May 11, 2026 Newsletter
May 11, 2026 – Volume 20 Number 19
Highlights:
* City Council approved 170 more townhomes in southeast Arlington.
* City Council to meet Tuesday to canvas the election results.
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:
Tuesday, May 12: Special AISD Board meeting, 7:45am.
Tuesday, May 12: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, May 13: P&Z meeting, Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at 4:45pm)
Monday, May 18: Primaries Runoff Early Voting Begins.
Tuesday, May 19: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, May 20: 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.)
Thursday, May 21: AISD Special 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.)
Friday, May 22: Primaries Runoff Early Voting Ends.
Monday, May 25: Memorial Day Holiday.
Tuesday, May 26: Primaries Runoff Election Day, 7:00am – 7:00pm.
Wednesday, June 3: P&Z meeting, Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm)
Thursday, June 4: 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.)
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.)
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The Arlington City Council met for a full slate of meetings this Tuesday, May 5. They approved 170 more townhomes in southeast Arlington. They will meet again this Tuesday evening to canvass the election results (agenda).
Committee Meetings
The Municipal Policy Committee did not meet for lack of a quorum. They had planned to discuss Honorary Naming (presentation)/President's Corner Facility naming opportunities (presentation) and a construction chapter update (TX2835), single-stair residential buildings (presentation) and the 2023 National Electrical Code (presentation).
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee met to discuss multi-family inspection and international maintenance codes (presentation) and expanded multi-family recycling (presentation).
Afternoon Meeting
The meeting may be viewed at: arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5438 .
(3:48) Start of meeting. Mr. Piel and Mr. Hogg did not appear to be present.
They started with an executive session which included:
- possible sale and conveyance of 2903 Zinfandel Lane
- Entertainment District sidewalk settlement at 405 N. Collins Street
- Shadow Drive Sewer Main replacement settlement at 1901 Northeast Green Oaks Boulevard
- offers of incentives to business prospects.
(1:31:07) They reconvened. Mr. Piel and Mr. Hogg still did not appear to be present. The open portion of the afternoon meeting agenda included two work session items, one informal staff report, committee reports, and an external committee report.
Two Work Session items:
(1:31:07) 1. Efforts to combat human trafficking during FIFA (presentation). About 1:44:25 it was opened to council questions.
(1:50:36) 2. Council priority – grow our economy (presentation). About 2:00:13 it was opened to council questions.
(2:03:14) The informal staff report addresses Flock Safety Data (staff report).
(2:09:13) Committee meetings.
(2:16:05) Evening agenda items.
(2:25:02) Council external committees.
(2:50:59) Future agenda items. It included farewell remarks to Ms. Boxall.
Evening Meeting
The agenda for the evening meeting included two executive session items, minutes, 27 consent agenda items, and four public hearings. It may be viewed at: arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5439 . Council members Piel and Hogg were not present.
(4:55) Start of meeting. There were three proclamations. Two executive session items were approved, 7-0. Minutes were approved, 7-0.
(21:37) Consent agenda. There was one speaker on item 8.17, for the release of grant funds for the homeless. The consent agenda was approved, 7-0.
Consent agenda item 8.26 was compensation adjustments for council appointees (city attorney – 7.5% increase, city auditor – 17.67% increase, and presiding municipal court judge – 4.28% increase) (staff report).
Consent agenda item 8.27 was an amended timeline (city not holding the other party accountable to the agreed upon terms) for Texas Trust Credit Union (staff report).
(28:14) The first public hearing was for a noise monitor license agreement with DFW International Airport (staff report). It was approved, 7-0.
(29:42) The second public hearing was for an historic stay on a demolition permit for 513 S. Center Street (staff report). A stay of 30 more days (vs. 90 days) was approved, 7-0.
(48:31) A description of activities over the past four years of the Debbie Lane area (subject of the next two public hearings).
(53:03) The third public hearing was for PD21-28R1 (Harmony Court at 800 Debbie Lane) (staff report). They are wishing to add back certain uses for CC (community commercial) that were specifically prohibited in the original approval. There were no speakers in opposition. This was approved, 5-2, with Hunter and Boxall in opposition.
(1:16:29) The fourth public hearing was for PD25-22 (1120 Debbie Lane and 8380 Glenn Day Drive) (staff report). They wish to build 170 townhomes plus still have an “undefined” commercial piece. The revision (since P&Z) has not been received yet at the time of the agenda posting along with another issue regarding the P&Z requirements. There are five deviations. Certain citizen leaders were not happy with the passing of this at P&Z. Lance Murray of the Arlington Report has an article on this project at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/04/30/pz-narrowly-approves-southeast-arlington-townhome-development/ . There were four speakers in opposition. Their arguments were the concern of the gas wells less than 600 feet away (only 300 feet are needed when building near an existing gas well). It was approved, 4-3, with Galante, Hunter, and Boxall in opposition.
(1:59:31) Citizen participation. There were four speakers registered. The first speaker spoke on homelessness part VI. The second person spoke on a police officer. The third speaker spoke on Arlington history, discovering Locomotive 642. The fourth speaker was a candidate of the May 2 election.
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???].
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
We do not know the date of the next EDC Board meeting.
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Wednesday, June 3, 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.
On Wednesday, June 3, 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 Wednesday, June 3, P&Z 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 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 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, P&Z 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 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 ???, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA26-03, at 911 S. Davis Drive. They wish to change the zoning from RS-7.2 to NC (neighborhood commercial) on 2.454 acres.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
P&Z Commission
P&Z will meet this Wednesday, May 13. The only public hearing has requested a continuance. The agenda can be found at: https://granicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/arlingtontx/ff78ba8ecc84d7318cffe1c8bca0448d0.html .
The applicant for the only public hearing (PD25-08) has requested it be continued until June 17.
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board met this past Thursday, May 7. The agenda can be found at: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=739535 .
They started with a workshop on academic growth. The workshop is viewable at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptqAw6zJdHA .
They then went into executive session to discuss personnel, potential and pending litigation, the non-renewal of someone specific's contract, and a discussion of board member duties and responsibilities.
The open portion of the meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltoW8BrzfeM . Ms. Haynes attended virtually.
(40:43) Open forum for agenda items. There were no speakers.
Committee and staff reports.
(41:17) Bond election report. Items are even on this meeting's consent agenda (no need to have official results).
(53:50) Key progress measures – Marketing & Engagement (presentation). It was opened to the board for questions about 1:04:31.
(1:16:32) Key progress measures – Student Experience (presentation). About 1:21:55 it was opened to the board for questions.
(1:25:11) Public hearing on End of Course Assessment (presentation). There were no speakers.
Four Action Items.
(1:33:30) Approval of teacher probationary and term contracts. It was approved, 7-0.
(1:34:39) Approval of administrative and professional staff probationary and term contracts. It was approved, 7-0.
(1:35:43) Nomination to Region 11, Position C on Texas Association of School Board (TASB) Board of Directors. Trustee Chapa was nominated, and approved, 7-0.
(1:37:43) Non-renewal of contract of a specific individual.
(1:40:06) Consent agenda. No discussion. It was approved 7-0.
(1:40:35) Open Forum for non-agenda items. There were no speakers.
(1:40:43) End of meeting reports.
The Board Brief by Mr. Mike may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpNCnSgXROs .
The board has a special meeting this Tuesday morning for canvassing the election results. The agenda is at: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=742938 .
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 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
AISD to Cut [non-teacher] Positions
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 .
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) = 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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