Arlington ISD school board will soon have a new trustee.
In January, Place 3 incumbent Aaron Reich announced his retirement after 15 years of serving on the school board. He won election in 2021 with more than 44% of the total votes.
Three candidates are vying for Reich’s position: entrepreneur Kathi Arocha, attorney Larry Mike and Realtor April Williams Moore, who initially filed for Place 1 against incumbent Sarah McMurrough.
Arocha came in fourth in a six-person race for Place 7 in 2023, receiving more than 14% of the votes. Trustee Leanne Haynes won the election with more than 36%.
Arlington ISD trustees are elected to serve a three-year term for each place.
The election is on May 4. Early voting begins April 22 and ends April 30. Polling places will be announced as the election approaches. April 4 is the last day to register to vote.
Before the election, the Arlington Report surveyed candidates on their priorities and reasons for running for office. Answers may have been edited for grammar, length and clarity. The Report has not independently verified the statements’ accuracy.
Kathi Arocha
Name: Kathi Arocha
Campaign website: https://www.kathiforarlington.com/
Age: 60
Current occupation: AISD substitute | Entrepreneur (Designed For Life LLC)
Family: I have four daughters (two biological), seven grandkids. My son-in-law (Ellis Beck) is a retired Marine who was awarded a Purple Heart for his service. I am very proud of him. My family immigrated from Mexico and became U.S. citizens in the 1940s and 1950s. I have four siblings, and I am the youngest.
Why are you running for election? It is my desire that all students are equally provided with the best education available that will set them up for success. Because of my 26+ years in compliance, budgets, data integrity and policy development, I will provide a fresh perspective and a drive for positive changes.
What are your top three priorities? You asked for three, but I listed four due to their importance.
- School safety is a priority. We must ensure we have adequate measures in place for our students and staff.
- Protect parental rights. We must ensure all parents are informed of all curricula and address any concerns impacting their child.
- Budget transparency and accountability is critical. It’s your tax dollars.
- Support and pay our educators. Remove unnecessary red tape
Why should I vote for you if I were in your district? I will display transparency and accountability within our policies and budget spending. I will partner with other board members to address issues/concerns swiftly with the goal of a positive change. I will be a voice for our taxpayers, teachers and parents.
Is there anything else you’d like to add? I chose to leave my six-figure career and retire early because I wanted to be a part of something bigger: investing in our young people to become successful leaders. I’ve learned so much being an AISD substitute. I see the successes and challenges and recognize the gaps. I take every opportunity to encourage students to never give up on their dreams. I see hardworking teachers pour their hearts into the kids, and unfortunately, I have also seen the discipline challenges. Overall, I look at these challenges as opportunities with an approach to acknowledging what is true. As the saying goes, you can’t fix what you don’t acknowledge. I would rather deal with issues head-on rather than sugarcoat or pretend they don’t exist.
Larry Mike
Name: Larry Mike
Campaign website: larryforarlington3.com
Age: 45
Current Occupation: Attorney, business owner and community volunteer
Family: Married to Yesha Patel, with aspirations for our future children to attend AISD schools, deeply rooted in the Arlington community.
Why are you running for election? I am running to ensure that every child in Arlington can access the high-quality education they deserve. My background as a product of public and Department of Defense schools, combined with my professional experiences, has given me a unique perspective on the importance of a strong education system. I am committed to making AISD a beacon of educational excellence and community engagement.
What are your top three priorities?
- Enhancing educational quality: Attracting and retaining top-notch educators and enriching the curriculum with a broad range of programs, including language; arts; and science, technology, engineering and mathematics, to prepare students for various futures — college, career, trade, or military service.
- School safety: Implementing comprehensive measures to ensure a safe and nurturing environment for all students and staff.
- Fiscal responsibility: Practicing fiscal conservatism to ensure efficient use of resources, focusing on maximizing benefits for the community and making AISD an attractive option for families, thus enhancing the community’s economic vitality.
- How do I reach those priorities? Community listening sessions: Hosting sessions every 90 days across the westside, northside, eastside and southside of Arlington to ensure open, meaningful dialogue with parents and teachers, understanding their needs and maintaining a close connection with the heart of our community.
Why should I vote for you if I were in your district? You should vote for me because I represent a blend of resilience, community service and a deep belief in the power of education. My life story mirrors the values and aspirations of many families in our district. I am committed to fostering a school district that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of parents and the needs of our students, ensuring that every child is prepared for success. My approach is inclusive, focusing on engaging all areas of Arlington and making sure every voice is heard and valued.
Is there anything else you’d like to add? My commitment to Arlington and its future is personal. My wife and I have chosen to make Arlington our home because we believe in the community’s potential. I understand the challenges many of our families face because I’ve lived them. I aim to use my experience, dedication, and leadership to drive positive change within AISD, ensuring that our district is where every student can thrive and where teachers feel valued and supported. Together, we can build a brighter future for all of Arlington’s children.
April Williams Moore
Name: April Williams Moore
Campaign website: https://www.april4aisd.org/
Age: 38
Current Occupation: Residential Realtor
Family: Three children
Why are you running for election? I am not only a resident of the Arlington community with a son who attends the Arlington Independent School District, but I am also a Realtor who serves the Arlington community. Therefore, I am fully vested in the city of Arlington and passionate about serving and being a part of the wonderful changes within the district.
What are your top three priorities? Improve fiscal responsibility to the district. Improve retention and morale of educators. Meet the needs of our teachers and students to increase student achievement.
Why should I vote for you if I were in your district? My heart is passionate about serving my community. I am a proud Air Force veteran, having worked in their finance department with budgets. I am married to a public school principal. I am a mom with three beautiful children, and as a mom, I have over 350 volunteer hours supporting AISD schools. I have learned and experienced the needs of our children and, more importantly, how we need to give more support to our wonderful teachers and building administrators to maximize education in our buildings.
Is there anything else you’d like to add? As a parent, I fully understand that parents need to be involved in their children’s education experience. The district has been trying through the years, but we must continue exploring all avenues. I feel that my 350 volunteer hours will help me to look for other avenues and think outside of the box.
Dang Le is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at dang.le@fortworthreport.org or @DangHLe. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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