March 16, 2026 Newsletter
March 16, 2026 – Volume 20 Number 11
Highlights:
* City Council met on Tuesday. A resolution of “no objection” for 291 apartments at 1801 E. Arkansas Lane was approved.
* AISD met on Thursday and approved 4-3 controversial Bluebonnet mathematics material. They also approved teacher incentive allotment pay for 23 campuses.
* The Arlington Housing Finance Corporation met on Tuesday to approve the ISSUANCE of $40,000,000 in bonds for the Matlock Flats.
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, March 17: St. Patrick's Day.
Tuesday, March 24: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, March 25: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Thursday, March 26: 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.)
Friday, April 3: Good Friday. City Offices closed.
Sunday, April 5: Easter.
Tuesday, April 7: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Thursday, April 9: 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, April 15: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Tuesday, April 21: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Thursday, April 23: 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, April 28: City Council Spring Retreat.
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The Arlington City Council met this past Tuesday, March 10, for a full slate of meetings. All council members were present.
Committee Meetings
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee met to discuss multi-family recycling (presentation) and HOME review of the PY2026 Action Plan (presentation).
The Economic Development Committee met in executive session for another lopsided deal; hold onto your wallets.
The quasi-committee of the Arlington Housing Finance Corporation met with the main item on the agenda being the issuance of $40,000,000 in bonds for the Matlock Flats (for refinancing their existing construction loan). [Commentary: Why is the city getting in the loan refinancing business with buddies?]
Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting started and went into executive session. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5395 . The executive session portion of the agenda included a legal discussion of the Prestonwood Estates Homeowners Association lawsuit and offers of incentives to business prospects.
(6:42) Start of meeting. They reconvened at about 1:59:47.
The four work session items are:
(1:59:47) Lake Arlington Golf Course proposed access agreement (presentation , agreement). About 2:13:40 it was opened to the council for questions.
(2:39:45) FIFA World Cup 2026 (presentation). About 2:46:54 questions were asked.
(2:54:35) 2026 Capital Budget (presentation). About 3:07:38 they started discussing $120 million public safety building. About 3:13:45 they discussed $80 million investment in downtown. About 3:15:48 it was opened up for council questions.
(3:26:33) Water Utilities End of Year 2025 Report (presentation). About 3:40:11 it was opened to questions.
(3:46:56) The two informal staff reports were:
Periodic review of the Code of Ordinances (staff report).
2025 Landmark Preservation Annual report (staff report , annual report).
(4:01:32) Committee meetings.
(4:06:59) Evening agenda items.
(4:15:44) External Committees.
(4:21:45) Future agenda items.
Evening Meeting
The agenda for the evening meeting included 23 consent agenda items, three zoning case public hearings, an INDYCAR support contract resolution (staff report), and a consideration to call a public hearing of a failed P&Z case. All council members were present. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5396 .
(2:53) Start of meeting.
(11:35) Consent agenda. Nothing was pulled for separate consideration. The consent agenda was approved, 9-0.
Consent agenda 7.18 approved the RFP method to select the best developer for city owned land at 501 N. East Street (staff report).
Consent agenda 7.20 was the city agreement with Texas Health Resources regarding sponsorship of the new ACTIV (staff report , agreement).
Consent agenda 7.21 was for a resolution of “no objection” for 291 apartments at 1801 E. Arkansas Lane (staff report).
(14:29) Public Hearing #1 was for zoning case SUP25-10 (2102 Prestonwood Drive) for a specific use permit for a secondary living unit (staff report). There were six additional speakers in support and two in opposition. It was approved, 9-0.
(52:51) Public Hearing #2 was for SUP10-23R4 (Liquitek – 408 113th Street) for a revision to a specific use permit to add a maintenance building to the site (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.
(1:03:57) Public Hearing #3 was for PD25-14 (1112 N. Collins Street) to change to a PD, including a package liquor store (staff report). It failed, 2-7, with Piel and Odom-Wesley in support [with Mr. Piel saying he was opposed, shortly before the vote???]
(1:26:20) Indycar resolution (staff report).
(1:27:37) Zoning Case ZA25-6 (Kelly Elliott Road and Interstate 20) was denied by P&Z. The council heard from the applicant for a potential zoning case public hearing (staff report). The public hearing was approved, 5-4, with Galante, Hunter, Piel, and Hogg in opposition.
(1:35:28) Citizen participation. There were 11 people preregistered. The second speaker continued from the last meeting regarding the homeless. The third speaker spoke on a house built on Royal Lane. The remaining eight speakers were not present.
Council Leftovers
The third Arlington Spectator question for the candidates: In 2023 the city council voted to require preregistration and reduce speaking time for citizen participation (at the end of the meeting). Do you agree with this move? Is two minutes enough time to describe a situation and make desired comments/solutions/etc.?
Ballot Order:
Mayor
Hunter Crow - I, would likely oppose these restrictions based on his platform of grassroots democracy:
- Opposition to Barriers: I have often emphasized that the voice of the community should be the driving force in local government. I would likely view the 5:00 p.m. preregistration deadline as an unnecessary hurdle that disenfranchises residents who cannot plan their day around a strict government cutoff.
- Support for More Time: Due to having a prior background in advocacy and student government, I would likely argue that two minutes (or one minute) is insufficient for meaningful dialogue, potentially calling for a reversal of these rules to allow at least the original three-minute standard.
- Transparency Focus: I have historically criticized the use of executive sessions to hide details from the public; I would likely link the reduction in speaking time to a broader trend of limiting transparency in Arlington City Hall.
Jim Ross – Did not respond.
Shaun Mallory – Did not respond.
Steve Cavender – Did not respond.
District 3
Kelly Burke – Two minutes could possibly be enough, but I also feel it should be based on the number of registered speakers at each meeting. If we have less speakers each speaker should get more time. If we have speakers that night it would be two minute speaking limits.
Nikkie Hunter - I believe that two minutes present a challenge for residents explaining their issues especially when those issues involve neighborhood concerns, infrastructure problems, or personal experiences that require context. Many residents feel that a little more time allows them to fully describe the situation and offer constructive solutions.
District 4
Tom Ware – Did not respond.
Rojo Meixueiro - I believe access to public comment is one of the most important ways residents participate in local government, so any changes to that process should be made carefully and with the goal of strengthening trust and expanding opportunity.
As a community organizer, I’ve experienced how restrictions can affect that trust. At the Tarrant County Commissioners Court I saw speaking time limited, and in Fort Worth City council meeting rules around public comments change and then later reverse course. Those kinds of shifts can create unnecessary confusion and make residents feel like their voices are being rushed and their opportunity taken away.
Research shows public participation is already limited. A study by the National League of Cities found that fewer than 5% of residents typically engage directly in public meetings or civic participation processes, which means the people who do show up are often representing many others in their community. Two minutes can work for a quick point, but it can be difficult to explain a real neighborhood issue in that time.
That’s why I believe education and prevention are key in this issue. Council members should make themselves available before meetings — through town halls, office hours, and neighborhood conversations — so residents have a real space to share concerns and work toward solutions before they ever reach the microphone at City Hall.
When people feel heard early and consistently, it builds the trust that good local government depends on. We are ready to listen to our residents, because we are also ready to serve them well.
Lisa Ventura - I understand that meetings must be efficiently managed. However, the purpose of the public forum is to hear from the citizens. If residents take the time to show up and speak, their City Council should take the time to listen!
If elected, I would review the policy to ensure it truly serves both goals. Options could include allowing longer speaking times when a complex situation is in discussion. We could provide multiple opportunities for residents to give us their input. We could offer opportunities on social media for discussions. I may open my office to the public at designated times. People want to be heard and they deserve to be heard!
People shouldn't be made to feel as if they are racing against the clock to get their statements out!
Arlington City Council spends enough time talking to themselves, they should spend time LISTENING!
I'm here to listen! Please contact me anytime with your concerns or comments. Lisa J. Ventura, FB: Lisa Ventura for Arlington City Council, Text: (817) 587-2337.
District 5
Rebecca Boxall – I opposed this process. However, pre-registration has given staff time to resolve some issues right away rather than after a speaker has made his/her statements. Often these are delicate personal situations that would be best addressed in a non-public forum.
2 minutes is not enough time for most topics. If there are many speakers on one topic 2 minutes may be needed to reduce overall time. Otherwise, 3 minutes with an additional rebuttal period of 3 minutes if there are comments from council would suffice.
Brittney Garcia-Dumas – Did not respond.
District 8
Jason Shelton – Did not respond.
Melody Fowler – Did not respond.
Corey Harris – Did not respond.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
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)
The EDC met this past Wednesday, March 11, at the Council Chambers. The agenda can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/march-11,-2026.pdf . There was a public hearing for the purchase of 2.4 acres (future office site) at Anthem (1400 N. Collins Street) for $3,433,188 plus closing costs.
The agenda included:
- passing the minutes (Feb 17 minutes)
- financials (no link available)
- Industry spot light-closed job ads 2025 (report)
- Outstanding projects update
- Two action items (Anthem , Dallas Business Journal agreement) [We assume both items passed.]
- Executive Director's Report (presentation)
- Executive session.
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, March 24, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD25-23, at 2301 N. Collins Street (at Brown Trail). They wish to change the CC (community commercial) to a planned development plus a billiard parlor and package liquor store.
On Tuesday, March 24, the city council will hold a public hearing on ZA26-01, at 300 W. Park Row Drive. They wish for a straight zoning change from CC (community commercial) to residential medium density (RM-12), usually townhomes.
On Wednesday, March 25, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD21-28R1, at 800 Debbie Lane. They wish to revise development plan.
On Wednesday, March 25, 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 Tuesday, April 7, the city council will hold a public hearing to update the Unified Development Code (UDC) for form-based zoning.
On Tuesday, April 7, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP08-2R1, at 8380 Glenn Day Drive. They wish to amend the current specific use permit for gas drilling.
On Tuesday, April 7, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SN-FBZD26-01, on 681.63 acres of 1162 tracts for form-based zoning. Boundaries west: Davis Street; south: UTA Boulevard; east: Willis Avenue; and north: Stanford Street.
On Tuesday, April 7, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD26-1, at 109 W. Rogers Street. They wish to revise the current development plan to allow for short-term rentals.
On Tuesday, April 7, the city council will hold a public hearing on ZA26-2, at 2401 W Green Oaks Boulevard. They wish to change the current development plan for a veterinary office to a “straight” neighborhood commercial (NC) zoning.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
P&Z Commission
P&Z is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, March 25. There appear to be two public hearings on their agenda.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board met this past Thursday, March 12. The agenda can be found at: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=729958 . The agenda included an executive session, recognitions, open forum for agenda items, two committee and staff reports, five action items, consent agenda, open forum for non-agenda items, and end-of-meeting reports. All the board members were present.
The executive session included personnel, termination of a contract, potential and pending litigation, and potential real property negotiations.
The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch_VvKM-HgI .
(35:17) The meeting was reconvened.
(38:25) Recognitions.
(1:05:33) Action item #1b. Naming Martin High baseball field, “Culbertson Field”. Approved 7-0. Action item #1a. Naming Arlington High softball field, “Edmondson Field”. Approved 7-0.
(1:42:39) Open forum for agenda items. The one speaker spoke on the Bluebonnet Learning program lacking in Algebra.
(1:47:45) Forum for non-agenda items. There was one speaker.
Two committee and staff reports.
Governance Committee – NO report.
(1:51:55) Key progress measures report: campuses in need of improvement (presentation). About 1:59:38 it was opened to the board for questions/comments.
Five action items. Took Item D out of order.
Consider naming Arlington High softball field and Martin High baseball field. Addressed earlier.
(2:13:23) Item D. Consider delegation of parameter authority of electricity procurement to the superintendent of finance (presentation). Approved, 7-0.
(2:29:52) Consider teacher incentive allotment application (presentation). Proposed recommendation includes 23 “high-need” campuses. About 2:50:27 it was opened to the board for questions/comments. It was approved, 6-1, with McMurrough in opposition.
(3:36:49) Consider approval of instructional Mathematics materials and expenditures (presentation , math materials). About 3:59:15 they discussed Bluebonnet specifically. About 4:32:05 it was opened to the board for comments/questions. It was approved, 4-3, with McMurrough, Mike, and Fowler opposed.
(6:13:16) Consider of termination of contract discussed in executive session. It was approved, 7-0.
(6:14:55) Consent agenda. Nothing was pulled or discussed. It was approved, 7-0.
(6:15:26) End-of-meeting reports.
The Board Brief of the meeting by Mr. Wilbanks can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aaP8EB6IlQ .
Question 3: Is having the highest teachers' salaries in the north Texas area a good thing? Why or why not?
AISD Ballot Order:
Place 6
Jan Tyler - It is a very good thing to have the highest salary for beginning teachers, but once you have them you need to retain them. Recently the Board has addressed the issue of retaining good teachers. Their discussions included several ideas that I did not think were as important as discipline support and curriculum support. Teachers need an instructional environment where the teacher is respected, other students are respected, and learning can occur without disruption. I believe that when classroom disruptions are reduced, all educational outcomes will improve.
Secondly, you equip your teachers with teaching materials that are consistent across the district. When students transfer from one building to another it will benefit the student and the teacher with the ease of continuity of instruction. Another factor for consideration is that teachers feel appreciated and respected when they are listened to. I think that the district should revive the district-wide grade level team leader meetings. It is a great time to share across the district what is working and not working. Respected teacher input goes a long way to building ownership of the curriculum and loyalty to the district.
Brooklyn Richardson – Did not respond.
Place 7
LeAnne Haynes - Absolutely! AISD must remain competitive with teacher salaries to attract and retain top talent in our schools. I take pride in the fact that our current board consistently prioritizes teacher compensation when we review the budget each year. We understand that having highly qualified educators in the classroom is a vital factor in promoting student engagement and achievement. Our goal is for every student in AISD to have an exceptional learning experience, and that starts with recognizing the importance of our teachers and ensuring they are compensated appropriately.
Linton Davis - Teaching is a calling, not a profession and the people that we want in our classrooms are not necessarily drawn by money. That being said, our teachers still have to eat, they have to live well, and most have children that eventually want to go to college. I don’t know if having the highest salaries is absolutely necessary, but having competitive salaries certainly is and we have that in Arlington. What we need to do to improve teacher satisfaction is to focus on having our teachers teach our kids how to think without worrying about tests and/or worrying about discipline issues within the classroom.
AISD Bond Election
https://www.aisd.net/bond-2026/
[Commentary: I have a great deal of difficulty accepting this bond. AISD has a decreasing student population from 63,000+ to maybe under 50,000 this coming school year. Other districts, in an effort to save money, have closed schools, which makes very logical sense. AISD will be closing its first school (Blanton Elementary) at the end of this school year.
The board went out of its way to add a second (unnamed/unplanned?) elementary school replacement [South Davis Elementary was the first and named school replacement], basically saying, here, raise the tax rate, give us the money and we will decide.
The board claims to make fact-based decisions; however, they seem to be failing. Where are the fact-based decisions on saving the taxpayers’ dollars and being efficient with taxpayers’ funds? Why have they not come up with plans to being more efficient with taxpayers’ funds rather than just raising the tax rate, giving them money, and having no specific plans on a second school replacement.
I say vote NO at least to Proposition A of the AISD Bond package.]
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/ ].
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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