Board isn’t defending finalist

It’s getting close to decision time — and explanation time — for Fort Worth school trustees and their choice for a new superintendent.

This month, by a 7-0 vote (two members were absent), trustees picked Joel Boyd, superintendent of Santa Fe, N.M., schools, as their finalist for the job. The 21-day waiting period mandated by state law ends Saturday, at which time the board can offer Boyd a contract.

There have been rumblings in recent days that a majority of trustees may be having second thoughts about their choice, supposedly citing the mixed performance of Santa Fe schools and Boyd’s overall lack of experience — issues they presumably discussed before selecting him.

Three people who spoke at Tuesday night’s board meeting, including former Fort Worth Councilman Bert Williams, urged members to reconsider, casting doubt on whether Boyd is the right person to lead Fort Worth schools.

We haven’t heard much from the trustees. Perhaps they have decided it would be imprudent to speak before contract negotiations are complete.

But the public needs to hear them defend their choice, or a good explanation if they’re planing to start over in their search.

This story was originally published February 25, 2015 at 5:53 PM with the headline "Board isn’t defending finalist."