With Fort Worth ISD now under the oversight of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), teachers are expressing concern about the future of their schools and students.
The state intervention follows years of academic underperformance at a now-closed campus that triggered mandatory action under Texas law. The TEA formally announced the takeover last week, citing a statute requiring state intervention when a campus receives failing ratings for five consecutive years.
Under the plan, Education Commissioner Mike Morath will appoint a new board made up of Fort Worth parents, community members, and professionals. The board will oversee the district until it meets state academic benchmarks for several consecutive years — a process that could take considerable time.
“We were swamped yesterday with phone calls and emails,” said Executive Director of the United Educators Association, Steven Poole, according to WFAA. “Many teachers are asking what’s next for Fort Worth ISD—for their schools, their students, and themselves.”
“The fear of the unknown is valid,” Poole said, according to WFAA.
“So we validate their concerns, we validate their emotions. We saw it in Houston — when the state took over Houston, teachers fled that district. I bet we’re going to see the exact same thing here in Fort Worth.”
Despite the uncertainty, Poole praised Superintendent Karen Molinar as the type of leader Fort Worth ISD needs during the transition.
“She’s the leader that Fort Worth needs right now,” Poole said. “In the small amount of time she’s been superintendent, we’ve seen remarkable achievement increases.”
“You go to any Fort Worth school, you’re going to see great teaching and good learning going on,” Poole added.
Molinar, who took over earlier this year, acknowledged the TEA intervention but said she remains focused on student success.
“It’s been a long day,” Molinar said. “Focused. I think that’s the right word—really focused right now on making sure our students are kept at the forefront,” she told WFAA.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker also expressed support for keeping Molinar in her role, telling Education Commissioner Mike Morath she wants continuity in district leadership.
“I’m going to tell the parents—we own that, but we’re doing something about it. And now we’re committed to making sure we accelerate your child,” Molinar said.
The TEA’s decision marks one of the largest state interventions in Texas public education since the 2023 takeover of Houston ISD, which remains under state management. Fort Worth officials said they hope lessons learned from Houston will help ease the transition and limit classroom disruptions.
Community leaders and parents are expected to weigh in during upcoming public meetings as the state outlines its plan for selecting a new board of managers and setting performance goals for the district.
The TEA has not yet announced the full timeline for appointing the new board of managers, although applications are open through Nov. 21, 2025, and interim leadership will remain until early 2026.