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We reviewed the upcoming agenda for ARLINGTON ISD and found 7 items with policy significance ahead of the vote.
| PRIORITY (LEVEL 7) |
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District to Approve Restorative Practices Consultant
The consent agenda includes RFP 27-06b, a list of pre-approved academic and professional development consultants. The list includes ‘Best Southwest Restorative Practices,’ signaling the district’s intent to use vendors specializing in discipline alternatives that often replace traditional consequences like suspension or expulsion.
Policy Use
TRACK AND DOCUMENT: The approval of ‘Best Southwest Restorative Practices’ on the vendor list in Consent Agenda Item 12.C (RFP 27-06b) indicates a move toward restorative discipline. Monitor future board agendas for contracts with this vendor and for proposed changes to the student code of conduct.
Policy Lever: Discipline Policy Shift
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| WATCH (LEVEL 6) |
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District to Approve SEL-Aligned Vendor
The consent agenda’s RFP 27-06b for pre-approved consultants includes ‘Capturing Kids’ Hearts.’ This program is a widely used Social Emotional Learning (SEL) framework focused on relationship-building in the classroom. Its approval as a vendor opens the door for district-wide or campus-level implementation.
Policy Use
WATCH: The approval of ‘Capturing Kids’ Hearts’ on the vendor list in Consent Agenda Item 12.C (RFP 27-06b) is a precursor to potential SEL implementation. Add the district to the state SEL tracker and monitor for specific contracts or training purchases.
Policy Lever: SEL Program Adoption
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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District to Spend $160,000 on Brand Redesign
The board is set to approve a $160,000 contract with CEL Public Relations for a ‘Districtwide Brand Redesign and Launch’ under RFP 27-21. Large-scale branding initiatives can be used to introduce and normalize DEI concepts through new logos, messaging, and communication standards.
Policy Use
WATCH: The board will vote on a $160,000 contract for brand redesign in Consent Agenda Item 12.C (RFP 27-21). Request the full proposal from CEL Public Relations to review the scope of work for DEI-related language or objectives. Monitor the rollout of the new brand.
Policy Lever: $160,000 Local Funds
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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District to Approve Contract with Chamber of Commerce
The consent agenda includes an item to approve a contract with the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce for 2026-2027. Chambers of Commerce engage in legislative lobbying on education and economic issues, potentially opposing AFPI priorities like school choice or fiscal restraint. The contract details and cost are not provided.
Policy Use
PULL THE DOCUMENT: For Consent Agenda Item 12.E, retrieve the contract with the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce to determine the cost and any terms related to legislative advocacy before the vote.
Policy Lever: Undisclosed
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✅ Models to Replicate
Local actions worth capturing as model policy.
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| Model Policy (LEVEL 10) |
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District Prohibits Race and Sex in Gifted & Talented Selection
The board will vote on Policy Update 127, which includes revisions to policy EHBB. The new language explicitly prohibits using race, ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, or disability as a scoring value in the selection process for the gifted and talented program, codifying merit-based criteria.
How to Capture It
CAPTURE THE MODEL: Item 11.A contains model language in policy EHBB prohibiting identity-based criteria in G&T programs. Secure the final adopted policy text and add it to the state model policy file as a best-practice example for other districts.
✅ Why It Matters: Merit-Based Education
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| Model Policy (LEVEL 10) |
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District Bans DEI Duties for All Employees
Policy Update 127 introduces new language in policies DH (Employee Standards of Conduct) and BJCF (Superintendent Nonrenewal). The changes explicitly prohibit employees from engaging in or assigning ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) duties’ and make it a fireable offense for the superintendent, representing a direct local implementation of state-level prohibitions.
How to Capture It
CAPTURE THE MODEL: Item 11.A contains model language in policies DH and BJCF that operationalizes a ban on DEI duties. Secure the final adopted text to share with state affairs teams as a model for local implementation of state law.
✅ Why It Matters: DEI Prohibition
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| Model Policy (LEVEL 10) |
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District Prohibits Staff from Assisting in Student Social Transitioning
As part of Policy Update 127, the board will vote on changes to policy DH (Employee Standards of Conduct). A new section explicitly prohibits any employee from assisting a student with ‘social transitioning,’ including providing information or guidelines, which strongly reinforces parental rights.
How to Capture It
CAPTURE THE MODEL: Item 11.A’s update to policy DH is a critical win for parental rights. Secure the final adopted text as a model for other Texas districts to implement state law regarding gender identity and social transitioning in schools.
✅ Why It Matters: Parental Rights
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“America First, Always.”
AFPI exists to advance policies that put the American people first. Our guiding principles are liberty, free enterprise, national excellence, American military superiority, foreign-policy engagement in the American interest, and the primacy of American workers, families, and communities in all we do.
America First Policy Institute
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