The Arlington ISD’s Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 2, 2025, is in the books, and here are a few of the highlights.
Atherton Elementary sixth grader Josue Chavez started the meeting by leading everyone in the pledges of allegiance. He did a great job!
The first board meeting of the month is always fun because there are student performances, the student of the month, and honors and awards.
First, the board enjoyed hearing Ousley Junior High’s decorated Panther Choir perform Es Tu Tiempo, by Francisco Nuñez. The students were directed by Christopher Wagner and Micah Stanley and sang beautifully.
Then the trustee honored the October student of the month, Tatum Skari, an outstanding senior at Arlington College and Career High School. Tatum has already completed her associate degree and is currently enrolled in two education courses at Texas Wesleyan University, giving her a head start toward her career goal of becoming an elementary teacher here in Arlington ISD. Tatum, you’re an incredible role model! Congrats!
Then the board gave its first community partner award of the school year to New Day Arlington. The nonprofit partners with five local churches to pack and deliver food to Arlington ISD schools each week, ensuring students have food to take home for the weekend. Last school year, New Day provided 28,501 bags of snacks across 40 of our schools. Thank you, New Day.
After all that, the board received several reports from senior administrators, including a potential employee childcare benefit that aligns with one of the district priorities: Talent and Resources. This benefit would help employees to provide a safe and enriching environment for their infants and toddlers ages 6 weeks to 3 years old. There’s still a long road ahead but we’re always looking for ways to retain top talent.
Next Dr. Michael Hill, gave an overview of the transportation department, from staffing and the more than 6,500 regular weekly riders to “Let’s Talk.” That’s the new online communications tool and chatbot that the transportation team is using to handle questions from parents.
Later, the board approved the formation of a new Capital Needs Steering Committee, a volunteer community advisory group that will help the board identify facility needs and make plans for a future bond. The application to serve on the Capital Needs Steering Committee is now open.
The committee will be charged with developing, reporting and recommending capital needs of the district to the board for consideration to call a future bond referendum.
Finally, the board approved an interlocal agreement with the University of North Texas that will provide an invitation to all Arlington ISD juniors in the top 25% of their class to participate in the Eagle Advantage Program. The program guarantees admission to UNT!
Those are just a few of the highlights from the meeting last night. 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.