Fort Worth Independent School District trustees voted Tuesday to unanimously name Angelica Ramsey as its lone finalist for superintendent.
The decision comes eight months after Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Kent Scribner announced his retirement. Originally set to finish out his contract, Scribner will leave at the end of the month, earlier than expected.
Ramsey currently serves as superintendent of Midland ISD for a little more than a year and prior, spent five years as superintendent of school at the Pleasant Valley School District in California.
Ramsey's name was circulated in the community before she was announced officially and about 20 parents showed up before the district's meeting Tuesday night to speak.
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Some of the parents were concerned with a dissertation Ramsey wrote in 2013 while a student at the conservative, Liberty University. The document talks about the rise in Latino students in public schools and the lack of Latinos in administrative positions. It also discussed critical race theory.
"The dissertation was talking about Latinas, Hispanic women who needed voices in leadership that’s what she was talking about," said Quinton Phillips, Vice-President, Board of Trustees, Fort Worth ISD. "CRT is not something that’s taught in our schools it’s not something in our classrooms."
FORT WORTH ISD
Phillips added that the board also weighed the short amount of time Ramsey worked in Midland, with her many years as a superintendent in California and career in education. He said no matter who they looked at Ramsey kept coming back to the top of the list, due to her devotion to students.
Ramsey spoke with reporters Tuesday and said critical race theory went with her report at the time, adding it's not in schools and is illegal in the state of Texas.
She also added her commitment to being in classrooms, saying she would spend two days each week inside schools.
"It allows me the time to have informal conversations with teachers so they can be really honest about the concerns they’re having," said Ramsey.
"Midland is a smaller district than Fort Worth but is has similar demographics, it’s my hope she’ll be able to come into the district with the skillset to rally the community around our schools," said Steven Poole, Executive Director, United Educators Association
Trustee members heralded Ramsey's success in Midland ISD which saw gains this year under her leadership.
"We are excited to name Dr. Angelica Ramsey as the lone finalist for superintendent of Fort Worth ISD," Board President Tobi Jackson said in a press release. "She will bring her many amazing leadership qualities to our district and to the benefit of our greater community."
"I am extremely honored to join the Fort Worth ISD team," added Dr. Ramsey. "I look forward to meeting with our stakeholders, visiting classrooms and working together to provide a world-class education for all students."
An Army veteran, Ramsey holds a bachelor's degree from the University of the Pacific, a master's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. She previously held positions as an associate superintendent, a high school principal, assistant principal, classroom teacher, athletic coach and more.
