Fort Worth ISD school board names interim superintendent

A former superintendent will take the job again in the Fort Worth Independent School District. Angelica Ramsey joined Fort Worth ISD in 2022 after serving as superintendent in Midland, but she resigned effective at the beginning of October.

Tuesday night, the school board spent about two and a half hours in executive session before unanimously approving Karen Molinar as interim superintendent.

Molinar started as a teacher in Fort Worth 27 years ago and is now a deputy superintendent. She served as interim superintendent after Kent Scribner left, leading to the search that ended with Ramsey's hiring.

"We have a sense of urgency, I think we've heard that from our parents who have come and spoken to us, our teachers as well as our community," Molinar told reporters after the meeting Tuesday night. "I look forward to making some changes that support our academic achievement and outcomes."

After the meeting, Fort Worth ISD released a letter from Molinar laying out an action plan "focused on improving student achievement, enhancing support systems, and ensuring every resource is directed toward advancing our district in the right direction so that we can build a brighter future for the students and families that we serve."

1. Improve Student Achievement and Close Achievement Gaps
Every student in Fort Worth deserves a path to success. We are committed to closing achievement gaps and ensuring that every child has the tools and support they need to thrive academically.

2. Re-Engage and Realign Business and Community Partnership Programs
Our community is our strength. By realigning partnerships, we are committed to fostering strong connections that support our students' academic journey and future readiness.

3. Organize for Effectiveness and Efficiency Across the District
We are dedicated to building a district that runs efficiently and effectively, ensuring that every resource is used to benefit our students and their success, while at the same time cultivating and developing our principals and teachers so they are positioned to implement best practice instruction focused on student achievement.

4. Reprioritize and Redirect the Budget to Support Student Needs
Every cent counts. We will ensure that our financial decisions are focused on supporting student outcomes, making sure that the budget works in the best interest of our learners.

5. Evaluate Bond Status and Student-Centered Facilities Consolidation Based on Enrollment and Academic Impact
Our goal is to create learning environments that inspire success. By evaluating and right-sizing our facilities, we ensure that each school is equipped to provide the best possible education for our students.

Molinar said she would have details about the plan at the school board's next meeting Oct. 22.