Finish Line
In appreciation
Jamie Sullins
Photo: Richard Greene
A parting salute to Jamie Sullins, a consummate role model of public service • By Richard Greene
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ometimes a city becomes the beneficiary of the selfless service of someone so committed to helping others that the whole community is lifted in ways that otherwise would not have happened. Such was Arlington’s very good fortune when Jamie Sullins stepped up to the challenge of raising the performance of the city’s public schools to new heights. Emerging from her role as president of the Lamar High School PTA more than 10 years ago and continuing to the present time as a three-term member of the Arlington School Board, Jamie had one relentless focus: providing the opportunity for the success of every child. Recognizing the need for new facilities and vital resources to support the mission of preparing students for life after high school, she has been instrumental in designing and promoting two major capital improvement programs putting more than $860 million to work for the 63,000 children in Arlington’s public schools. Today there are 100 projects taking place across virtually every campus in the city, all with the single focus of educating those students for a promising future. During Jamie’s leadership as president of the board and with the full support of her fellow board members working with Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos, they have made it possible for college-bound students to get a head start through the collegiate high school program. That innovative initiative brought national recognition – this year, U.S. News and World Report designated AISD among the best school districts in the country. But, what about those students who are not college bound? Jamie’s passion to see that jobs were waiting for them, too, led to the development of the new career and technical center that opened at the start of this school year. Already, there are almost 5,000 students enrolled in the 17 new career programs and those of the companion agricultural science center. All of this is directly supportive of the ambitious goal of having 100 percent of the district’s students exceptionally prepared for college, career and citizenship. Fellow board member John Hibbs sums up Jamie’s contributions in an appropriate manner. “She was an absolute incredible volunteer before her election,” Hibbs says, “and her resolve to 82
ARLINGTON TODAY • September 2017 • arlingtontoday.com
do more never ceased throughout her tenure as a servant of the public’s trust.” In addition to the focus of the work inside the district, Jamie was always at the forefront of collaboration with Tarrant County College, UT Arlington, and the City of Arlington. When examining these achievements, it should come as little surprise that the board under Jamie’s leadership in 2014 was named as the Outstanding School Board of Texas by the Texas Association of School Administrators. Beyond her role in advancing the work of public education, Jamie could be found in the midst, and often the leader, of initiatives across the spectrum in the city she loves. Working to advance the quality of life through many community service organizations, and laboring tirelessly to ensure the future of Arlington as the home of the Texas Rangers, were objectives she eagerly pursued. She gained the admiration of Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams and his resolve to raise the city’s commitment to new levels of support for public education. “Jamie has been an incredible champion for our kids and worked tirelessly to move our city forward,” the mayor says. “We will forever be in her debt.” But now the city bids a reluctant good-bye to Jamie as she and her husband Gerald relocate to Austin to pursue his work with the Lower Colorado River Authority. “My husband and hero for 34 years has been my champion and supported everything I wanted to do in serving our community,” Jamie says. “Now it’s my turn to do that for him.” With that announcement came an avalanche of accolades and well wishes across the city, to which she responded: “I will take many wonderful memories with me and the confidence that AISD is in very good hands with remarkable teachers, faculties, administrators, senior staff and superintendent. The daily commitment of the team is nothing short of remarkable.” Arlington will mark time from when the Sullins family stepped up to serve and lead our community to strive for excellence in public education and more. Countless young people will succeed because of Jamie’s resolve, and her legacy will reside in them all. Richard Greene was Arlington’s mayor from 1987-1997, was appointed by President George W. Bush as Regional Administrator of the EPA, and currently teaches in the University of Texas at Arlington’s graduate program in the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs.