February 19, 2026 School Board Meeting Notes
Meeting Open: Chair Bethany Zecher Sutton opened the meeting, which was followed by recognition of employees of APS meeting certain employment year benchmarks. February is School Board appreciation month, and the head of the County Council of Parent Teacher Organizations (CCPTA) then appeared to thank the School Board and its staff.
Consent Agenda Unanimously Adopted
Approved new appointments at APS
Approved appointments and changes to School Board Advisory Committees
Approved religious exemption for 2025-26 school year
In connection with the consent agenda item for the approval of the Multi-Year Support Plan for Federally Identified Schools, APS gave the following presentation:
10 elementary schools and 1 high school were identified under federal law for additional support
APS updated its needs assessment process per guidance from the state for these schools
The performance of Students with Disabilities was a problem in all 10 identified elementary schools
An APS staff member walked through the School Action Plans that are required
APS has begun to implement these plans already
Every school has a dedicated support team that is meeting with the school monthly
The support plans are available on each individual school’s website
Board Announcements
Superintendent’s proposed budget presentation will be on February 26th
The School Board and the Superintendent will make their annual appearance at the Arlington County Civic Federation on March 10th
Next School Board meeting is on March 12th
School Board is accepting nomination for the honored citizens award for APS
The Virginia School Board Association designates the third week of February as School Board Clerk Appreciation Week. Various School Board members thanked the School Board clerk for her hard work.
Kathleen Clark commented on how a number of the long-time APS employees celebrating benchmark anniversaries this week were APS graduates, a demonstration of appreciation of APS
Superintendent’s Announcements and Updates
Superintendent Dr. Durán thanked School Board staff for their work.
Dr. Durán delivered his second quarter report, with updates on student achievement, attendance, school climate, and upcoming fiscal planning. He reported encouraging trends, including continued reductions in chronic absenteeism across all student groups, improvements in disciplinary outcomes, and enhanced school climate efforts.
Dr. Durán described expanded monitoring of bullying complaints and implementation of a new electronic system to track investigations and outcomes.
He also previewed the FY 2027 proposed budget, emphasizing the district’s focus on student well-being, academic improvement, staffing stability, and operational efficiency. The School Board will present its proposed budget on March 26th.
Dr. Durán highlighted upcoming work sessions and public hearings that would allow community input into the budget development process
APS will be hosting its Countdown to Kindergarten session in English and Spanish via Zoom, and a recording will be available
Academic progress reports for the second quarter are available and academic screener results for middle of the year will soon be available
Every Student Counts video focused on Career and Technical Education at APS
APS Bright Spot: The County’s School-Based Behavioral Health Program received an award, and the County Staff thanked APS for their critical partnership with the County
Zecher Sutton said parents of high school students can get their child’s GPA via emailing their counselor. Zecher Sutton mentioned the difficulty of finding the GPA in ParentVue.
Public Comment
An Arlington high school teacher spoke in opposition to staff having to use an app on their personal cell phone to enter the building.
The Arlington principal spoke in support of moving the Langston program to the Grace Hopper Center.
The head of the Arlington Tech Advisory Committee spoke in opposition to moving the Langston program to the Grace Hopper Center.
A former APS parent spoke about how HB Woodlawn dissuaded his son who is a Student with Disabilities from attending HB Woodlawn.
The chair of the APS Science Advisory Committee spoke in favor of the academic advisory committees.
An APS middle school teacher spoke in opposition to staff having to use an app on their personal cell phone to enter the building.
An Arlington parent spoke in support of moving the Langston program to the Grace Hopper Center.
An APS high school teacher spoke about, among other things, how bureaucratic issues are causing delays in hiring of teachers.
An APS elementary school teacher spoke about Hoffman-Boston’s importance in the history of Arlington and building needs.
An Arlington parent spoke in support of moving the Langston program to the Grace Hopper Center.
An APS teacher spoke on the need to improve services to Students with Disabilities.
An Arlington resident spoke in support of moving the Langston program to the Grace Hopper Center.
Monitoring Item #1 – FY 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Monitoring Memo & Presentation
An APS staffer gave the presentation on the financial progress of the current school year on its budget and if any budget adjustments need to be made
Turner asked about the operating funds, and what caused an $11.3 million variance of additional funds.
Zecher Sutton asked about the $10.6 million projection of additional funds for a projected year-end close-out.
Monitoring Item #2 – Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Consulting Contracts Audit, Results, Presentation
The board reviewed findings from recent audits of safety preparedness and consulting contracts. Staff outlined improvements in emergency response planning, coordination with first responders, and integration of student-specific needs into crisis planning processes, particularly for Students with Disabilities.
Administrators stressed the importance of including emergency protocols within Individualized Education Program (IEP) planning, ensuring families are engaged in preparedness discussions, and maintaining consistent procedures across schools. The audit also addressed oversight of consulting contracts, recommending tighter documentation, accountability, and clearer deliverables.
Board members broadly supported the findings and emphasized the need for continued oversight and refinement of emergency response systems to ensure student and staff safety.
Action Item – Proposed Changes to Nontraditional Programs
APS staff conducted additional community engagement in February
Superintendent’s recommendations:
Approve the development of the Alternative Learning Program to be located at Syphax
Approve the development of the Flexible Learning Program to be located at Arlington Community High School
Approve the development of the Multilingual Program that incorporates English Learner services previously delivered by English Learner Institute
Approve the relocation of Langston Program including New Directions to Grace Hopper Center
Zuraya Tapia-Hadley asked about what the profile a student in the Multilingual Program would be. She also asked whether a student could be a member of multiple of these programs noted above.
The Board members provided comments on the recommendations:
Tapia-Hadley read a letter from a Langston parent concerned about the move and wanting it paused. However, she said she no longer wants to postpone the vote, citing the negative comments about Langston students that she heard and not wanting to subject students further negative comments. She also thought the Langston students deserved the additional resources of the Grace Hopper Center.
Clark spoke also about the negative comments about the Langston students that had been made during this process, and noted that she is an Arlington Tech parent too. She also felt the Grace Hopper Center should reflect the entire APS community.
Turner thanked staff for their additional community input process. She said she was concerned that a core concern of Langston (self-contained environment) would not be served by the move, to serve a non-core concern. She said she could not vote in favor to move Langston, but would be voting in favor of the rest of the recommendations.
Monique Clark spoke about systemic bias, and it harming trust in underserved communities as a background for her decision-making process. She thanked the Langston and APS staff for providing additional community engagement. She votes yes on all 4 recommendations
Zecher Sutton said she is voting yes on all 4 recommendations.
The Board voted on each program individually
Development of the Alternative Learning Program to be located at Syphax: approved unanimously
Development of the Flexible Learning Program to be located at Arlington Community High School: approved unanimously
Approve the development of the Multilingual Program that incorporates English Learner services previously delivered by English Learner Institute: approved unanimously
Approve the relocation of Langston Program including New Directions to Grace Hopper Center: approved 4 to 1, with Turner voting no
The School Board asked for additional reporting by APS staff on the relocation of Langston Program including New Directions to Grace Hopper Center
Information Items
The School Board will be acting on these items at the next School Board meeting on March 12th.
Hoffman-Boston Elementary HVAC and Re-Roofing Construction Award
Staff presented details regarding a proposed construction contract for HVAC replacement and roof renovation at Hoffman-Boston Elementary School.
The project includes base construction work along with optional geothermal upgrades and structural enhancement.
Board members discussed timing challenges, procurement logistics, and long-term maintenance considerations.
The Board indicated support for proceeding, recognizing the educational and recreational value of upgraded playground facilities for students.
These units would improve air quality, ventilation, and system reliability.
The upgrades are part of APS’s broader infrastructure modernization strategy, focused on student health, energy efficiency, and long-term cost savings.
The Board acknowledged the importance of maintaining healthy indoor air standards and endorsed staff’s recommended approach.
