Fort Worth leaders are largely throwing their support behind Fort Worth Superintendent Peter Licata, who was appointed to the post Tuesday by Texas Education Agency.
Licata has spent most of his education career in South Florida, serving as superintendent of the Broward County Public Schools, which includes Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Hollywood. It is one of the largest school districts in the United States, with an enrollment of 250,000 and staff of 32,000.
He stepped down in 2024 after less than a year, citing health reasons, according to WPTV-TV, the NBC affiliate in West Palm Beach.
Licata guided the Broward County district to an “A” rating, its first in over a decade, and removed all D and F ratings from schools in the district during his tenure.
City leaders who spoke to the Star-Telegram said they see Licata’s appointment by the TEA as a positive step for the struggling district. Mayor Mattie Parker introduced Licata during a news conference at Reby Cary Youth Library on Tuesday morning, saying his vision for the district is what the district needs right now.
“Our mission is to make sure that every single student in our city has access and attains not just education, but an excellent education,” Parker said. “We are focused on the future of hope and prosperity for all our kids in this district. All students, regardless of their background, their income, their ZIP code, they deserve to achieve at high levels, and we have the leadership in place that will support them in doing so.”
Also on hand at Licata’s introductory press conference were four members of the district’s state-appointed Board of Managers. When the TEA takes over a district, it has the ability to name a new superintendent and replace the school board with a state-appointed one. The agency tapped Pete Geren, a former congressman and the CEO of the Fort Worth-based Sid W. Richardson Foundation, as the chair of the Board of Managers.
Geren said Licata was just who the district needed to guide it toward success.
“Wherever Peter goes, students win,” he said. “At Fort Worth ISD, students will win because of Peter.”
Roxanne Martinez, who was president of the school board before the takeover, said she will remain committed to the students, educators and families despite being removed from her post.
“This morning’s announcement by the TEA naming a board of managers and a new superintendent marks a significant shift in the governance of our district, moving authority from locally elected leadership to state-appointed oversight,” Martinez wrote in a social media post. “I am incredibly grateful to have served alongside my fellow board members, who have given their time, energy, and leadership to this community.”
Martinez did not comment on Licata or any of the new school board appointees.
Members of the former school board Anne Darr and Wallace Bridges told the Star-Telegram they hope for a smooth transition that will benefit students.
“For the sake of the students, staff, families, and the greater Fort Worth community, I pray that this transition is smooth, thoughtful and successful,” Darr said.
Bridges, who resigned from the school board after the State Board of Education declined the district’s appeal of the takeover in Februray, said he is in full support of Licata and the new board of managers but expressed some concern for students he described as “high-need.”
“I want to make it clear that I am 110% in support of the new superintendent and the Board of Managers,” Bridges told the Star-Telegram. “At the end of the day, my priority is our young people, especially our highest-need students, who too often don’t end up on the winning side of these takeovers.”
Politicians shared optimism on social media, including state Sen. Taylor Rehmet, Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare and County Commissioner Manny Ramirez.
“Remarkable list of qualified leaders,” Ramirez, a Republican, wrote on social media. “Looking forward to great things for [Fort Worth school district.]”
Said O’Hare, a Republican: “Looking forward to seeing where new leadership takes Fort Worth ISD. All students deserve a high-quality education and taxpayers deserve well-run schools.”
Rehmet, who represents part of the city, acknowledged that he is still skeptical that a takeover is the appropriate course of action but commended the district’s new leadership for their willingness to step up for students.
“When we imagine truly successful schools, we don’t just imagine strong state test scores,” Rehmet wrote. “We envision places where students feel safe, supported, and challenged. I am grateful for the new board members’ and superintendent’s willingness to serve our community. I look forward to working with them to improve student outcomes, better support our teachers, and restore control of the district to our community-elected board as soon as possible.”
Brandon Hall, a member of the Texas State Board of Education, expressed optimism in a statement.
Hall, a Republican from Aledo, represents portions of the school district. He said now is the time for Fort Worth parents and residents to engage with the district.
“I am hopeful that this new chapter presents a real opportunity for positive change in Fort Worth ISD,” Hall wrote. “While I do not yet know Dr. Licata personally, I look forward to meeting him and learning more about his background and his plans to improve outcomes from students across the district.”
Fort Worth school district was taken over by the TEA after the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade received its fifth consecutive F grade in the state’s yearly accountability ratings. That triggered a Texas law that allows the state to either take over the entire district or close the campus that received the F ratings.
Twenty campuses have had unacceptable ratings for at least two years. Eight schools in the district have three consecutive years of failing grades, from 2023-2025.
The district attempted to appeal the takeover decision with the State Board of Education, but the board ultimately sided with the state to allow the takeover to proceed.
Ken Kuhl, who is on the Fort Worth ISD Council of PTAs and is a vocal advocate for improved education in Fort Worth, said he will now shift his advocacy to supporting Licata and the new school board.
“I attended the Board of Managers training with these nine finalists and know them to care first and foremost about our moral obligation to all FWISD students, not just some, and to the difficult, systemic changes necessary to make FWISD a destination ISD, a shining star in our great and growing city,” Kuhl said. “I choose to believe that is what we will achieve for FWISD students if we can all come together for them now in this crucial moment.”
Other leaders of local education advocacy groups also weighed in on Licata’s appointment, including the United Educators Association, Families Organized Resisting Takeover and the Fort Worth Education Partnership.
A spokesperson for Families Organized Resisting Takeover told the Star-Telegram the organization is hopeful the newly appointed leaders will listen to the community when stepping into their new roles.
“Our focus continues to be on improving student outcomes for every Fort Worth child,” the spokesperson wrote. “We urge the new FWISD leadership and the TEA to rebuild trust without community through transparency and communication. FORT will continue to work to keep the community informed, building a community of engaged parents and educators.”
Steven Poole, the executive director of Fort Worth’s United Educators Association, gave the Star-Telegram a similar response. He plans to hold the new district leaders accountable as they work toward improving the district.
“The Commissioner of Education wants quick improvement,” Poole said. “The new superintendent and board of managers need to share their vision for what that will look like for Fort Worth. I will work to hold them accountable and held to the same high standard to which the state has held the district.”
But Brent Beasley, CEO of the Fort Worth Education Partnership, said in a statement to the Star-Telegram he is impressed with the group that has been appointed to lead the district.
“For too long, most Fort Worth students have not been able to perform academically at the level they should,” Beasley said. “I think we have to approach this new day for FWISD as an opportunity to make Fort Worth a place where every child learns to read well no matter where they live or what school they go to.”
This story was originally published March 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM.
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Samuel O’Neal is a local news reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram covering higher education and local news in Fort Worth. He joined the team in December 2025 after previously working as a staff writer at the Philadelphia Inquirer. He graduated from Temple University, where he served as the Editor-in-Chief of the school’s student paper, The Temple News.