Arlington School Board Extends Superintendent’s Contract Through 2030

The Arlington School Board has unanimously approved a four-year renewal of Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán’s contract, reaffirming its confidence in his leadership and the continued progress of Arlington Public Schools (APS).

The contract provides leadership continuity as APS continues advancing its Strategic Plan and building on strong student outcomes, operational excellence and meaningful partnerships with families and the community.

“The School Board’s decision reflects our confidence in Dr. Durán’s leadership and the direction of Arlington Public Schools,” said School Board Chair Miranda Turner. “Over the past several years, APS has continued to invest in our staff, strengthen partnerships with families, and plan responsibly for the future. The Board appreciates Dr. Durán’s thoughtful, student-centered leadership and looks forward to continuing this work together on behalf of every APS student.”

Since Dr. Durán became superintendent in 2020, APS has continued to strengthen its reputation as one of Virginia’s highest-performing school divisions. The division has earned recognition for academic excellence, educator quality and student success while making strategic investments in its workforce, facilities and school communities.

Over the past four years, APS has:

• Maintained graduation rates above 93%, with nearly 90% of graduates pursuing college, military service, careers or other post-secondary opportunities.
• Achieved strong early literacy growth, with approximately 83% of students in kindergarten through grade 2 making expected progress in foundational literacy.
• Expanded access to rigorous learning opportunities, including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual enrollment and Career and Technical Education pathways.
• Maintained a 92% employee retention rate through competitive compensation, mentoring and professional learning investments.
• Successfully negotiated long-term collective bargaining agreements while continuing to invest in employee compensation, benefits and workplace supports.
• Increased family engagement by tripling participation in family workshops while expanding outreach to Arlington’s multilingual community.
• Continued investing in modern learning environments through implementation of the School Board’s Capital Improvement Plan.
• Strengthened operational performance by maintaining a 93% on-time school bus arrival rate and continuing to reduce chronic absenteeism.

This marks Dr. Durán’s third contract renewal since becoming superintendent in 2020, reflecting the School Board’s continued confidence in his leadership and its commitment to sustaining the division’s momentum in the years ahead.

“It is a privilege to serve Arlington Public Schools, and I am grateful to the School Board for its continued confidence in my leadership,” said Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán. “The accomplishments we have celebrated over the past several years belong to our students, our employees, our families and our community. Together, we have built a strong foundation, and I look forward to continuing our work to ensure every student is known, challenged and supported.”

The contract extension provides continuity as APS continues implementing the priorities outlined in its Strategic Plan, including academic excellence, student well-being, operational excellence and meaningful partnerships with families and the community. It also supports the division’s ongoing work to strengthen student achievement, invest in employees, modernize school facilities and prepare every student for success after graduation.

Dr. Durán has served as superintendent since 2020. This contract extension reflects the School Board’s continued confidence in his leadership and its commitment to sustaining the momentum APS has built while preparing for the future.

Leadership by the Numbers

*According to Niche.