January 19, 2026 Newsletter
January 19, 2026 – Volume 20 Number 3
Highlights:
* AISD Board will consider Blanton Elementary closure on Tuesday (a specially called meeting).
* Filing season has begun. After the first three days there are eight city candidates and only the two incumbent candidates for AISD.
* P&Z will meet Wednesday for a tattoo parlor and flex hybrid zoning case.
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 19: MLK Holiday.
Tuesday, January 20: AISD Board Special meeting to close Blanton Elementary, AISD Administration Building, 690 E. Lamar Boulevard, 6:30pm. (You must be signed up online by 3:00pm if you wish to speak.)
Tuesday, January 20: Filing for municipal councils and ISD boards continue.
Wednesday, January 21: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at 4:00pm.)
Wednesday, January 21: Start of Early Voting for Texas Senate, District 9 Special Election, 8:00am-5:00pm.
Thursday, January 22: 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, January 27: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 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.
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
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
District 3
(i) Nikkie Hunter
District 4
Tom Ware
District 5
(i) Rebecca Boxall
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)
The EDC Board met this past Tuesday, January 13. The agenda can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/january-13,-2026.pdf .
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Wednesday, January 21, P&Z 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). If approved, it will go to the city council on February 24.
On Wednesday, January 21, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA25-5, 7415 S. Cooper Street. They wish to change the current CC (community commercial) to Flex Hybrid (FH) on 2.02 acres. If approved, it will go to the city council on February 24.
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 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 SUP25-8, 3409 Shorewood Court on 3.165 acres. They wish to obtain a Specific Use Permit on the RF-7.2 property.
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 ???, 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 3.35 acres.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
P&Z Commission
P&Z met this past Wednesday, January 14. There are 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-01-14-2026-2.pdf . The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=10&clip_id=5333 .
(2:31) The first public hearing was for PD25-14 at 1112 N. Collins Street. They wished to modify the zoning from CC (community commercial) to a PD that allows for a liquor store (staff report). It passed, 5-4.
(16:51) The second public hearing was for SUP25-9 at 1012 Gaye Lane. They wished for a Specific Use Permit to allow for a secondary living unit (staff report). It passed, 7-2.
They will meet again this Wednesday, January 21. The agenda can be found 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 . There are two public hearings.
The first public hearing is SUP25-11, 536 W. Randol Mill Road for a specific use permit for a tattoo parlor (staff report).
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).
AISD School Board
The AISD held a meeting at Blanton Elementary on Wednesday, January 14, regarding the closure of the school. An Arlington Report article on the meeting by Chris Moss can be found at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/01/14/we-werent-prepared-for-it-parents-and-officials-discuss-future-of-blanton-elementary/ .
This TUESDAY, January 20, the AISD School Board is having a special meeting where the only “real” agenda item is the closing of Blanton Elementary. The agenda can be found at: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=726421 .
The agenda includes an executive session and one action item. The executive session includes personnel and potential and pending litigation.
The one action item is for the permanent closure of Blanton Elementary (no attachment of the resolution at the time of this writing).
On Thursday, January 22, the AISD School Board is holding their regularly planned board meeting. The agenda can be found at: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=720944 .
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.
- Finance and Academics Committee Report.
- Capital Needs Steering Committee (CNSC) Report and Recommendation.
- Curriculum Audit Report (no presentation available). The audit cost $284,798.
The one action item is approval of the 2036-27 academic calendar (calendar).
AISD Election Filings:
Place 6
(i) Brooklyn Richardson
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
- Arlington ISD $0.802200
- Birdville ISD $0.786900
- Fort Worth ISD $0.786900
- Lewisville ISD $0.786900
- 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
Running for Election – May 2026
Mayor Ross, Ms. Hunter (District 3) and Ms. Boxall (District 5) are running for reelection.
Andrew Piel (District 4) and Barbara Odom-Wesley (District 8) have term-limited out and are NOT eligible to run for a city council district [they are eligible to run for mayor].
Also, potentially on the ballot for May are AISD Place 6 and Place 7.
James Hartley and Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article of those who have announced on planning to run for city council and school board at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/01/14/arlington-council-mayor-hopefuls-can-now-officially-file-for-election-in-the-may-election/ .
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 .
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 starting this Wednesday (January 21). 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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