The Arlington School Committee is seeking applicants for appointment to the Arlington Human Rights Commission.

AHRC
12 minutes ago
3 min read

Dear Arlington friends and neighbors,

The Arlington School Committee is seeking to appoint two members to the Town's

Human Rights Commission. One appointment will fulfill a term from June 15, 2026

through October 31, 2026, and the other appointment is for a term that begins

immediately and ends on October 31, 2027.

The Arlington Human Rights Commission (AHRC) was created by a vote of Town

Meeting in 1993. The bylaw established the commission “to advance issues related to

the fair and equitable treatment of individuals, and to create a mechanism for

addressing complaints arising out of these issues,” by:

Improving the life of the Town by developing on its own and enlisting community based groups in educational programs and campaigns to increase mutual respect, harmonious intergroup relations and the peaceful enjoyment of life in our community by all.
Working with Town Government, the School Department, Town Commissions and Boards to increase diversity in the Town and among those employed by the Town, as well as awareness and sensitivity to those human and civil rights issues which may arise within our Town.
Responding to complaints by persons in the Town who believe that their human or civil rights, as defined in this Bylaw or in state or federal law, have been violated in the Town.
Initiating investigations into circumstances which appear to the Commission to be the result of unlawful discrimination against any person(s) in the Town.

The Arlington School Committee is the appointing authority for five of the thirteen

members of the Arlington Human Rights Commission. The bylaw requires appointing

authorities to publicly solicit Arlington residents prior to making appointments, and to

make appointments that are “representative of the diversity of the Town.”

According to the Commission, “no formal experience working in human rights work is

required to serve as an AHRC Commissioner, other than a ‘can-do’ attitude and a desire

to help make Arlington a safe and welcoming community for all who live, learn, work,

visit, or pass through our town.” The Arlington School Committee will give preference to

candidates with a connection to the Arlington Public Schools, with experience in PK-12 education, and a commitment to working with the school department in order to achieve

the goals of the AHRC.

According to the Commission, the time commitment of each Commissioner may vary

from month to month, but Commissioners can expect to invest approximately 6-12

hours each month, in addition to attending the monthly meeting.

This time commitment reflects the following:

Required regular attendance at the monthly meetings for the full two hours to maintain a quorum and facilitate voting. These meetings are typically held on the third Wednesday of every month from 7:00 PM. to 9:00 PM.
Willingness to read all distributed materials prior to the meeting and to come to meetings prepared for discussions and decision-making.
Active service on two of the AHRC's working groups (Schools & Education, Outreach & Events, Religious Acceptance, Communications, and others as needed). These working groups typically meet monthly.
Responding in a timely manner to reports of human rights violations which are filed with the AHRC or are otherwise brought to the AHRC's attention. These are assigned to commissioners on a rolling basis by the co-chairs.
Attendance several times a year at programs and events presented or sponsored by the AHRC relating to human rights generally or to the mission of the AHRC specifically.
Availability and willingness to plan, facilitate, or otherwise participate in AHRC forums designed to meet the needs of the Town's residents on issues for which the AHRC has direct or indirect responsibilities.
Attendance at the annual AHRC retreat for governance and planning purposes.
Ownership of a personal project related to reinforcing Rule of Law.