Arlington ISD board ratifies chief communications hire, approves contracts and easements in unanimous votes

The Arlington Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously ratified the appointment of Taina Northington as the district's chief communications officer and approved several personnel actions and easements during its May 1, 2025 meeting.

The board's approvals included the ratification of the administrative appointment discussed in closed session, approval of teacher probationary and term contracts, approval of term contracts for administrative and professional staff, the termination of a probationary contract employee listed on the agenda, and two easement resolutions for Anderson Elementary.

Trustees moved through the action items in sequence. The board's motion to ratify the administrative appointment carried unanimously after a motion from Trustee Mike and a second by Trustee Fowler. Superintendent Matt Smith introduced Taina Northington, who spoke briefly after the vote. "It means so much to me to have your support as we move Arlington ISD into the incredible things that we saw," Northington said after the board's action.

On personnel matters the board approved teacher probationary and term contracts and term contracts for administrative and professional staff by unanimous votes after motions and seconds from trustees. The board also voted to terminate the probationary contract of the employee named on the agenda (listed as Jordan Versi) following a motion and second; the motion passed 6-0.

The board approved two separate resolutions granting easements to the city of Arlington for Anderson Elementary to allow installation of a new public sanitary sewer line: one for a temporary construction easement and one for a permanent public sanitary sewer easement. Both motions passed unanimously.

All action items and the consent agenda passed by voice vote with no recorded dissents. The meeting record shows six trustees voting in favor on each action.

Votes at a glance - Ratification of administrative appointment (chief communications officer, Taina Northington): mover Trustee Mike; second Trustee Fowler; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve teacher probationary and term contracts as presented: mover Trustee Wilbanks; second Trustee Fowler; outcome: approved (6-0). - Approve term contracts for administrative and professional staff: mover Trustee Fowler; second Trustee Wilbanks; outcome: approved (6-0). - Termination of probationary contract for employee listed on agenda as Jordan Versi: mover Trustee Fowler; second Trustee Haynes; outcome: approved (6-0). The transcript includes several variant renderings of the employee's surname; the action is recorded as presented on the agenda. - Approve resolution and temporary construction easement to the city of Arlington for Anderson Elementary (sanitary sewer): mover Trustee Mike; second Trustee Wilbanks; outcome: approved (6-0). - Approve resolution and public sanitary sewer easement to the city of Arlington for Anderson Elementary: mover Trustee Haynes; second Trustee Mike; outcome: approved (6-0). - Consent agenda (as presented): second Trustee Fowler; outcome: approved (6-0).

The board did not receive public speakers on agenda items prior to these votes. Several of the approved personnel items had been previewed in closed session and were presented for ratification or approval during the open meeting.

The board adjourned at 9:16 p.m.

Ending: The board completed all scheduled action items and approved the consent agenda; Superintendent Matt Smith introduced several celebratory recognitions after the votes, and the meeting moved on to reports and nonagenda public comment later in the evening.