Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath will appoint a new superintendent to lead Fort Worth ISD as part of the state’s takeover of the school district, the commissioner announced Wednesday.
The new, as-yet-unnamed superintendent will replace Superintendent Karen Molinar, who has been in the district’s top job for about a year.
In a statement, Morath praised Molinar’s leadership but said the district needs a change.
“Dr. Karen Molinar is a student-centered leader of integrity, and I want to thank her for her nearly three decades of service to Fort Worth ISD, its students, educators and families,” Morath said. “This decision is not a reflection of Dr. Molinar’s leadership but made with consideration for the scope of changes and improvements needed to better serve all students in the district. These needs require specialized leadership that can rapidly improve the trajectory of the district.”
The Education Lab
Morath announced a state takeover of Fort Worth ISD last year after a single campus in the district, Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade Center, received five consecutive failure ratings in the state’s A-F accountability scores. As a part of the takeover, Morath will also appoint a board of managers to replace the district’s elected board of trustees. Morath said Wednesday that he plans to announce board members in the coming weeks.
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