After state takeover, Fort Worth ISD superintendent uses one word to describe district’s main goal and future

“Focused. I think that’s the right word—really focused right now on making sure our students are kept at the forefront,” Dr. Karen Molinar said.

FORT WORTH, Texas — After months of anticipation, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has officially announced a state takeover of Fort Worth ISD.

“It’s been a long day,” Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar said. “Focused. I think that’s the right word—really focused right now on making sure our students are kept at the forefront.”

TEA Commissioner Mike Morath confirmed the decision to Molinar, saying the move comes after years of underperformance in parts of the district. 

“This action is necessitated because of really chronic low levels of performance of support given to students in Fort Worth,” Mike Morath said.

Fort Worth ISD is one of North Texas’s largest and most diverse school districts, serving more than 70,000 students across 130 campuses. But the district continues to face challenges with academic gaps and declining enrollment.

The state takeover was triggered by Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade, a campus that failed accountability ratings for five straight years. Although the district closed the school, state law still required intervention because of its repeated failing grades.

“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,” Dr. Karen Molinar said.

For now, Molinar will remain as superintendent. But under the state’s takeover plan, Commissioner Morath will have the authority to appoint a new superintendent and a state board of managers to replace the district’s elected trustees.

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker spoke directly with Morath about Molinar’s role moving forward. “I personally expressed my interest in Dr. Molinar staying in her position,” Mattie Parker said.

Since coming under increased state scrutiny, Molinar’s leadership has helped reduce the number of F-rated campuses from 31 to 11, with more than 50 campuses improving their TEA letter grades.

“Now we’re just going to tweak it and get better and better, but the implementation is non-negotiable. And now the accountability—it comes on my part, from my cabinet to our executive directors to our principals,” Molinar said.

Commissioner Morath said the ultimate goal is to return control of the district once student performance consistently improves. “So that kids have access to great schools, can grow in there and challenge them and help them read, write, and do math and do it at high levels,” Mike Morath said.

Morath added that once that happens, the TEA will relinquish control back to Fort Worth ISD.