Fort Worth trustees hope to name superintendent finalist soon

Hoping to announce its choice for superintendent by Jan. 30, the Fort Worth school board has conducted hours of interviews this week and expects to finish with the last of the top few candidates Monday.

The 86,000-student district drew more than 100 applicants for its top post, board President Norman Robbins said Friday. The new superintendent will replace Walter Dansby, who resigned June 2. Interim Superintendent Pat Linares has led the district since.

Trustees narrowed the applicant pool to six contenders and interviewed each in person.

State law requires that the name of a sole finalist be announced 21 days before the signing of a superintendent’s contract, but it does not require that candidates’ names be disclosed.

The position is expected to have a salary of more than $300,000, district officials say.

“We should be close to announcing” a lone finalist, Robbins said Friday.

Before then, the board plans to do more due diligence on its top choice, Robbins said, including an extensive criminal background check and discussions with previous employers.

Some trustees might also visit the candidate’s current employer or school district, trustees have said.

Nancy Ricker, who retired from the Fort Worth district three years ago after serving as executive director for parent and public engagement, is helping the board with interviews and selection, she said.

In August, the board hired the consultant Ray & Associates of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to aid in the search. The firm has completed some due diligence on the top few candidates, Robbins said.

This story was originally published January 23, 2015 at 12:03 PM with the headline "Fort Worth trustees hope to name superintendent finalist soon."