Dr. Karen Garza was formally named FCPS Superintendent Jack Dale’s replacement in late April.
Garza currently holds the position of superintendent of the Lubbock Independent School District, which has fewer than 30,000 enrolled students, in Lubbock, Texas.
According to The Washington Post, before taking the Lubbock position, Garza was the chief academic officer and second in command of the Houston school system of 200,000 students.
She will begin her tenure as superintendent of Virginia’s largest school district, with an expected 2013-14 enrollment of 180,000 students, July 1.
Even with the vast distance between Texas and Virginia, Garza was familiar with Fairfax County before being named the “preferred candidate” for superintendent.
“Having been in such a large district as Houston, we tend to keep track of other major districts, so I was familiar with Fairfax County,” Garza said in a teleconference with FCPS high school journalists. “I know of its great reputation, track record, and supportive community.”
Garza said that her initial goal once she officially replaces Dale will be to build relationships with stakeholders of the county. She is currently finalizing a relationship building plan that will be implemented within the first sixty days of her job.
“I intend to make it a priority to be accessible to all stakeholders of Fairfax County,” Garza said. “I especially want to be available to students and allow them a voice as much as I legally can.”
To achieve this goal, Garza hopes to continue policies and events that she initiated in Texas.
“In Texas, I hold superintendent roundtables, inviting two juniors and seniors to discuss issues and gain their perspectives,” Garza said. “It is important for students to have a voice because they can give a perspective not considered before.
Garza cites to her experience and enthusiasm as indicators of her strong leadership.
“I’m going to build off Dale and make every effort to be approachable,” Garza said. “But, I’m sure that our leadership styles will differ. I have experience running a large system, and I have a willingness to listen. I’m also a hard worker and a thoughtful, focused leader.”
As for major issues she believes the county will face, Garza believes diminishing resources coupled with increasing expectations will prove to be the greatest challenge of her term.
While Garza believes it is premature to say where FCPS will be in five years, her vision of FCPS includes a greater reliance of technology, closing the achievement gap, and emphasizing college readiness.
“I admire the system for taking a leap and branching out to online textbooks, Garza said. “I think FCPS has acknowledged that we’ve been too aggressive. Online materials are inevitable, and college students of the future will need technology for knowledge and learning.”
In addition to these issues, Garza expressed her criticism of the test-driven mentality that has grown across the country. In the Lubbock district, Garza addressed over-testing epidemic in Lubbock by supporting a school board resolution asking Texas to reduce the standardized test requirement.
“I disagree with the amount of testing we give our students,” Garza said. “There is a place for quality assessments to know when to intervene in student achievement, but the way we measure achievement is taken way too far. It is an emerging conversation across the country and a major source of controversy in Texas. We need to strike a balance with enough assessments but not to take the love out of learning.”
Garza also took a stance supporting later start times for FCPS students, but believes a consensus must be met on the issue and much research must be completed before reaching a decision.
Garza recently wrapped up her first visit to Fairfax County in late April and remarked on the experience.
“I was very impressed,” Garza said. “It was a beautiful community and everyone was so nice, warm, and welcoming to me and my husband. I am ready to make the transition and I look forward to building on past success and moving the county forward.”
