Karen Molinar, the interim superintendent of Fort Worth ISD, has been hired to take the job moving forward. The school board unanimously selected Molinar at a meeting Tuesday evening.
Molinar has spent 26 years with Fort Worth ISD including roles as an assistant principal, principal, and district-level jobs. She became interim superintendent after the resignation of Angelica Ramsey in September.
"I just want to express my gratitude to the trustees for having faith in me and just the support and encouragement over the last few months in the role of interim," Molinar said after the vote Tuesday.
"I think we've chosen a great leader," Trustee Wallace Bridges said. "It is time for all of us to roll up our sleeves and reach out for what we can do for our kids."
Molinar said she would focus on improving students' outcomes. In January, the school board passed a resolution to prioritize student literacy. Just 43% of students in the district currently meet standards.
"We can do this," she said. "We have a lot of work ahead of us, and it's going to be hard work, but it is the right work."
Molinar said she is also "committed to fostering transparency, collaboration, and accountability as we work together, roll up their sleeves, and focus on the collective success of our students."
Fort Worth ISD said details of the contract will be made available later.
In August, Mayor Mattie Parker sent a letter to school board members with the support of council members and community leaders saying Fort Worth ISD "has not kept pace with our city’s rapid ascent." In September, the school board called a special meeting to review Angelica Ramsey's performance and contract. Ramsey resigned as superintendent later that month but will continue as a district employee through Aug. 30.
The agreement allows Ramsey to keep earning her salary and benefits until the end of August totaling about $908,000.
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