Weiss resigns from ASD Board

Arlington education leaders are looking to fill a vacancy on the school board.

Jim Weiss, who has served on the Arlington School Board since 2003 and is the current board president, resigned last week. He accepted a new job and he is moving to Arizona.

“His commitment to Arlington Public Schools is impressive and commendable,” said Chrys Sweeting, superintendent of the Arlington School District.

She added Weiss is a strong advocate for providing multiple opportunities for all students, especially in career and technical education. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Weiss is proud of the Air Force Junior ROTC program that started in Arlington.

Weiss was a member of the original board that hired Sweeting, who is in her fifth year as superintendent.

“He’s really been able to give a historical perspective and provide leadership during the pandemic,” Sweeting said, adding Weiss helped keep the district on solid fiscal ground.

He enjoyed the yearly celebration of students that took place at the end of the school year as kindergartners moved up to the first grade, middle schoolers moved up to high school and seniors graduated from high school.

He got to hand his daughters their diplomas when they graduated from high school.

“This time of year is normally a fun, joyous time,” Weiss said of the end of the school year.

He said he is going to also miss the interaction he had with the school board and administrators, along with the different points of view everybody brought.

“The board has five dynamic individuals on it. We all bring our own individual life experiences," Weiss said.

The Arlington School District is going through the process of finding a replacement for Weiss. During its July 13 meeting, board member Judy Fay was named board president and board member Mike Fay was named vice president.

To apply for the vacancy, a candidate has to live within the boundary of District 2 that consists of the area of High Cover Park, Cemetery Park and parts of old-town Arlington. Applications are being accepted until 4 p.m., Monday, Aug. 17.

Interviews will take place during an open board meeting scheduled for Aug. 24 with a decision scheduled for the end of the meeting. The new school board member will be sworn in during the Sept. 14 meeting. If a second round of interviews is needed, they will take place Sept. 14 with the new member being sworn in Sept. 28, according to information from the Arlington School District.

For more information about the requirements and expectations of a school board member, go to https://bit.ly/APSBoardVacancy or request information from Julie Davis, senior executive assistant to the superintendent, at [email protected] or call 360-618-6202.