January 26, 2026 Newsletter
January 26, 2026 – Volume 20 Number 4
Highlights:
* AISD Board votes to close Blanton Elementary.
* Council to decide on 29 townhomes on Matlock Road on Tuesday.
* Filing season has begun. So far there are eleven city candidates for five positions and three candidates for the two AISD positions.
Teachers' Salaries
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html
Taxpayers' Funds at Risk:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_83.html
City Council grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_39.html
AISD Board grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_1.html
Citizens Defending Freedom vs. AISD
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_14.html
Open Letter to AISD Taxpayers
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_11.html
Arlington is a city where citizens are relegated to being spectators, rather than players on the field. The SPECTATOR helps citizens know what is happening on the field. Only a few of the in-house team members are allowed to play ball in Arlington. The SPECTATOR helps citizens understand the game.
GAME SCHEDULE:
Monday, January 26: Filing for municipal councils and ISD boards continue.
Monday, January 26: Early Voting continues for Texas Senate, District 9 Special Election, 7:00am-7:00pm.
Tuesday, January 27: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 9:45am, 3:00pm, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Tuesday, January 27: End of Early Voting for Texas Senate, District 9 Special Election, 7:00am-7:00pm.
Saturday, January 31: Election Day for Texas Senate, District 9 Special Election, 7:00am-7:00pm.
Wednesday, February 4: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Thursday, February 5: AISD Board meeting, AISD Administration Building, 690 E. Lamar Boulevard, 6:30pm. (You must be signed up online by 3:00pm if you wish to speak.)
Tuesday, February 10: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Friday, February 13: Filing for municipal councils and ISD boards [with name on the ballot] ends.
Saturday, February 14: Valentine’s Day.
Monday, February 16: President’s Day.
Wednesday, February 18: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Thursday, February 19: AISD Board meeting, AISD Administration Building, 690 E. Lamar Boulevard, 6:30pm. (You must be signed up online by 3:00pm if you wish to speak.)
Tuesday, February 24: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The Arlington City Council will meet this Tuesday, January 27, for a full slate of meetings. The first of two committee meetings is at 9:45. The afternoon meeting will start at 1:00pm and go into executive session. The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 3:00pm. The evening meeting is at 6:30pm.
Committee Meetings
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee starts at 9:45am and is expected to discuss multi-family code enforcement tools (presentation , 30 minutes) and housing tax credits applications review (no presentation available, 30 minutes).
The Municipal Policy Committee starts at 11:00am and is expected to spend an hour on form-based code updates (presentation). [Some of the presentation will consist of discussing increased density. Some of the presentation also discusses parking, which in my opinion is always the problem with form-based code.]
There will also be a quasi-committee Arlington Housing Finance Corporation meeting at 12:15pm (agenda). They are to receive an update on the proposed development at 1801 Arkansas Lane [it does not say East or West].
Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting begins at 1:00pm and goes into executive session. That portion of the agenda is to have legal discussions on:
* Parking regulations
* Federal grants compliance
* SB840
* Shadow Drive main replacement
* Offers of incentives to business prospects
The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 3:00pm. That portion of the agenda has one work session item, two informal staff reports, appointments (list), council members on external committees' reports.
The one work session item is about parking in neighborhoods (presentation).
The two informal staff reports are discussing an update on Arlington's smoking ordinance (staff report) and recycling at city and multi-family buildings (staff report).
Evening Meeting
The agenda for the 6:30pm evening meeting includes appointments, an executive session item, minutes, 33 consent agenda items, three public hearings, and two ordinances.
Consent agenda item 8.20 is another amendment to the Viridian Plan Development (staff report).
Consent agenda item 8.24 is an amendment to the firefighters meet and confer agreement (staff report).
The first public hearing is for PD25-19, 2504 S. Cooper Street, to allow a planned development for “Auto Repair Garage, Major” (staff report).
The second public hearing is for PD24-28, 5920 Matlock Road for a planned development for office and townhomes (staff report). They wish to build office commercial on the northern piece of the property and 29 townhomes on the southern portion. There are six deviations.
The third public hearing is for SUP25-8, 3409 Shorewood Court for a secondary living unit (staff report).
The two ordinances are for the May 2 election. The first is for the general election of the Mayor, District 3, District 4, District 5, and District 8 (staff report). The second is for reauthorization of sales tax election for road repairs (staff report).
Council Leftovers
Filing for the May election has begun. This year we will see the election for Mayor, District 3, District 4, District 5, and District 8. An Arlington Report article by James Hartley and Chris Moss on who filed on the first day and others that have announced to run can be found at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/01/14/arlington-council-mayor-hopefuls-can-now-officially-file-for-election-in-the-may-election/ .
Election Filings:
Mayor
(i) Jim Ross
Hunter Crow
Steve Cavender
District 3
(i) Nikkie Hunter
Kelly Burke
District 4
Tom Ware
District 5
(i) Rebecca Boxall
Brittney Garcia-Dumas
District 8
Jason Shelton
Corey Harris
Melody Fowler
# # # # # # # # # # # #
The City of Arlington proposes to use approximately $3,850,000 in federal HOME-ARP funds toward the acquisition and demolition of an existing two-story, 81,205-square-foot dilapidated motel structure at 1220 W. Division Street built in 1965 and comprised of 72 rooms. Following demolition, the city intends to construct a newly built permanent supportive housing community consisting of a minimum of 70 units. The new development will provide safe, service-enriched housing for chronically homeless individuals, veterans and their families, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations. The total project investment is estimated at $24,000,000, combining federal, state, local, and private resources. The primary objective is to expand the supply of affordable, supportive housing and promote long-term housing stability for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This project directly supports the City's strategic goals to reduce homelessness and enhance community well-being.] There are too many executive session discussions going on and I have NOT been able to get many of the details... This would mean at minimum that $3.8 million of CDBG-HOME federal funds will be used on this rather than on something else. HOME funds, generally speaking, give discounts to residents in need, paying portions of their rents.
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
We do not know the date of the next EDC Board meeting.
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, January 27, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD25-19, 2504 S. Cooper Street on 1.177 acres. They wish to change from community commercial (CC) to a PD-CC plus auto repair, major
On Tuesday, January 27, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-28, 5920 S. Matlock Road on 3.165 acres. They wish to change from office commercial (OC) to a PD-RMF-12 (usually townhomes).
On Tuesday, January 27, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP25-8, 3409 Shorewood Court on 3.165 acres. They wish to obtain a Specific Use Permit on the RF-7.2 property.
On Wednesday, February 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-20, 2201 N. Collins Street. They wish to change the current CC (community commercial) to a PD-RMF-22 multi-family for a senior independent living facility on 3.349 acres. If approved, it will go to the city council on March 10.
On Wednesday, February 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP10-23R4, 408 113th Street. They wish for high impact IM (Industrial Manufacturing) on 2.379 acres. If approved, it will go to the city council on March 10.
On Wednesday, February 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP25-10, 2102 Prestonwood Drive. They wish for a secondary living unit on 0.749 acres. If approved, it will go to the city council on March 10.
On Wednesday, February 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA25-6, at the northwest corner of I-20 Highway and Kelly-Elliott Road (3 lots). They wish to change the straight zoning from residential to NC (neighborhood commercial) on 2.727 acres. If approved, it will go to the city council on March 10.
On Tuesday, February 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD25-14, 1112 N. Collins Street. They wish to change the current CC (community commercial) to a PD-CC use plus a package liquor store.
On Tuesday, February 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP25-9, 1012 Gaye Lane. They wish to obtain a Specific Use Permit on the RF-7.2 property.
On Tuesday, February 24, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP25-11, 536 W. Randol Mill Road. They wish to obtain a Specific Use Permit for a Tattoo Parlor or Piercing Studio on a property zoned Community Commercial (CC).
# # # # # # # # # # # #
P&Z Commission
P&Z met this past Wednesday, January 21. There were two public hearings on the agenda. The agenda is at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/planning-and-development-services/documents/planning-amp-development-boards-amp-commissions/planning-and-zoning-commission/posted-agenda/planning-and-zoning-commission-regular-session-1-21-26.pdf . The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=10&clip_id=5344 .
(3:25) The first public hearing is SUP25-11, 536 W. Randol Mill Road for a specific use permit for a tattoo parlor (staff report). It was approved, 8-1.
(40:45) The second public hearing is ZA25-5, 7415 S. Cooper Street (staff report). They wish to change the zoning from community commercial (CC) to flex hybrid (FH). This case was continued indefinitely.
AISD School Board
This past TUESDAY, January 20, the AISD School Board had a special meeting where the only “real” agenda item was the closing of Blanton Elementary. The agenda can be found at: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=726421 . The meeting with a Spanish translator can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxvj1k3PAzs . All board members were present.
(1:43) Citizen forum for agenda items saw nine speakers, most were in Spanish.
(50:37) Citizen forum for non-agenda items saw one speaker regarding incidents with their special education student.
(56:03) The one agenda action item is the closure of Blanton Elementary (presentation , revised resolution). About 1:42:06 it was opened up to board comments/questions. It was revealed that a committee recommendation includes a new South Davis Elementary about 2:36:11. They started discussing the resolution about 2:48:50. It was approved, 7-0. [There is an article by Chris Moss in the Arlington Report at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/01/20/arlington-isd-trustees-vote-to-close-elementary-at-the-end-of-the-school-year/ .]
On Thursday, January 22, the AISD School Board held their regularly planned board meeting. The agenda can be found at: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=720944 . The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SquXId1gzHo . The Board Brief by Ms. Haynes can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBo3G-EERQ4 . We will do our coverage of this event in NEXT WEEK'S NEWSLETTER.
The meeting will open and they will go into executive session. The executive session includes personnel, potential and pending litigation, and the superintendent’s contract.
They hope to reconvene at 6:30pm. The open portion of the agenda includes recognitions, open forum for agenda items, committee and staff reports, one action item, the consent agenda, open forum for non-agenda items, and end-of-meeting reports.
There are three committee and staff reports:
1. Finance and Academics Committee Report.
2. Capital Needs Steering Committee (CNSC) Report and Recommendation.
3. Curriculum Audit Report (no presentation available). The audit cost $284,798.
The one action item is approval of the 2026-27 academic calendar (calendar).
AISD Election Filings:
Place 6
(i) Brooklyn Richardson
Jan Tyler
Place 7
(i) LeAnne Haynes
A Chris Moss article in the Arlington Report explores the possibility of the AISD joining the pay-for-performance teacher program offered by the state. That article can be found at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/01/07/arlington-isd-considers-texas-pay-for-performance-teacher-program/ .
AISD saw a jump in their accountability scores because of their challenge of some of the STAAR testing results. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/09/arlington-isd-sees-2025-academic-accountability-bump-after-staar-appeal/ . Also an AISD article may be found at: https://www.aisd.net/district-news/updated-district-and-campus-accountability-ratings/ .
There has been a recent Arlington Report article by Drew Shaw about the dismissed David Jarvis lawsuit against the AISD. It can be found at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/31/federal-judge-dismisses-lawsuit-against-arlington-isd-about-first-amendment-retaliation/ .
The AISD enrollment is expected to fall below 50,000 students at some point, maybe as early as the 2026-2027 school year. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has a story at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/03/arlington-isds-enrollment-projected-to-drop-below-50000-next-year/ .
The AISD will NOT be posting the Ten Commandments for now. An article by Chris Moss of the Arlington Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/11/05/arlington-isd-agrees-not-to-post-ten-commandments-amid-lawsuit/ .
The AISD Board and Superintendent have established written goals, including student improvement on the STAAR testing. The Chris Moss article in the Arlington Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/10/01/arlington-isd-school-board-sets-goals-and-expectations-for-new-school-year/ .
TEA Accountability Data:
In 2020, the AISD was tied for the highest M&O rate of all the school districts in Tarrant County. Since then, there has been NO tie. The AISD HAS the highest M&O rate in Tarrant County. [school district tax rates]
Top 5 of Tarrant County's 21 ISDs M&O Rates
1. Arlington ISD $0.802200
2. Birdville ISD $0.786900
2. Fort Worth ISD $0.786900
2. Lewisville ISD $0.786900
2. Mansfield ISD $0.786900
Teacher Salaries
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html [Arlington ISD easily pays the highest salaries, thus creating ISD inflation.] An article by Jacob Sanchez in the Fort Worth Report confirms that the Arlington ISD pays the highest salaries in Tarrant County [ https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/17/teachers-in-this-tarrant-county-school-district-earn-the-highest-salaries/ ].
Other News
US287 Highway Apartments
When we reported the January 6 City Council Meeting, we did NOT go into great detail about SB840, but mentioned how the developer had threatened to get around the city by using it. The Arlington Report has an article on the city council action by Lance Murray at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/01/14/arlington-city-council-denies-appeal-of-pz-rejection-of-apartments-on-u-s-287-site/ . In the article it mentions how they are looking at their options, including SB840.
[Commentary: SB840 was approved by the state house and senate in 2025. Basically, it allows developers to go around/bypass councils and P&Z commissioners (that work for the best interest of the citizens) to build high-density apartments or mixed-use on any commercial land in the larger cities of Texas. Members voting for this (like Chris Turner (D) from East Arlington and Grand Prairie) give the appearance of preferring their developer buddies over the citizenry.]
State Costs
Illegal Aliens Cost Texas Hospitals More Than $1 Billion in 2025 (from the January 15, 2026 Texas Minute newsletter)
* According to new data obtained from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the state's hospitals incurred more than $1 billion in health care costs related to illegal aliens during fiscal year 2025.
* Statewide totals show there were 313,742 hospital visits from illegal aliens. Emergency department visits accounted for roughly $230 million, while total inpatient care exceeded $820 million, underscoring that long-term hospitalizations, not emergency treatment alone, are driving much of the cost.
* Although hospitals are required under federal law to deliver the care, unpaid medical costs are ultimately passed along to Texans. Taxpayers absorb the burden through higher insurance rates, public hospital funding, and state health programs.
Brandon Walten’s article in the Texas Scorecard at: https://texasscorecard.com/state/illegal-aliens-cost-texas-hospitals-over-1-billion-in-2025/ .
Arlington sees 12% reduction in crime
Arlington Police are reporting a 12% decrease in crime from 2024 to 2025. The Arlington Police article: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2026/January/Arlington-Sees-Reductions-in-Crime-in-2025 . The Arlington Report also has an article by James Hartley at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/01/14/crime-in-arlington-was-down-for-the-4th-year-in-a-row-in-2025-including-2-fewer-homicides/ .
Texas Senate, District 9 Special Election
If you live in Texas Senate District 9, there will be a Special Election on January 31, with early voting ending this Tuesday (January 27). District 9 includes parts of North Arlington and many of the cities northeast of Fort Worth.
HELPFUL CONTACTS
The Spectator: www.ArlSpectator.mysite.com
to be added/deleted to/from the mailing list e-mail: ArlSpectator@yahoo.com
We can be found on Facebook at ArlSpectator.
Teachers' Salaries
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html
Taxpayers' Funds at Risk
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_83.html
City Council grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_39.html
AISD Board grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_1.html
City of Arlington website: www.arlingtontx.gov
e-mails of mayor and council:
.................... first.last@arlingtontx.gov
mayor = jim.ross
district 1 (north) = mauricio.galante
district 2 (sw) = raul.gonzalez
district 3 (se) = nikkie.hunter
district 4 (west) = andrew.piel
district 5 (central/east) = rebecca.boxall
district 6 (all) = long.pham
district 7 (all) = bowie.hogg
district 8 (all) = barbara.odom-wesley
AISD website ....................... www.aisd.net
McMurrough............ - sarahforaisd@gmail.com
Fowler ................... - fowler.aisd@gmail.com
Mike .................. - larrymike.aisd@gmail.com
Wilbanks .......... - dwilban.aisd@gmail.com
Chapa ...................... - chapa.aisd@gmail.com
Richardson ... - brooklyn.richardson.aisd@gmail.com
Haynes ................... - haynes.aisd@gmail.com
TEA Accountability Data:
ARC Political Watch Committee Reports
includes coverage of Mansfield ISD and national, state, county, & city
Texas Legislative Online:
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx
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