Northwest ISD appoints interim superintendent, selects search firm after leader’s death

The Northwest school district board Thursday night unanimously approved the appointment of Michael Griffin as its interim superintendent after David Hicks, hired as leader of the district last year, died Sept. 9.

The district also selected Leasor Crass, the same firm that assisted in hiring Hicks, to help in its search for the next full-time superintendent.

Griffin has been with the district for about 20 years, serving as vice superintendent of curriculum and instruction since 2018, the district said in a news release.

Griffin has worked in jobs including a teacher, assistant principal, principal and executive director of elementary education at Northwest school district, according to the district.

Hicks died Sept. 9 after a “medical emergency,” the district announced on Twitter that night. He was 55.

“Dr. Hicks had made an immediate impact on the staff and students of Northwest ISD, and we will miss him dearly,” the Northwest school district said in a news release. “Many of you quickly came to appreciate his kindness and earnestness, traits that made him an excellent leader and friend. Our board is committed to supporting the Hicks family in their time of need, as well as you all as the teachers and staff of Northwest ISD, and our students and community as a whole.”

Hicks joined the district as its superintendent earlier this year. Hicks previously served as superintendent of the Sherman school district.

Hicks began his career in education as a middle school teacher in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district and moved up to campus leadership in that district. He worked as a principal there as well as Grapevine-Colleyville ISD before moving into district administration with Denton’s school district before his time in Sherman.

Hicks was known as a “gentle giant” by his colleagues and former students, who remember him arriving at school in a tiny red car and greeting everyone with a smile. He kept in touch with those students and colleagues throughout his career in school districts across North Texas

“Everyone really actually liked him as a principal, where sometimes kids are not the fondest of principals,” Terri Truong, a former student, said.

“He was like a gentle giant in the sense of like, he was … massive, tall,” she said. “He was so gracious. And he just had such a warming presence where everyone just felt so appreciated.”

Northwest ISD has students and campuses across 14 cities, including in Fort Worth.