Fort Worth ISD school board votes to begin search for next superintendent
The Fort Worth Independent School District school board will start accepting applications for a permanent superintendent starting this week with tentative plans to find a new leader by the 2025-26 school year.
The board voted unanimously on Tuesday, Jan. 21 to start the first step of its search and hiring process after discussing the topic in a closed session. The action comes about three months after the board appointed Karen Molinar as interim superintendent, who has voiced interest in applying for the permanent role. Molinar moved into the position after former Superintendent Angélica Ramsey resigned amid public pressure and community backlash over the district’s stagnant academic performance.
The decision to move forward with the search was approved without discussion by the board on Tuesday. Board member Michael Ryan made the motion, noting the job vacancy would be posted for 10 days. District records show the board intends to hire someone by the upcoming school year.
“I move to direct administration to post the vacant superintendent position for a period of 10 days, beginning January 23, 2025 in compliance with board policy and Texas Education Code and to initiate the hiring process under the guidance and facilitation of the board,” Ryan said.
Board President Roxanne Martinez said in a statement on Wednesday that the board is conducting the search and plans to review the applications “shortly after the posting closes.”
“By moving thoughtfully and decisively, we aim to have a permanent Superintendent in place to support a successful start to the upcoming school year and to ensure that our district continues to meet the needs of our students, staff, and community,” she said. “We thank our community for their ongoing support and engagement as we work together to secure a bright future for Fort Worth ISD.”
During public comment, Fort Worth ISD teacher, coach and parent Ernie Moran voiced his support for Molinar to take over the permanent role, but acknowledged it would be up to the board and search team to make that determination “transparently.” More than two years ago when the board was looking for a new superintendent, Moran implored the board to hire a leader “who represents all of our students, not just some of them, and certainly not just the loudest, angriest parents.”
Moran also said he had asked the board to continue its work on equity and to “not cave to the anti-DEI crowd” while emphasizing the district’s diversity as one of its strengths. This time around, he’s adding another request.
“I would ask that you concern yourselves less with a nationwide search, and more with a deep, thorough search of all strong candidates in the DFW area. We don’t need someone brought in who will be gone in two years. We need someone invested in this community,” Moran said.
This story was originally published January 21, 2025 at 10:29 PM.
