FORTH WORTH Walter Dansby, who became the first black superintendent of the Fort Worth Independent School District two years ago, submitted his resignation on Monday evening.
As he walked out of the meeting with trustees, Dansby briefly spoke with News 8.
'I'm looking forward to a little relief, a little retirement,' he said. He wouldn't elaborate on what led to his departure.
Dansby has spent four decades in the Fort Worth ISD, beginning his career as a history teacher at Rosemont Middle School.
A crowded board room reacted with shouts when the decision was announced.
Afterwards, Pastor Kyev Tatum of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and a local leader in the African-American community expressed dismay, and said it was clear Dansby was forced to quit.
'Any superintendent knows how to count,' Tatum said, referencing the majority of school board members who voted to accept the resignation. 'You can't change anything in three years, and that is all he had.'
Dansby's last day on the job will be June 9.
It was not immediately clear how much the district would have to pay to buy out Dansby's contract. He makes around $335,000 annually, making him one of the highest paid officials in Tarrant County.
E-mail tunger@wfaa.com
