Haynes-Coppethorn Seeks Arlington School Committee Seat in March 28 Election

ARLINGTON -- March 17, 2026, Crystal Haynes-Coppethorn announced her candidacy for the Arlington School Committee ahead of the March 28, 2026 election, centering her campaign on equity gaps, special education compliance, and a state-identified multimillion-dollar budget shortfall. The journalist, nonprofit leader, and Northeastern and Simmons lecturer said Black students in Arlington are 14 times more likely to receive in-school suspension than their peers and called for a review of discipline disparities and expanded diverse hiring. Haynes-Coppethorn, who has the backing of former School Committee and Select Board member Joe Curo and state Representative Sean Garbley, said she would be the first person of color to serve on the Arlington School Committee if elected. She described her campaign priorities as equity and excellence, representation in leadership, and what she called strong schools and smart stewardship, drawing on 20 years as an Emmy Award-winning journalist and current leadership at a legacy nonprofit.