June 29, 2026 Newsletter

Home ============ Teachers' Salaries ============ potential AISD employee child care benefit ============ Taxpayers' Funds at Risk ============ Open Letter to AISD Taxpayers ============ Citizens Defending Freedom vs. AISD Lawsuit ============== June 29, 2026 Newsletter ============= Arlington City CouncilGrades ============= AISD Board Grades ================ June 22, 2026 Newsletter ============ June 15, 2026 Newsletter ============ June 8, 2026 Newsletter =========== June 1, 2026 Newsletter ============ June Runoff Election ================ Jason Shelton, Candidate District 8 ============= Melody Fowler, Candidate District 8 current AISD-Place2 ================= Jim Ross, Mayor ============= Mauricio Galante, District1 ============= Raul Gonzalez, District2 ============= Nikkie Hunter, District3 ============ Tom Ware, District 4 ============= Brittney Garcia-Dumas, District 5 ============= Long Pham, District6 ============= Bowie Hogg, District7 ============== Barbara Odom-Wesley, District8 ============= Sarah McMurrough, AISDPlace1 ============= Larry Mike, AISDPlace3 ============= David Wilbanks, AISDPlace4 ========== Justin Chapa, AISDPlace5 ============= Brooklyn Richardson, AISDPlace6 ============= Leanne Haynes, AISDPlace7 ============= Fact Sheet - November 8, 2022 Election ============ ++++++++++++ ============= Kennedale Observer Homepage =========== Investigation Report =============== Kennedale Senior Tax Freeze ============== Hammack Creek Apartments Disaster ============ 1083 Bowman Springs Road Kennedale ============ Kennedale City CouncilGrades ========== Texas Open Meetings Act Violations??? ============== The Bridge ============== Kennedale Observer - Latest Newsletter ============ Prior to That Newsletter ================== Brian Johnson, Kennedale Mayor ============= David Glover, Kennedale Place 1 ============= Bryant Griffith, Kennedale Place 2 ================ Ken Michels, Kennedale Place 3 ========== Ryon Ray, Kennedale Place 4 ============= Jeff Nevarez, Kennedale Place 5 =============== Kennedale EDC MMA contract information ==============

June 29, 2026 – Volume 20 Number 26

Highlights:

* City Council “reconsiders” and NOW approves the low-income apartments that failed at the last meeting.

* City Council approved several low-income housing polices and financial support.

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

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:

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)

Wednesday, July 29: P&Z meeting, Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm)

Thursday, July 30: 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, August 4: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)

Thursday, August 13: Budget Town Hall, South Police Center.

Thursday, August 13: 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, August 26: Budget Town Hall, City Council Chambers.

Thursday, August 27: 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 past Tuesday, June 23. They “reconsidered” and have now approved the low-income apartments on U.S. 287 Highway.

Committee Meetings

The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee met to discuss multi-family inspections (presentation) and the Knox development update (presentation). [Commentary: Evidently the developer building the [Knox] low-income apartments has a funding gap, so the city is looking at several options including waiving its development fees to help out. So, the budget, which already has a deficit, will waive some of its revenue to help out, while the rest of us have to make up the difference. What part of low-income apartments makes Arlington great???]

The Arlington Housing Finance Corporation met to discuss agenda items (agenda). They received two program updates (single-family bond program and the Mayfield Park Apartments transaction) and considered for approval four resolutions. Resolutions:

a. filing with the Texas Bond Review Board for the qualified bonds and credits.

b. approving the delegation of bond issuance authority to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

c. authorizing the issuance of $55 million in bonds (Mayfield Park Apartments).

d. designating signature authority to many accounts.

[Unfortunately, the detailed information was not readily made available to the public.]

The Economic Development Committee met [in secret] to discuss offers of incentives to business prospects.

Afternoon Meeting

The afternoon meeting can be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5493?view_id=9&redirect=true . All council members appeared present at the start.

(8:22) Start of meeting. They went into executive session to discuss:

1. landfill lease agreement,

2. sidewalk agreements with 301 & 305 E. Division Street,

3. personnel (council appointees), and

4. offers of incentives to business prospects.

(1:53:15) They reconvened for the open portion of the afternoon meeting. That portion of the agenda included three work session items, four informal staff reports, and [many] appointments (list). Council Member Hunter did not appear to be present.

Work session items:

(1:53:30) 1. Innovate Arlington Comprehensive Plan (presentation). About 2:12:37 they spent a lot of time and asked a few questions in the middle of the presentation on this screen [controversial, change]. About 2:56:28 it was officially opened to the council.

(3:34:07) 2. Stormwater Program update (presentation). About 4:00:00 it was opened to the council.

(4:22:55) 3. Council Priority – Strengthening our communities (presentation).

(4:31:43) Informal staff reports:

1. Election activities at municipal polling places (staff report).

2. Health Services and programs in Arlington (staff report).

3. Commercial motor vehicle parking update (staff report).

4. City Wise software (staff report).

(4:49:31) Committee reports.

(4:56:05) Evening agenda items.

(4:57:31) Outside committee reports.

Evening Meeting

The agenda for the evening meeting included 43 consent agenda items, five public hearings, and a reconsideration of the low-income apartments that failed at the last meeting. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5494?view_id=9&redirect=true . All council members were present.

(30:12) Start of meeting. There was a proclamation of the city's birthday (150 years). There was a proclamation for the country's birthday (250 years). There was a proclamation for the Junior League. Barbara Odom-Wesley received an award for her service for the National League of Cities from U.S. Congressman Veasey. Canvassing of the election results was approved, 9-0. At about 53:52 the council members had an opportunity to say final words to Barbara Odom-Wesley. About 1:05:30 Dr. Shelton took the oath of office.

(1:12:14) The city council went into executive session. [I am guessing to tell the new council member about executive session item he was about to be voting on.] At about 1:58:37 they reconvened.

(1:59:18) Appointments, one executive session (301/305 E. Division Street) item, minutes. Each item was approved with 9-0 votes.

(2:04:19) Consent agenda 43 items. Consent agenda item 11.11 is for $2,118,970 for the dredging of Green Oaks Boulevard Pond (staff report , map). There were two speakers in opposition of item 11.22 and two speakers in opposition of item 11.23 (the approving of the gas drill zones). The consent agenda was approved, 9-0.

(2:22:39) The first public hearing was a Specific Use Permit (SUP26-01) for a daycare at 911 S. Davis Drive [St. Albans] (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.

(2:31:35) The second public hearing was for the addition of the Caravan Court Hotel to the Arlington Tourism Public Improvement District (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.

(2:34:20) The third public hearing was for a public easement at 1516 W. Green Oaks Boulevard [Lake Arlington Golf Course] (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.

(2:40:16) The fourth public hearing was for gas well permits (GW26-005) at 4151 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (staff report). There was one speaker in opposition. It was approved, 8-1, with Shelton in opposition.

(2:45:05) The fifth public hearing was for gas well permits (GW26-006) at 4801 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (staff report). It was approved, 8-1, with Shelton in opposition.

(2:46:13) The reconsideration of the low-income apartments at 6700 (plus other numbers) US 287 Highway, PD26-03 (staff report). There are at least four deviations. 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/ . This item failed at the June 9 meeting. [Best use of this land – low-income apartments???] It is not compliant with the Comprehensive Plan or the US 287 Corridor Plan. The reconsideration was approved, 6-3, with Gonzalez, Hunter, and Hogg in opposition. The zoning was now approved, 6-3, with Gonzalez, Hunter, and Hogg in opposition. [Commentary: This is sickening...]

(3:02:07) Citizen participation. The first present speaker wanted a white-collar crimes unit. The second speaker spoke on a flooding issue.

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 issue 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 the date of the next EDC meeting.

Upcoming Public Hearings

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 Tuesday, August 4, the city council 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.

# # # # # # # # # # # #

P&Z Commission

P&Z met on Wednesday, June 17. They have NOT put the recorded video online at the time of this writing. I will need to report on the results next week. The agenda can be found at: https://granicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/arlingtontx/e0fc015ac9a51593fa4e23bc2f1788660.html . The meeting may be viewed at: http://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5482?view_id=10&redirect=true .

(5:47) The only zoning case scheduled to be heard was PD25-21 at 1013 N. Mesquite Street (staff report). They wish to build four buildings with ten attached townhomes on 0.924 acres. It was approved, 8-0.

AISD School Board

The next school board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 30.

AISD Budget approved

Consider the adoption of the 2026-27 Budget (presentation , very high level overview). The budget was approved, 7-0. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/06/17/arlington-isd-trustees-adopt-nearly-60m-budget-shortfall-amid-declining-enrollment/ .

Sixth Grade to Move to Junior Highs in 2027

Moving sixth grade to the junior highs was approved, 5-2, with Wilbanks and Fowler opposed (presentation). Bianca Rodriguez-Mora of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/06/18/arlington-isd-moves-6th-grade-to-junior-high-level-despite-parent-concerns/ .

AISD Employees will NOT get raises

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/ .

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

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

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