Boyd Ready To Lead FWISD Into New Era
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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Dr. Joel Boyd has not officially been named as the newest superintendent of the Fort Worth Independent School District just yet, but school board trustees are hoping that he will soon start to lead the district into a new era.
Boyd is currently the superintendent in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He began his career as a teacher before being named as a principal, and working his way up to the top spot.
During his time in Santa Fe, a school district with about 14,000 students, Boyd explained that he has had great success in closing achievement gaps. When he comes to Fort Worth, he plans to focus on areas where student performance has not been the best.
"There is a number of schools which have been performing below standard for far too long," Boyd stated, "and children have a fundamental civil right to receive a high-quality education."
One of Boyd's first goals is to increase the school district's graduation rate. "Right now, in terms of graduation rate, we are losing," he said.
Boyd understands that people are anxious about the change, but he promises to be involved and listen to concerns. And do not let his age fool you. Boyd turns only 36 years old in March. But he stated that the superintendent job is all about experience -- and he has it.
"I grew up in a single-mother household," Boyd said. "We struggled with money. I struggled in school. And it was really those experiences struggling in middle school that led me to the decision to become an educator."
State law requires that 21 days pass before a superintendent contract is finalized. Dr. Patricia Linares has been filling in as interim superintendent since Walter Dansby resigned in June.