Dr. Joel D. Boyd, 35, who is superintendent of Santa Fe Public Schools, is set to become the 25th superintendent in Fort Worth’s history. Boyd would lead the 6th largest school district in the state in regards to enrollment.
"Dr. Boyd is a very competent educator who has experienced successes in closing achievement gaps and improving student academic performance,” said Fort Worth ISD Board President Norman Robbins in a press release. “He will be very visible in the community, and has the ability to make people feel comfortable when meeting with them. We are excited to have him join our team of ten."
By law, he can’t officially accept the job until 21 days after the announcement. He will take over a district with approximately 83,000 students and 142 schools.
The school district is growing as well. In 2013, a bond was proposed for FWISD to add several additions to existing campuses and to build new campuses through 2017.
Since August 2012, Boyd has served as superintendent of Santa Fe Public Schools in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Prior to this, he served as an assistant superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia. Preceding, he served as special assistant to the superintendent in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
According to the press release, Boyd accomplished improving academics in all grade levels and decreasing the dropout rate in his previous school districts.
Fort Worth ISD will look to achieve the same. According to the Texas Education Agency, the 4-year longitudinal (grades 9-12) dropout rate for the class of 2012 was 13.3 percent. Nine percent of the students in FWISD performed at advanced standard in the STAAR tests during the 2013-2014 school year.
Boyd received his doctorate through the Urban Superintendents Program at Harvard University in 2012. He earned two masters degrees – one in education policy and management from Harvard University, and one in school leadership from Wilmington College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Delaware.
In 2014, Boyd was honored the Excellence in Education Award by the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.
