Abrupt changes in leadership are underway in the Fort Worth Independent School District after the Texas education commissioner announced on Thursday that he was appointing a conservator to oversee and direct district governance during a state takeover.
The conservator, Christopher Ruszkowski, starts this job immediately with a wide range of responsibilities and powers specified by state law and Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. His appointment will be followed by the appointment of a new board of managers that will replace the elected school board and a potential new superintendent. Fort Worth ISD’s current Superintendent Karen Molinar will be considered as a candidate in a nationwide search.
Among Ruszkowski’s main tasks is overseeing turnaround plans for low-performing campuses, according to Morath. He is also “overseeing and directing as necessary” the decisions made by the superintendent, principals and governance team; reporting the district’s actions related to governance and academic progress to the Texas Education Agency; and attending board meetings, which will include closed sessions…