June 8, 2026 Newsletter
June 8, 2026 – Volume 20 Number 23
Highlights:
* Early voting for City Council District 8 continues today, 7:00am – 7:00pm. Early voting ends Tuesday. Election Day is Saturday.
* The city council has five public hearings on Tuesday.
* School board met last Thursday. The budget does not have pay raises, but does have a health insurance benefit increase.
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, June 8: Early voting continues for city council runoff election, 7:00am-7:00pm.
Tuesday, June 9: Early voting ends for city council runoff election, 7:00am-7:00pm.
Tuesday, June 9: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 9:00am, 2:00pm, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Saturday, June 13: City Council Runoff Election, 7:00am – 7:00pm.
Tuesday, June 16: 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.)
Wednesday, June 17: P&Z meeting, Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm)
Sunday, June 21: Fathers' Day.
Tuesday, June 23: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Saturday, July 4: 250 Years. Happy Birthday America.
Wednesday, July 15: P&Z meeting, Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm)
Tuesday, August 4: 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 for a full slate of meetings on Tuesday, June 9. The first of three committee meetings will be at 9:00am. The afternoon meeting starts at noon and goes into executive session. The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 2:00pm. The evening meeting is at 6:30pm.
Committee Meetings
The Municipal Policy Committee will meet at 9:00am and is expected to spend 45 minutes on SB2835 (single-stair residential buildings) (presentation, proposed ordinance) and the federal and state legislative agendas (presentation, federal agenda, state agenda).
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee will meet at 10:00am and is expected to spend an hour on multi-family inspections (presentation).
The Transportation and Municipal Infrastructure Committee will meet at 11:15am and is expected to spend 30 minutes on a Handi-tran update (presentation). It appears they might start charging riders of other cities and/or other cities more to use the service.
Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting begins at noon and will go into executive session to discuss the Douglas Rhoades lawsuit, the Linda Ward lawsuit, the potential sale of 2903 Zinfandel Lane, potential purchase of property for affordable housing, and offers of incentives to business prospects.
The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 2:00pm. That portion of the agenda includes three work session items, two informal staff reports, committee meetings, appointments (list), evening agenda items, external committees, and future agenda items.
The three work session items are:
1. UTA update (no presentation available).
2. Budget update (FY26 and proposed FY27) (no presentation available but will probably be there Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday).
3. 5-year Street Maintenance Plan (presentation, attachment).
The two informal staff reports:
1. Opportunity (aka low-income) Zone application to the Governor's Office. The program is to promote areas to encourage development. Somehow the first two (Collins and I-30) qualify as low-income?. The city is submitting eight areas along Collins and East Pioneer Parkway. The city has one area already that has NOT been successful (staff report and parcels map).
2. External Board appointments (staff report).
Evening Meeting
The agenda for the 6:30pm evening meeting has appointments (list), minutes, 39 consent agenda items, five public hearings, and an amendment to the transportation code (staff report).
The five public hearings:
1. A public hearing to extend the term of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) #1 (staff report). This extends the TIRZ from December 31, 2038 until December 31, 2058. [Commentary: What a TIRZ does is basically freeze the prices paid to the general fund for an area. So, in this case the downtown area's contribution to the general fund is frozen at 1998 prices, meaning (who?), the rest of us, make up that difference. This ordinance will extend that freeze from 40 to 60 years. The funds go to the control of a TIRZ board that now can prioritize its projects over, instead of competing against, other general fund projects.]
2. A public hearing on PD23-6R1 at 1915&1921 W. Arkansas Lane (staff report). They wish for a revised development plan on 2.57 acres. Lance Murray of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/06/01/drainage-channel-issues-force-development-plan-revision-for-arlington-apartments/ .
3. A public hearing on PD26-03 at 6700 (+others) U.S. 287 Highway (staff report). They wish to change zoning from RS-7.2 to a planned development for RMF-22 (apartments) on 7.908 acres. Lance Murray of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/05/22/affordable-housing-pre-k-development-clears-arlington-zoning-hurdle/ . [Best use of this land – low-income apartments???]
4. A public hearing on SUP08-15R1 at 4151 Dr. MLK Jr. Drive (staff report). They wish to modify the SUP by establishing a gas drilling zone on 2.955 acres.
5. A public hearing on SUP07-17R1 at 4801 Dr. MLK Jr. Drive (staff report). They wish to modify the SUP by establishing a gas drilling zone on 4.622 acres.
Council Leftovers
The City of Arlington proposes a total project investment of an estimated $24,000,000, combining federal, state, local, and private resources for 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. So far, they have determined they will use approximately $3,850,000 in federal HOME-ARP funds. Part of the city/local funds included is $2.85 million of Arlington Housing Finance Corporation funds. Anyone's guess on the specifics of the rest of the funding?
Following demolition, the city intends to construct a new 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 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.
So, has anyone divided that out? $24,000,000 / 70 units = $342,857/unit [cost of a house???].
Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article on the Arlington homelessness and the mention of this project by the mayor. That article can be found at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/05/21/arlington-to-boost-permanent-housing-for-homeless-as-feds-slash-funding/ .
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
We do not know when the EDC will next meet.
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, June 9, the city council will hold a public hearing to extend the term of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) #1.
On Tuesday, June 9, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD23-6R1, at 1915&1921 W. Arkansas Lane. They wish for a revised development plan on 2.57 acres.
On Tuesday, June 9, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD26-03, at 6700 (+others) U.S. 287 Highway. They wish to change zoning from RS-7.2 to a planned development for RMF-22 (apartments) on 7.908 acres.
On Tuesday, June 9, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP08-15R1, at 4151 Dr. MLK Jr. Drive. They wish to modify the SUP by establishing a gas drilling zone on 2.955 acres.
On Tuesday, June 9, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP07-17R1, at 4801 Dr. MLK Jr. Drive. They wish to modify the SUP by establishing a gas drilling zone on 4.622 acres.
On Tuesday, June 16, the AISD will have a public hearing on their budget. [ https://classifieds.mcclatchy.com/marketplace/fortworth/advert/-Notices_230490 ]
On Wednesday, June 17, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-8, at 2100 S.E. Green Oaks Boulevard. They wish to change the CC (community commercial) to a planned development plus a car wash.
On Wednesday, June 17, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-21, at 1013 N. Mesquite Street. They wish to change from RS-7.2 to a planned development for RM-12 (usually townhomes) on 0.924 acres.
On Tuesday, June 23, the city council will hold a public hearing on an access easement at the Arlington Golf Club (required by Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code).
On Tuesday, June 23, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP26-01, at 911 S. Davis Drive. (They wish for a daycare center.) on 2.454 acres.
On Tuesday, August 4, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD25-18, at 1605 Wilma Lane. They wish to change zoning from RS-7.2 to a planned development for RS-5 (small lots) on 2.919 acres.
On ???, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-17, at 2002 Wynn Terrace. They wish for a planned development for RM-12 zoning for a cottage community on 2.035 acres.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
P&Z Commission
P&Z will meet Wednesday, June 3. The agenda can be found at: https://granicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/arlingtontx/31201bb1bdd52b3022abd409d5c06db90.html . The meeting may be viewed at: http://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=10&clip_id=5460 .
Of the originally planned four public hearings:
PD25-17 (2002 Wynn Terrance) will be continued indefinitely, meaning we do NOT know when it will be heard, and it will need to be public noticed again before the public hearing is held.
PD25-21 (1013 N. Mesquite Street) will be continued to the June 17 meeting.
(5:20) The first public hearing is for SUP26-01 for a daycare center at 911 S. Davis Drive (staff report). This is the St. Alban's Church. There were no opposition speakers. It was approved, 7-0.
(15:29) The second public hearing is for PD25-18 (1605 Wilma Lane). They wish to have a 24-house tiny lot planned development (staff report). There are nine deviations. There was a petition in opposition with 278 signatures. There were two speakers in opposition. There were about 20 nonspeakers in opposition. It was approved, 5-1-1.
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board met this past Thursday, June 4. That agenda can be found at: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=746703 . The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c38kt-Pqj-U . The Board Brief by Ms. Fowler can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRfAOQ5NB6M&pp=ugUEEgJlbtIHCQkoCwGHKiGM7w%3D%3D .
Because of the length of the meeting, I have NOT had an opportunity to review/summarize it and will do so next week. However, Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article from this meeting stating how employees will NOT be getting raises [but will be getting gains in health insurance benefits] at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/06/05/arlington-isd-employees-will-not-see-a-raise-as-district-fights-budget-shortfall/ .
The agenda included:
Executive session to discuss personnel, pending and potential lawsuits, and roles, responsibilities, and legal requirements of trustees.
(Times) are from an early version of that web address before the meeting was available for viewing.
(3:28) Recognitions.
Open forum for agenda items.
(48:14) Appointments.
Committee and Staff Reports.
(1:00:10) 1. Governance Committee Report.
(1:01:03) 2. Citizens Bond Oversight Commitee Report (presentation).
(1:38:03) 3. District Improvement Plan Performance Objectives Report.
(1:54:35) 4. Academic Screener Report (presentation).
(2:18:28) 5. Sixth grade what's next steps committee report.
Public hearings.
(3:58:34) 1. Optional Flexible School Day Program 2025-26.
(4:03:08) 2. Optional Flexible School Day Program 2026-27.
(4:05:41) Non-agenda items.
Action items.
(4:25:52) Compensation plan.
(???) Student code of conduct.
(5:10:52) ??? Probationary and term contracts for administration.
(5:11:44) Consent agenda.
(5:12:29) End-of-meeting reports.
The board will meet again on Tuesday, June 16. That meeting will include a public hearing [ https://classifieds.mcclatchy.com/marketplace/fortworth/advert/-Notices_230490 ] on the budget, which should be approved by June 30.
Demographer's Findings
The school board had a workshop on Thursday, May 21 regarding the demographer's findings for the district. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/05/24/as-enrollment-declines-arlington-isd-leaders-signal-potential-school-closures/ .
Article on the STEM issue/cuts
It has been reported that the AISD leadership administration has met with staff telling them there will be cuts in positions because of the budget shortfall. That budget starts July 1. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: Positions eliminated as Arlington ISD reorganizes to address $9M shortfall | Fort Worth Report .
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/ .
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 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
Arlington Pride 2026 Canceled
Taylor Sansom of the UTA Shorthorn has an article at: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/after-4-years-of-celebration-arlington-pride-2026-is-cancelled/article_233676f4-0a56-4d7d-84ac-fa57aa0f2fb1.html .
Stadium Extension
[Commentary: Just because they believe it is legal to approve the stadium extension without the public voting, it is neither the correct nor transparent thing to do. If you talked about the finances with officials back in 2016, they would point to the ability to pay off the Cowboy bonds early, giving them the ability to build the second stadium. They would also suggest that there would be a good chance bonds would be paid off before 2048.]
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) = tom.ware
district 5 (central/east) = brittney.garcia-dumas
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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