Arlington ISD parents and community members will soon have the chance to inform trustees\u2019 future decisions \u2014 including those centered on potentially closing schools.<\/p>\n
The application period for a range of resident-led committees opened for the 2026-27 school year. The list includes new committees, including a group focusing on the future of district facilities and another on the use of technology in classrooms.<\/p>\n
Board President Sarah McMurrough said she hopes residents will consider applying for the committees to engage with what is happening in the district.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe last thing we want to do is be reactive to the changes that we are needing to pivot with,\u201d McMurrough said. \u201cWe want to take a proactive approach to the trends we are seeing and be able to make major decisions in partnership with our caring community members.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eight committees currently have open applications.<\/p>\n
What committees can you apply for now?<\/p>\n
Citizens Bond Oversight Committee for the 2026 Bond
\nCommunity Ambassadors Academy
\nDistrict Level Instructional Decision-Making
\nInstructional Calendar Committee
\nLong Range Facilities Planning Committee
\nSchool Health Advisory Council
\nSchool Library Advisory Council
\nTechnology Advisory Council<\/p>\n
You can apply for a spot on any of the committees at this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n Each advisory committee will bring recommendations to trustees for consideration. The committees will not have decision-making power. Applications will close at the end of the month.<\/p>\n The Long Range Facilities Planning Committee may have the most work ahead as the district deals with declining enrollment and aging infrastructure.<\/p>\n Enrollment projections from two demographers show Arlington ISD dropping from roughly 50,000 students to 45,000 by 2030 \u2014 a 10% decrease.<\/p>\n Related coverage: As enrollment declines, Arlington ISD leaders signal potential school closures<\/a><\/p>\n The latest round of projections showed some campuses could fall below 50% functional capacity, prompting some trustees to say AISD needs to consider school consolidation or closures.<\/p>\n Superintendent Matt Smith teed up the committee as trustees evaluated the projections and data in May.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a discussion that has to happen over the next eight months, so that we can get things underway because it doesn\u2019t all happen overnight,\u201d Smith said at the time. \u201cFrom that point, it\u2019s going to be a multiyear process based on the data that we have here in front of us.\u201d<\/p>\n Residents on the committee will be expected to walk through the data projections of both enrollment and campus usage, Chief Operations Officer Michael Hill said.<\/p>\n The buildings\u2019 condition will also play a role. In January, trustees voted to close<\/a> Blanton Elementary partly over roughly $35 million in estimated repairs.<\/p>\n Hill, who is overseeing the committee, said members will look over quite a lot of data.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s by design to give them a full picture of what some of the challenges are that we\u2019re facing,\u201d Hill said.<\/p>\n McMurrough said her hope is that the committee will help create a future vision of how the district\u2019s facilities support the student experience and how trustees can remain responsible for taxpayers\u2019 dollars.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not simply about buildings,\u201d McMurrough said. \u201cIt\u2019s about making sure our investments and resources can support the student experience we want for our kids in Arlington ISD.\u201d<\/p>\n Hill said he believes the committee can help with awareness and address declining enrollment and aging infrastructure.<\/p>\n \u201cAll of those things, and possibly something that we haven\u2019t thought about yet that the community may see as options or opportunities for,\u201d Hill said.<\/p>\n In his 14 years with the district, Hill said there hasn\u2019t been a committee focusing on the long-term plan for facilities. He said he\u2019s glad trustees are taking proactive steps to get the community involved.<\/p>\n \u201cWe go to the community when we are asking for things, i.e., bonds,\u201d Hill said. \u201cSo we continue to go to the community when we have challenges and try to continue that partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n Chris Moss is a reporter for the Arlington Report. Contact him at chris.moss@arlingtonreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n