Fairfax County Public Schools announces new superintendent

Garza will replace Jack Dale as superintendent of the Fairfax County Public Schools system (photo courtesy of FCPS).

After a nearly yearlong search, the Fairfax County School Board has decided on a new superintendent to replace Jack Dale, who will be leaving the position after nine years.

Karen Garza, a Texas native who has held positions as a schoolteacher, principal and administrator over the past 26 years, was chosen to replace Dale.

According to an article in the Washington Post, members of the Fairfax County School Board believed Garza to be “uniquely suited to lead Fairfax” because of her history as a teacher and administrator in different environments. 

Garza received her doctorate from the University of Texas and currently serves as superintendent of the Lubbock Interdisciplinary School District in Texas.

In Fairfax County, Garza will lead a school system with a $2.5 billion budget, 196 schools, 24,000 employees and 181,000 students.

FCPS has faced budget challenges over the past few years and is also grappling with increasing enrollment.

“I am humbled and very thankful to the Board and the whole FCPS community for this wonderful opportunity,” said Dr. Garza in a FCPS statement. “Fairfax County Public Schools has a long tradition of excellence and has consistently been one of the premier school systems in the country. I look forward to continuing that tradition and working very closely with the Board and the other division stakeholders to achieve even greater success for the students of FCPS.”

In the past, George Mason University has worked with FCPS on various projects, mainly through the university’s education program.