Fort Worth ISD Trustees React to State Takeover Decision
Fort Worth ISD trustees did not take action on the state’s decision to take over the district at a Tuesday special meeting, saying they hoped recent conversations with the education commissioner would change his mind.
The meeting comes days after some trustees met privately with Education Commissioner Mike Morath in Austin for an informal hearing about the takeover and to highlight the progress the district has made.
District officials can appeal the takeover, though they have not indicated plans to do so.
In a statement read aloud at the meeting, trustees said they were awaiting “the commissioner’s final decision of the informal review” and said they remained “hopeful” last week’s conversation “will lead to a different outcome on behalf of our students and community.”
Background on the Takeover Decision
The takeover of the 70,000-student district came after one of its campuses earned a failing rating for five consecutive years. Morath has said the takeover was necessary to address a widespread, chronic issue of “low levels of support… and academic performance.”
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Under a takeover, Morath will remove the district’s nine-member board of trustees and appoint a board of managers. He will also name a new superintendent.
Karen Molinar, who became the district’s permanent superintendent in March, is a candidate for the role as Morath conducts a nationwide search. Residents living within Fort Worth ISD can apply to serve on the board of managers by Nov. 21. Morath expects to name a conservator soon, and the board of managers and a superintendent in the spring.
Trustees’ Reaction and Next Steps
Trustees conferred in executive session for three hours at Tuesday’s special meeting, where they were slated to consider possible action related to Morath’s Oct. 23 letter informing district officials of the takeover, according to the agenda.
Trustees also conducted Molinar’s annual evaluation, which is required under her contract, in executive session. They did not take any action regarding her salary or the term of her contract.
“While the specific details of the evaluation are confidential, the board was pleased to document Dr. Molinar’s exemplary leadership and dedicated service to the district,” trustees said in their statement.
Morath’s decision to take over Fort Worth ISD makes it the second-largest district to undergo state intervention. TEA took over control of Houston ISD, the state’s biggest district, in 2023.
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Progress and Improvement in Fort Worth ISD
In recent weeks, Fort Worth trustees have asked Morath to reconsider his decision and give Molinar and the board a chance to continue the progress underway.
Fort Worth ISD officials said their schools have improved in accountability ratings over the past year, a sign their reforms are paying off. The district poured over $22 million into literacy and math initiatives that placed more expert teachers in the classroom. Fifty of the district’s schools have moved up at least one letter grade, and the number of F-rated schools has decreased from 31 to 11.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker has commended Molinar’s turnaround efforts and said she believes the takeover has the “potential to be transformative.”
The 2023 failing state rating that triggered the takeover was released this year after lawsuits delayed the state’s A-F academic accountability grades for two years. Fort Worth ISD officials had already closed the failing campus, Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade, after the 2023-24 school year.
Morath has acknowledged the district’s recent improvements and said the closure of the failing campus had no impact on his decision to institute a state takeover.
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Challenges and Expectations
He described the district’s low academic performance as a “long-standing issue” predating COVID-19 disruptions. Only 34% of students in Fort Worth ISD are meeting grade level, 16 percentage points below the state average, according to Morath.
Morath will be looking for evidence that there are no more multiyear failing campuses before the district can return to elected trustee control, he said.
Conclusion
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FAQs
Q: What is the reason behind the state takeover of Fort Worth ISD?
A: The takeover is due to one of the district’s campuses earning a failing rating for five consecutive years, and the district’s low academic performance.
Q: Who will be in charge of the district after the takeover?
A: Education Commissioner Mike Morath will remove the district’s nine-member board of trustees and appoint a board of managers. He will also name a new superintendent.
Q: Can the district appeal the takeover decision?
A: Yes, district officials can appeal the takeover, though they have not indicated plans to do so.
Q: What are the expectations
