The new, state-appointed superintendent of the Fort Worth Independent School District — alongside other district and city leaders — shared a message of urgency and transparency with a student-first approach on Tuesday morning.
Shortly after Texas Education Agency officials announced Superintendent Peter Licata has assumed the leadership position during a state takeover, alongside nine state appointees for the Board of Managers, he addressed the media to emphasize his focus on meeting children’s basic needs so they are prepared to learn, while noting his plans to be accessible and transparent during his tenure in Fort Worth ISD.
Licata, who most recently served as superintendent of Broward County Public Schools in Florida, also shared plans for professional development and accountability for teachers.
“This is an opportunity for me to bring my skill set to a place that deserves the best,” he said.
Students testing at grade-level proficiency is “the lowest form of acceptance,” he said, noting that he wants students to excel above that level. Licata called the Fort Worth school district’s performance data “depressing” and “offensive.”
Licata acknowledged there would be “upper-level changes and reduction immediately,” and a new organizational chart for district administrators is underway. He doesn’t anticipate the staffing changes will be noticeable on campuses “right now.”
Principals will be more hands-on, staying outside of their office during the school day and worrying about paperwork later, Licata said. Teacher vacancies will be filled, and observations of teachers will have “real-time feedback” to make sure they are maximizing a lesson to its full potential, he said.
“We’re going to put our best generals in our toughest battles, and we’re going to reward them for it,” Licata said.
Peter Licata, the state-appointed superintendent of the Fort Worth school district, was introduced during a news conference Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Reby Cary Youth Library. Samuel O’Neal soneal@star-telegram.com
During the press conference at Reby Cary Youth Library in east Fort Worth, Mayor Mattie Parker also presented four members of the Board of Managers: Luis Galindo, Courtney Lewis, Rosa Marie Berdeja and Pete Geren.
Geren was named president of the board, and Berdeja was named secretary.
Geren first addressed the media by asking, “Why are we here?”
“Student outcomes, student outcomes, student outcomes,” he repeated. “Most of our children cannot read at grade level. Not few, not some, not many — most … In our district, 63% can’t. That’s 40,000 of our children that cannot read at grade level.”
He referenced the district’s current plan to have half of students reading on grade level by 2030. Time is of the essence, Geren said, calling that goal “soft bigotry, low expectations.”
“The kids can’t wait. Houston did not wait, and we won’t wait. It’s go time,” Geren said.
A nine-person Board of Managers is replacing Fort Worth ISD’s elected school board members, starting on March 24, 2026. They are, top row from left: Courtney Lewis, Frost Prioleau and Tennessee Walker; middle: Pete Geren, Bobby Ahdieh and Laurie George; bottom: Luis A. Galindo, Rosa Maria Berdeja and Jay Stegall. Fort Worth ISD
Parker noted there are 11 Fort Worth ISD schools with an F rating, eight of which have three consecutive failed ratings. Almost one in three schools is struggling academically.
“We know that this problem has gone way too long, and I do mean we. This is not something that deserves pointing fingers or blame. We are focused on the future of hope and prosperity for all our kids in this district,” Parker said.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker speaks during a press conference introducing the Fort Worth school district’s Board of Managers and state-appointed superintendent Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Reby Cary Youth Library. Parker was joined by board member Courtney Lewis, left; board chair Pete Geren; Superintendent Peter Licata and his wife, Maria; and board members Rosa Maria Berdeja and Luis Galinda. Samuel O’Neal soneal@star-telegram.com
When asked by a reporter what Licata found in his “homework assignments” for the superintendent job on how the district got to this point, Licata said politics was part of it.
“I certainly don’t want to put any person on the spot, but what I found is the blockade to success for children predicated maybe in politics, long-term relationships or unrealistic expectations that do not promote child success,” Licata said.
Editor’s note: Pete Geren is the president and chief executive officer of the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, which is a funder of the Star-Telegram’s Crossroads Lab. The Star-Telegram retains independence in all coverage decisions.
This story was originally published March 24, 2026 at 1:32 PM.
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Lina Ruiz covers early childhood education in Tarrant County and North Texas for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. A University of Florida graduate, she previously wrote about local government in South Florida for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers.