The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has appointed a state conservator to oversee Fort Worth ISD’s transition as the agency prepares to assume full control of the district, citing chronic academic and governance concerns.
The TEA selected Christopher Ruszkowski, CEO of the South Carolina Children’s Fund and a former middle school teacher, to serve as conservator — a state-appointed official empowered to direct or override district operations when local governance fails to meet state standards. Ruszkowski previously led accountability reforms aimed at turning around low-performing schools.
TEA Commissioner Mike Morath announced the appointment in a letter to Fort Worth ISD, stating he intends to replace both the elected school board and Superintendent Karen Molinar in the coming months.
Molinar said she plans to reapply for her position despite the pending state takeover. “The focus remains on meeting the needs of our students in FWISD,” she told the Fort Worth Report. “Our employees are committed to providing high-quality, on-level instruction each day in every classroom across our district.”
The Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees issued a statement opposing the intervention. “We believe our district has demonstrated meaningful progress and that local governance, supported by our community, is essential to sustained student success,” the board said.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the TEA’s move marks one of the most significant state interventions in Texas public education since the 2023 takeover of Houston ISD, which remains under state management. District officials said they hope lessons from Houston’s experience will help minimize classroom disruptions and maintain stability for teachers and students.
The board’s statement prompted backlash from residents who accused trustees of mismanagement and denial. In a Facebook post, local group FWISD Watchdog wrote:
“The Trustees are delusional and unwilling to accept any blame for the Texas Education Agency takeover. Is this surprising… not at all. The Trustees, over the last decade, have treated the students as pawns and teachers as piñatas. They have their donors’ best interest. They love the perks they get. Just ask Anael Luebanos about the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.”