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Fort Worth School Board Will Name Next Superintendent Tonight

Max Klingensmith (cc) flickr

Fort Worth’s School Board “officially” names its superintendent finalist at this evening’s 5:30 board meeting. KERA’s Bill Zeeble has more.

After last Thursday’s 2nd round of candidate interviews, trustees said they found their finalist. Acting Superintendent Walter Dansby has filled the role since taking over for Melody Johnson, who resigned last year. A Long-time Fort Worth ISD employee, Dansby applied for and could be named to the job. Board Vice President Juan Rangel says the next leader takes on a large budget shortfall because of state funding cuts.

Rangel: First and foremost we have a financial issue we’re getting prepared for. We have to be very prepared to answer many taxpayers questions about what’s going to happen in the future. Our children need to achieve. We need somebody that has the background, experience, knowledge and commitment.

The new superintendent must also handle a costly problem of over-hiring, a board that some have called dysfunctional, the new, tough state-required student tests, and ongoing initiatives to improve academic achievement.

State law requires 21 days before the finalist can officially become the superintendent.

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