Residents in Fort Worth Independent School District turned out at the district’s board meeting to express their frustration with the current leadership.
During the board of trustees special meeting on Tuesday evening, numerous residents spoke out against Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Angélica Ramsey, who has come under fire for failing students and teachers.
Ramsey was the Midland ISD superintendent for over a year before leaving to take the job at Fort Worth ISD.
Tensions began to rise between the school board, residents, and Ramsey after Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker sent a letter and spoke to the board last month to discuss the failings of the district.
According to Parker, standardized test data from spring 2024 showed that Fort Worth ISD trailed 11 percentage points behind Dallas ISD, 14 behind Houston ISD, and 18 behind Brownsville ISD.
Additionally, Ramsey—who earns an annual salary of $335,000—sparked division when she claimed that the board breached her contract over differences about her employment performance.
In July, the board gave Ramsey a $15,000 retirement bonus, which is the lowest amount they can contractually give her. They also did not extend her contract past its end date of July 2026.
Teachers expressed their frustration with Ramsey and the current administration saying that there is a toxicity and demoralization among staff.
“The teachers and principals that are being run off are not the ones who are ineffective. The district and the current policies are actively running off the teachers who are effective,” said Teacher Ale Checka.
“I felt like I kind of had this teaching thing figured out, at least until this year due to missing technology and new materials that were given to us last minute. This feels like year one all over again because of the massive failures, inane requirements, and mismanaged direction coming from this administration,” said Science Teacher Michael O’Brien.
Fort Worth ISD Special Education Teacher Elva Camacho asked the board to think locally when it comes to leadership.
“We warned you about her. It says a lot when she’s broken a contract in another city, and to expect that she’s going to come here and fix what’s broken, it’s far from it,” said Camacho. “We need somebody local who knows the heart of Fort Worth, who knows the heart and cares about our city as much as we do, and work with us and work with parents and give us what we need.”
Parents and Fort Worth taxpayers also criticized Ramsey’s leadership and the board for refusing to listen to their concerns.
“What would have happened if the things that I told you, you would’ve listened, what would happen to our students?” questioned mom Hollie Plemons. “I gave all of you the data on Midland before she came here, before you gave her a contract, before the 21 days was up, before it had even started. They were an F-rated school. Their school had worse scores than we did. You hired her [Ramsey] based on equity, not merits, and look where it’s gotten us.”
“Two years ago, we told you guys [about Ramsey]; you just don’t listen. We told you that it wasn’t the right decision,” said resident Todd Daniel. “You’re all concerned about somebody’s PhD or acronyms behind their name.”
Others pleaded with the board to work with Ramsey to fix the issues in the district.
“Now that the situation without Fort Worth schools has been brought to light, beyond this boardroom, you have decided to do something, specifically to put the blame entirely upon the superintendent. I suggest that attack is blatantly unfair,” said Reid Bills. “I ask that you work with Dr. Ramsey and her staff immediately to seek solutions and implement them.”
After public comments, the board moved to an executive session behind closed doors to discuss Ramsey’s contract. It is unknown what they discussed.
