Town Government
School Committee & Superintendent
The Superintendent
Dr. Elizabeth Homan
About 6,100 Arlington students start their day in this district, and one person answers for all of it. Dr. Elizabeth Homan, who goes by Liz and holds a doctorate in education, has led Arlington Public Schools since July 2021. She runs a system of eleven schools, and she took the job just as the town was finishing the largest building project in its history, the new Arlington High School. The Superintendent proposes the school budget, sets academic priorities, and is hired by and reports to the elected School Committee.
| Role | Superintendent of Schools |
|---|---|
| In office | Since 2021 |
| District office | 869 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02476 |
| Phone | 781-316-3501 |
| Website | arlington.k12.ma.us |
The School Committee
Arlington’s School Committee has seven members, all elected town-wide to staggered three-year terms at the spring town election. The committee sets district policy, approves the school budget, and hires and evaluates the Superintendent who runs the schools day to day. The committee meets about twice a month in public session, which means an Arlington student who shows up can speak.
Laura Gitelson
Liz Exton
Paul Schlichtman
Kirsi Allison-Ampe
Leonard Kardon
Jeff Thielman
Crystal Haynes Copithorne
The District at a Glance
- Enrollment: 6,098 students, PreK through 12.
- Schools: eleven, anchored by the new Arlington High School.
- Graduation rate: about 96.8% for the class of 2025.
- State data: DESE profile (code 00100000).
Meetings & Participation
- When: roughly twice a month, with agendas posted on the district website.
- Public comment: residents may address the committee. Check the agenda for sign-up details.
- Watch: meetings are carried on Arlington Community Media and available on demand.
- Subcommittees: much of the detailed work on budget, policy, and facilities happens in subcommittees.
Sources
Arlington school committee (arlingtonma.gov). Verified July 2026.
What this seat decides
Your schools
School Committee. Start times, the school calendar, bus routes and stops, the phone policy, athletics and activity fees, and anything in the student handbook. It sets district policy, and the total size of the school budget is voted by Town Meeting, or by your Mayor and Council in a city.
Your principal and your superintendent. The principal for how a school rule works day to day in your building. The superintendent for how the whole district runs. The School Committee hires exactly one employee, the superintendent, so a question about any other staff member goes to the district, not to the board.
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