Today (Monday) is the first day of class at Arlington Public Schools, and the school system is just over 99% staffed up to welcome its 27,000 students.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming them all back,” Superintendent Francisco Durán said at the Aug. 27 School Board meeting, where he detailed changes that will impact students and families during the school year.
“The beginning of a new year is a transition for everyone,” Durán said. “Everything on day one might not be perfect, but it will be successful and fun.”
As of last Wednesday, there were 29 staff vacancies: 21 full-time positions and eight part-time.
School Board member Bethany Zecher Sutton praised “all the hard work” that has gone into filling the empty spots.
“It means so much when we are fully staffed at the start of the year,” she said.
The total number of students enrolled as of Aug. 25 was 27,026, school leadership reported. That figure is likely to grow on the first day of school and continue rising until Sept. 30, when school divisions statewide submit their official registration counts.
The school system is using new routing software for bus scheduling this year.
As a result, “some routes and stops may look different,” the superintendent said. In early September, APS is rolling out Stopfinder, a bus-tracking tool that will provide parents with real-time information.
A pilot will begin at some schools on Sept. 8, with the goal of expanding district-wide in October.
The new school year will also bring some amended policies on homework, grading at the secondary level and use of technology.
At the Aug. 27 meeting, Durán and several Board members affirmed previous support for immigrant families. The superintendent acknowledged “concern and uncertainty” over a recent uptick in federal sweeps in immigrant communities.
School officials also announced the latest in a series of community conversations about the school system’s use of artificial intelligence. It will be held Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Wakefield High School.
“I hope that you can come and give us your feedback,” Durán said.
