Peter Licata, a former school superintendent in Florida, will be the new leader of Fort Worth ISD during a state takeover of the district, Texas Education Agency officials announced Tuesday.
Licata is the former superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, the nation’s sixth-largest school district. He steps into the top job in Fort Worth ISD on Tuesday.
Licata began his career as a classroom teacher before moving into several leadership roles in the Palm Beach County School District. He became Broward County superintendent in 2023 and resigned the following year, citing health issues.
TEA officials also announced a state-appointed board of managers to replace the district’s elected board of trustees during the takeover. Members of the state-appointed board are:
Bobby Abdieh, dean of the Texas A&M University School of Law
Rose Marie Berdeja, chair-elect of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and chair of the board of directors of the Recovery Resource Council
Luis Galindo, an attorney and adjunct professor at Texas Wesleyan University
Laurie George, a parent, former educator and Ph.D. candidate
Pete Geren, former Congressman and secretary of the Army and current president and CEO of the Sid W. Richardson Foundation
Courtney Lewis, a finance and banking professional
Frost Prioleau, founder of the advertising platform Simpli.fi
Jay Stegall, a businessman in the restaurant, retail and consumer packaged goods industries
Tennessee Walker, an attorney and Fort Worth ISD parent
Licata will be introduced at a 10 a.m. news conference in Fort Worth.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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