement efforts and highlighted how they line up with the board’s priorities.
Finally, the board approved the bid for the construction of an addition at the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center. This is a 2019 Bond project that will add 10 classrooms, including an electrical lab and two construction labs. The addition will also be constructed as a storm shelter for the campus.
Those are just a few of the highlights from tonight. If you would like more details on any of these, or any of the items not covered in this Board Brief, please click here to watch the entire meeting.