Retirements, state takeovers drive high number of North Texas superintendents leaving posts

At least eight superintendents in North Texas districts have revealed plans to step down this academic year, with four of them making the announcement this month.

“This comes as other school districts in the region are searching for new superintendents, with some … already naming lone finalists pegged to fill those positions,” wrote the local ABC affiliate March 16.

While many of these involve retirements, two of the positions involve state takeovers: Lake Worth and Fort Worth ISD, according to the article. 

This rash of resignations comes amid increased scrutiny over superintendent salaries, which have ballooned in recent years.

“According to reporting from Texas Scorecard, Texas Education Agency data shows that at least 16 Texas ISD superintendents are making over $400,000 a year – which means they’re paid more than the President of the United States,” wrote KTRH Local Houston and Texas News on March 19.

‘You’ll know when it’s time’

The earliest resignation took place in December, with Frisco ISD Superintendent Mike Waldrip celebrating 44 years of service in education.

“Forty-four years is a long time, and my body feels like I’ve been doing something for 44 years,” he said, laughing.

“A lot of my colleagues who have done it told me, ‘you’ll know when it’s time.’ No particular reason, you just think, well, it’s probably time.”

Then in January, Allen ISD Superintendent Robin Bullock announced her retirement after a 31-year career.

“During her time as superintendent, Allen ISD was named the best district in Collin County and the sixth best district in Texas by Niche.com,” wrote the Dallas Morning News. “The district also earned an ‘A’ accountability rating in the 2024-25 school year from the Texas Education Agency.”

February followed with another superintendent exit: DeSoto ISD superintendent Usamah Rodgers.

“Rodgers’ last day in the role was Feb. 23, but she’ll stay with the district in a support role through June 30, according to a district news release,” the ABC affiliate clarified. “Rodgers was first hired as superintendent in 2022.”

Then in March, the Fort Worth Independent School District announced plans for selecting a new superintendent as the state continues its takeover of the district.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath thanked the current superintendent, Karen Molinar, “for her nearly three decades of service” in the district, according to the ABC affiliate.

The decision to replace Molinar “is not a reflection of (her) leadership but made with consideration for the scope of changes and improvements needed to better serve all students in the district,” Morath said in a statement.

The last three resignations – of Prosper ISD Superintendent Holly Ferguson, Irving ISD Superintendent Magda A. Hernández and Lake Worth ISD Superintendent Mark Ramirez – were announced March 9 and 10, the ABC affiliate reported.

Corey DeAngelis, longtime advocate of school choice and a Heritage Foundation research fellow, told journalists he believes this massive pay for superintendents “motivates them politically.”

“This is why the superintendents fought against school choice in such a fierce way,” he said. “They know they’re not providing additional value.”

These high salaries contribute to increased property taxes for everyone while also limiting resources for classrooms and public-school educators, DeAngelis argued.

“Resources are finite. You only have so many taxpayer dollars to squander, and if it’s going toward the superintendents, it’s not going to the teachers.”