Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to extend the contract of Superintendent Kent Paredes Scribner with a five-year commitment to fulfill the District’s mission of preparing all children for success in college, career and community leadership.
“Meaningful change can only occur when there is strong and stable leadership,” said Board President Jacinto Ramos Jr. “Our ‘team of ten’ is fully committed to doing what’s best for the children of Fort Worth. Accordingly, we are excited to partner with Kent Scribner in bringing this vision to reality.”
Scribner’s salary of $330,000 annually, plus a $1,000 monthly auto expense remains the same. The vote was 8-0 vote in favor with board member Ann Sutherland absent.
Since becoming superintendent, school district leaders noted that Scribner has:
— implemented a broad reorganization of the district and a focus on four overarching goals: early childhood, elementary literacy, middle years’ math, and college and career preparedness.
— downsized central office staff and redirected resources and people to the schools where they are most needed.
— launched a community-wide literacy initiative, with the support of Mayor Betsy Price and BNSF Chairman Matt Rose: 100 X 25 FWTX sets a goal of all Fort Worth ISD students reading on or above grade level at third grade by the year 2025.
Scribner also courted controversy earlier this year in a debate over guidelines for transgender students, with Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick calling for Scribner to be fired. The district has since modified the guidelines.
Scribner began his career in education as a high school Spanish teacher and guidance counselor in Philadelphia, then became a principal and district administrator prior to serving as a superintendent in Phoenix for 13 years.
As superintendent, Scribner serves more than 87,000 students and 11,000 employees. The Fort Worth ISD Board of Education brought Scribner to the District in October 2015.
In the meeting on Tuesday afternoon, board members emerged from executive session to take a vote on the single item on the agenda.
“Our extension of Dr. Scribner’s contract shows he is focused on the right goals to make success a reality for all of our students,” said District 5 Trustee Judy Needham. “He listened carefully to the community and business leaders, faith-based leaders, and elected officials before leading, just as he promised he would do.”
Scribner earned his Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies from Carleton College in Minnesota and his Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from Temple University in Pennsylvania. He earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Arizona State University.
He and his wife Suleyka have four children.