Fort Worth ISD is facing the possibility of a state takeover after years of academic failures, prompting a visit this week from Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) notified Fort Worth ISD that state intervention may be required due to continued poor performance at a now-closed school, raising the possibility of a state takeover or further campus closures.
In a May 5 letter, Morath informed Superintendent Karen Molinar and board President Roxanne Martinez that the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade — which closed after the 2023-24 school year — had failed to meet state standards for five straight years. State law requires action in such cases, giving Morath options that include appointing a board of managers to replace the elected leadership or closing additional campuses.
Texas law mandates a takeover when a campus receives five consecutive failing ratings. Morath also visited William James Middle School, which has carried an “F” grade since 2021.
“Our job is to make sure you have access to a great school,” Morath told reporters.
Superintendent Molinar told CBS News in August that the district has shown improvements since she took over in 2024.
“[Morath] really needs to make a decision,” Molinar said. “It’s not just around that 2023 score. It really is about what changes are we putting in place as a large urban system to sustain this progress and actually accelerate it,” she told CBS News.