| by Brianna Kessler |Dr. Kent Paredes Scribner has officially been hired as Fort Worth Independent School District's new permanent superintendent.
Scribner, currently superintendent in the largest high school district in Arizona, will start this new position on Oct. 15, 2015. Anticipating the start of his new role, Scribner is spending his time learning about the community.
"Dr. Kent Scribner is a proven leader who is nationally respected - and, quite simply, he is the right fit for Fort Worth. He will take our students to the next level. And, he will address the achievement gap," said Board President Jacinto Ramos, Jr. "I am proud of the work that the "Team of Nine" trustees did in selecting Dr. Scribner, and I look forward to us being a "Team of Ten" as we go into the future."
Since 2008 Scribner has held been superintendent of the Phoenix Union High School District, which serves more than 27,000 students in grades 9 through 12. He has also been commissioner for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics since 2011.
"Although leaving Phoenix will be difficult, I am eager to serve the students and community of Fort Worth. Leading Fort Worth ISD is a tremendous opportunity for me both personally and professionally," said Scribner. "My parents, sister and her family live in the North Texas area. I am convinced that Fort Worth ISD is poised for great success. The District's impressive Board of Trustees, talented staff and engaged business community are among the ingredients required to build a prosperous school-community."
Scribner was unanimously voted as the only finalist on Aug. 11 pending the state-mandated 21-day waiting period, which expired Sept. 1.
Dr. Patricia A. Linares, interim FWISD superintendent since June 2014, expressed that she had no interest in applying for the position at all.
"We wish to thank Dr. Pat Linares for her amazing stewardship of the District. By the generous gift of her leadership and expertise, she gave us the time to find the right person to become the next permanent superintendent of the Fort Worth ISD," Ramos said.
