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Arlington council unanimously adopts resolution supporting school district as community urges new Post Middle School
Summary
Public commenters and school board members urged voters and described building hazards; council passed a resolution supporting the Arlington School District’s efforts and authorized the mayor to sign.
The Arlington City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution supporting the Arlington School District’s effort to provide a safe learning facility for students, after several speakers urged voters to approve a ballot measure for a new Post Middle School.
Nicholas Blake, a student at Arlington High School who attended Post Middle School, told the council the building’s “HVAC systems are severely outdated, and they run on a Windows 98 computer,” and described intermittent extreme classroom temperatures, slow Wi-Fi and repeated flooding in hallways that leaves up to “maybe 4 or 5 inches of water” between classes. Blake also said portions of ceiling fell during a gym game and expressed concern about asbestos in flooring and furniture in the older building.
Erica Knapp, Arlington School Board director for District 5 and the board’s vice chair, said the Post Middle School project is on the ballot and that votes “will be counted on February 11.” Knapp said the proposed levy totals $75,000,000 and would fund demolition of the existing building plus a new school, track, parking lot and bus lane. She told the council the district expects to receive $25,000,000 from the State Construction Assistance Program; Knapp said without that state funding the project “would have been $101,000,000.”
Christopher Edinburn, a longtime Arlington resident and parent, urged council members and residents to tour the facility and said the current condition would force undesirable measures such as split schedules if the district does not replace the building.
Sherry Kelly, Arlington School Board District 2 and the board’s legislative representative, described the levy as necessary for maintaining conditions that support student and staff success and asked the council to signal its support for families and the schools.
City staff member Paul Ellis presented the resolution, describing it as the council’s support of the district’s effort to provide a safe learning facility. A council member moved to approve the resolution and authorize the mayor to sign it; the motion carried without recorded opposition.
The council’s action is a formal expression of support and does not change the ballot process. Per speakers’ remarks, the Post Middle School building dates from 1981, and the levy would fund replacement if voters approve it. The county later presented funding and a check for related projects that supporters said will improve safety around the school.
Council members and school board speakers emphasized the connection between city events and community support for schools, and encouraged voters to review levy materials and ballot timelines.
