Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath, in a statement Wednesday, said the Texas Education Agency “will move forward with the selection of a new superintendent.”

FORT WORTH, Texas — The Fort Worth Independent School District is getting a new superintendent as part of the recent state takeover.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath in a statement Wednesday said the Texas Education Agency “will move forward with the selection of a new superintendent” to replace Karen Molinar, who was named superintendent in March 2025.

However, it was announced in October that the struggling district would be taken over by the Texas Education Agency, an intervention required by state law due to one of the district’s campuses receiving a fifth straight unacceptable academic accountability rating.

The state takeover includes appointing a new board of managers for the school district, and now, apparently, a new superintendent.

Morath thanked Molinar “for her nearly three decades of service” to the district and said the decision to replace her “is not a reflection of Dr. Molinar’s leadership but made with consideration for the scope of changes and improvements needed to better serve all students in the district.”

“These needs require specialized leadership that can rapidly improve the trajectory of the district,” Morath said in the statement. 

Molinar, in a letter to students and families, said she went through an interview process with Morath to keep her job but was ultimately informed she would not continue as superintendent.

“I entered this role with a clear understanding of both the challenges of addressing district deficiencies and the opportunities to implement changes that have resulted in significant academic progress for our students,” Molinar said. “Fort Worth is my home, and the FWISD community is my family. I have embraced both the challenges and opportunities with an unwavering dedication to serving FWISD families and students.”

Molinar’s last day with the district has not been announced. She said she will remain in the role “until further notice from” the Texas Education Agency.