Fort Worth ISD board tweaks Molinar’s contract without raise or term extension
The Fort Worth Independent School District’s board made a change on Tuesday to the way the superintendent receives her current compensation, officials said.
The school board modified Superintendent Karen Molinar’s contract in an 8-1 vote on Tuesday night, which district officials said clarifies “how the district fulfills an existing long-term service pay provision.” It does not increase her salary or change the length of her contract. The Star-Telegram has requested an updated version of the contract through an open records request.
Molinar’s annual salary is $360,000, and her contract expires on June 30, 2028.
The motion on the contract made by board member Tobi Jackson on Tuesday did not specify what the changes were, and there was no public discussion by the board members after they talked about the matter in a closed session. District officials released a statement on Wednesday saying the board updated the way it provides compensation to Molinar as outlined in her current contract. Board member Camille Rodriguez was the lone dissenting vote.
“(Tuesday night), the board approved a modification to Dr. Molinar’s contract to clarify how the district fulfills an existing long-term service pay provision. This change does not grant additional compensation and does not extend or otherwise alter the term of the current contract. It simply updates the method of delivering compensation already included in Dr. Molinar’s existing agreement,” district officials said.
“By taking this action, the board reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and honoring the superintendent’s current contract while serving the best interests of the district and our community,” district officials added.
Molinar’s original contract outlines a long-term service incentive that includes a deposit of $33,334 annually into a deferred compensation plan of Molinar’s choice, which began on July 1. The district will provide the compensation over three years. If Molinar is still employed by the district by June 30, 2028, “the annuity, any earnings thereon and its ownership shall be transferred into the name of the superintendent.”
Molinar slowly becomes vested in the account at an annual rate of 33.34% over the three years. Any unvested funds will be returned to the district if Molinar’s employment ends before June 30, 2028.
The tweak to Molinar’s contract comes forward as Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath conducts a nationwide search for a potential new superintendent, which will include Molinar as a candidate, following his declaration of a state takeover in late October.
The state takeover was prompted by the now-closed Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade Center receiving five failed accountability grades in a row from TEA. Since then, Morath has appointed a state conservator to oversee turnaround plans for the district’s low-performing campuses. Additionally, Morath and state officials have received applications from community members who wish to be considered for the board of managers, which will replace the current elected school board. The school board voted three weeks ago to appeal Morath’s takeover decision to the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
The school board opted to make no changes to Molinar’s contract last month after evaluating her performance. Jackson said at the time that the board was unable to share details of the evaluation but informed the public there were no changes made.
“While the specific details of the evaluation are confidential, the board was pleased to document Dr. Molinar’s exemplary leadership and dedicated service to the Fort Worth Independent School District. The board took no action regarding her salary or the term of her contract,” Jackson said.
A hypothetical severance payout for Molinar could not exceed one year of her annual salary and benefits in the scenario that she leaves the district through a resignation or mutual agreement or action of the board. If Morath chooses another candidate for the district’s superintendent position, it’s unclear how Molinar’s severance could be impacted.
