Fort Worth ISD has named new leaders at more than 30 campuses as the state-run district reshapes campus leadership following the Texas Education Agency takeover.
District officials have framed the changes as part of an effort to align school leadership with Superintendent Peter Licata’s academic priorities.
“Fort Worth ISD is focused on strategic realignments under Superintendent Dr. Licata’s leadership,” a district spokesperson told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Texas Education Agency replaced Fort Worth ISD’s elected board with a state-appointed board of managers and named Peter Licata superintendent in 2026 following years of academic underperformance.
Since taking over, state-appointed leaders have prioritized improving student outcomes and restructuring district operations.
Enrollment Declines Continue Across Texas
The leadership changes come as public school districts across Texas grapple with declining enrollment.
According to Texas 2036, statewide public school enrollment fell below 5.5 million students during the 2025-26 school year, marking the first year-over-year decline since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decline represented a 1.4% decrease, or approximately 76,000 students.
Fort Worth ISD has experienced enrollment losses of its own in recent years and recently approved the closure of 18 campuses.
The district is not alone. According to advocacy group Our Schools, Our Democracy, school districts including Lewisville ISD, Plano ISD, Coppell ISD, and Austin ISD have also faced declining enrollment and school closures.
Licata Seeks To Retain Top Educators
While district leaders continue to recruit new principals, Licata has emphasized that Fort Worth ISD hopes to retain many current campus leaders.
“We’re trying to convince some of them that are really, really good that want to leave, to please stay,” Licata told the Star-Telegram in April.
“Please, please, please stay. But we already accounted for about 40-60 percent (of teachers and principals to remain in place), so that’s what we’re preparing for. We’ll know more as time goes on.”
Licata said the district’s selection process for principals is rigorous and focused on identifying leaders who can drive academic improvement.
The district has not publicly disclosed how many principal positions are currently vacant or how many leadership changes are expected ahead of the upcoming school year.
The Dallas Express reached out to Fort Worth ISD for comment but did not receive a response.
