DFW News App

Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD Superintendent Jerry Hollingsworth’s optimism for the future of public education is on full display wherever he goes.He placed hope at the forefront of a two-hour school board workshop meeting examining how to reduce the forthcoming $10 million budget deficit.He embraced ambition as he discussed how to improve academic performance after the district stumbled.He centered community as he stood in the middle of the Tarrant County Commissioners Court meeting room discussing how to boost reading rates.Although he understands the challenges are immense, Hollingsworth knows the powerful impact quality public education can have on children and the broader community. He is using that focus as the new superintendent of Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD to lead the growing northwest Fort Worth district of more than 24,000 students.“Truly what we do matters,” Hollingsworth said. “We can change the trajectory of an entire family by the work we do.”Hollingsworth, a former superintendent in Waxahachie and Bandera ISDs, has led Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD since January. He succeeded Jim Chadwell, a friend and mentor of Hollingsworth who served as superintendent for 14 years.Finding the perfect person to succeed Chadwell was a hard job, school board President Marilyn Tolbert said shortly after Hollingsworth’s hiring.“I’m quite excited and confident that we chose Dr. Hollingsworth as our superintendent,” Tolbert said.‘Be where the game is being played’The challenges and how to wrangle them are clear to Hollingsworth.Manage enrollment growth.“How will I do it? A lot of the same ways we’ve already done it,” Hollingsworth said, adding he will listen to the community and staff about how to improve existing and future buildings.Improving student outcomes.“We have to have enough teachers, enough to effectively staff our classrooms,” he said. “The second thing you want is to have strong systems, strong curricula, strong instructional leaders.”He’s also ready for the financial hurdles that he said were created by the Texas Legislature. Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD has faced deficit budgets for the past two budget cycles and is preparing for another.“We’re only in this situation because the Legislature has refused to increase the per-pupil allocation since 2019,” Hollingsworth said.He sees his job as similar to a football coach. “Nick Saban never coaches from his office. You gotta be where the game is being played,” Hollingsworth said, referring to the retired University of Alabama powerhouse turned ESPN analyst.Saban coached on the field. Hollingsworth leads by being present in schools.Saban’s support coaches were either on the field with him or in the skybox. Hollingsworth’s administrators are in the district’s administration building.“You can have your most productive day in your office and you can get so much done,” Hollingsworth said. “But people don’t think you’re working unless they see you.”‘What the community looks like’Hollingsworth sat in the passenger seat as Chadwell steered his truck around the district on a Friday in November. It was primetime for Friday night lights. Chadwell planned to fully immerse his successor in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD.By chance, Boswell High and Eagle Mountain High played at home while Saginaw High and Chisholm Trail High faced each other. The football tour was a way to introduce Hollingsworth, who had just been named lone finalist for superintendent, to his future school district. It was a homecoming of sorts for Hollingsworth, who grew up in Boyd, attended Texas Christian University and spent most of his education career in Tarrant County.“It is so much more than football, but football is a beautiful, beautiful view of what the community looks like,” Hollingsworth said.Hollingsworth saw that night as the moment his mentor symbolically passed the baton to his mentee and friend.Jerry Hollingsworth

Age: 54

Occupation: Superintendent of Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD

Education:

Doctorate in educational administration, University of North Texas

Master’s in educational administration, UNT

Bachelor’s in political science, Texas Christian University

Experience:

2021-2024: Superintendent of Waxahachie ISD

2018-2022: Superintendent of Bandera ISD

2014-2022: Associate superintendent of educational operations, Burleson ISD

2011-2014: Executive director of instructional leadership-secondary schools, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD

2005-2011: Principal of Grapevine High School, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD

Other experience: Principal of Stephenville High School; principal of Dawson Middle School in Carroll ISD; U.S. government and Spanish teacher in Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD

Family: Married to Ginger Hollingsworth for 29 years. They have three children: Wyatt, 25; Lane, 22; and Clayton, 16. He has one grandchild.

Hobbies: Loves college football. “I’m at Amon G. Carter Stadium every chance I get,” he said.He enjoys outdoor activities, including occasionally hunting and golfing.

He is an avid reader. One of his favorite reads is “Empire of the Summer Moon.”

Why he got into education: Growing up in Boyd, Hollingsworth had great teachers. He developed a strong relationship with his high school principal who guided Hollingsworth on his path into education.Jacob Sanchez is a senior education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at jacob.sanchez@fortworthreport.org or @_jacob_sanchez. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.