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Former Fort Worth ISD Administrator Named Interim Superintendent

The Fort Worth school board unanimously named a retired deputy superintendent, Patricia Linares, as its interim leader Monday night. Walter Dansby resigned last week. For the board, experience was key.

Trustees said there were other candidates who could have filled in for WalterDansby, but they picked Linares because she spent more than 14 years in Fort Worth and served under superintendents James Tocco and Melody Johnson.

“She’s led many departments,” trustee Judy Needham said. “She knows many of our employees and she can pick up as soon as she can come to work, which will hopefully be next week.”

The choice makes sense to Steven Poole, who leads the United Educators Association, Fort Worth’s largest teachers group.

“I’ve known her a long time,” Poole said. “This is a really solid choice for the district to make. She’s going to be able to walk in here day one and know what the district needs.”

For now, the district needs an interim leader. The board’s expected to meet Friday to finalize details, including what it will pay Linares for an estimated six to nine months. She won’t be allowed to apply for the full-time job. Needham said board members haven’t yet discussed what they want in their next superintendent.

Photo credit: Rodger Mallison/Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Bill Zeeble has been a full-time reporter at KERA since 1992, covering everything from medicine to the Mavericks and education to environmental issues.