Local LULAC leaders support Hispanic woman for Fort Worth superintendent

Tarrant County area LULAC leaders told school trustees that they were upset a qualified Hispanic woman was not named to Fort Worth school’s interim superintendent post in favor of a man who has fewer qualifications.

Chief of Administration Sylvia Reyna, (pictured at left) who came to the district last summer after nearly 30 years in San Antonio area public schools, holds a superintendent certification and a doctorate, her supporters pointed out at tonight’s meeting. “We women need not be overlooked for positions,” said Deborah Lott, an area LULAC leader who is African American.

Walter Dansby, who has been in the Fort Worth district 37 years and was previously deputy superintendent, was named interim superintendent earlier this month. Dansby, who is black, has said he began taking the superintendent certification test last summer but did not complete it when he had to address issues related to school construction. He has served as a teacher, coach, principal and administrator in Fort Worth and most recently oversaw the bond program.

Reyna’s supporters note that 60 percent of Fort Worth’s students are Hispanic and nearly a third are limited-English speakers. Reyna holds a bachelor’s in Spanish and French.

Reyna said she was surprised and honored by the community’s show of support for her. She said she supports Dansby as he takes on his new duties.

When asked if she was interested in the post permanently, Reyna replied, “Certainly, I'm qualified. If it's in the cards, I would take that opportunity.”Dansby replaces outgoing superintendent Melody Johnson, who resigned from the district after nearly six years.

Trustee Carlos Vasquez, one of Dansby's most vocal supporters, said at the time of the interim appointment that he was asked by others why he didn’t push for a Hispanic candidate. He said then that he wasn’t looking at race but for the most qualified person, which he said Dansby is.

Dansby has said he is not interested in the position permanently but will serve as long as the district needs him. A noon reception is planned Friday by a coalition of Black and Hispanic leaders for the community to meet Dansby. It will be at the Villas of Eastwood Terrace, 4700 E. Berry St.

-Eva-Marie Ayala

 

Comments

[ACitizen]

"Reyna’s supporters note that 60 percent of Fort Worth’s students are Hispanic and nearly a third are limited-English speakers."

Maybe they should learn how to speak English without limitations..... my grandparents did -- one hundred and tewnty-five years ago. When we stop catering to THEIR limitations, they will OVERCOME them.

[Common Sense]

League of United LATIN American Citizens supporting a Hispanic candidate. This is news?
If this was a predominantly anglo group supporting an anglo candidate it would be rascism, but when LULAC does it everybody is afraid to speak out and rightly so considering the nonsensical but inevitable backlash.
The quote of "we women need not be overlooked" rings hollow when your outgoing superintendent is female.

[Eric Watson]

There is a Huge difference between San Antonio and Ft. Worth. Is it fair to say a man with 37 years and a very well rounded resume is not as qualified because he doesn’t hold the same degrees. Need I remind us all that George W Bush graduated from Harvard. His resume is impressive yet there is some debate about if he was the right person for the job :^). The only reason why I’m commenting is because I think the argument can be made that she lacks the necessary experience of dealing with Ft. Worth due to she just arrived last summer and he has spent 37 years working in the district.

Women should have equal rights in all things but should not get the job based on race, gender or native language. Unfortunately I have seen LULAC scream foul the majority of the time when things don’t go their way. I wonder where the NAACP is in support of Mr. Dansby? I guess that’s why Mrs. Lott is not with them anymore…….

[Hannah Below]

You know... as a school district employee for 20+ years I am not sure that because she is Hispanic that is a great reason to make her the supt.....I am so completely tired of the race card.....send the illegals home and then see how many of the students are hispanic....I am just sick and tired of the race card....

[Shaneekwa Gonzalez Hakim-Goldstein]

Whatever happened to getting the best person for the job ? Not just some kind of demographic that makes a bunch of uneducated, illegals proud so they dont have to learn english at all. On the minority-catered DISD - See what happens when hiring by race goes rapant ? You get the DISD - one of the worse education systems there are - gee thanks LULAC & NAACP !!!
Hire the best PERSON for the position - not the best beaner or monkey