Fort Worth ISD trustees lost their legal fight to stop the state takeover of the district<\/a> Thursday, clearing the way for Texas\u2019 education commissioner to install new leadership over the city\u2019s largest school system.<\/p>\n A state administrative court ruled in favor of the Texas Education Agency, concluding no factual disputes would justify overturning Commissioner Mike Morath\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n The ruling upholds Morath\u2019s decision to take control of the nearly 70,000-student district after trustees sought to block the intervention<\/a> in November. The outcome brings months of uncertainty to an end.\u00a0<\/p>\n The administrative law judges\u2019 order can\u2019t be appealed. The final decision explaining the order is expected within 30 days.<\/p>\n District leaders pushed back on the ruling, calling the loss \u201cdeeply disappointing.\u201d<\/p>\n Board president Roxanne Martinez argued the judges disregarded the meaningful progress taking place throughout FWISD and the voices of families and voters who believe in local leadership.\u00a0<\/p>\n Still, trustees said they remain focused on the safety, well-being and success of every student and will continue working with educators and community partners to support the district during the transition.<\/p>\n \u201cOur students deserve steady leadership, strong schools and a community that stands behind them,\u201d she said. \u201cThat remains our unwavering focus.\u201d<\/p>\n Daily classroom instruction is not expected to change immediately, but the ruling removes the final barrier to the intervention.<\/p>\n The three-judge panel removed four affidavits submitted by the state after siding with Fort Worth ISD that the statements included unsupported claims and hearsay.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, that did not change the outcome of the case.<\/p>\n Fort Worth trustees sought the expedited administrative review after Morath ordered the state intervention, which was triggered when the now-closed Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade received five consecutive failing academic ratings<\/a>.<\/p>\n Texas law<\/a> requires the commissioner to either close a persistently failing campus or appoint a board of managers to govern the district \u2014 authority that replaces locally elected trustees. FWISD trustees closed that Forest Oak campus<\/a> in May 2024.<\/p>\n Martinez previously described the appeal<\/a> as a way to secure a deeper review of the facts surrounding the state\u2019s decision, emphasizing trustees wanted to work with state leaders while prioritizing students.<\/p>\n The decision arrives as the state prepares to install new leadership over Fort Worth schools, including the managers and appointing a superintendent, in the coming weeks. Morath has said current leader Karen Molinar is among candidates for the top administrator post.<\/p>\n A TEA spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.\u00a0<\/p>\n Morath appointed a conservator, Christopher Ruszkowski, in November to oversee the transition<\/a>.<\/p>\n State-appointed managers will assume the powers and duties of elected trustees until Morath determines the district has made sufficient academic progress to return to local control \u2014 a process that typically lasts at least two years.<\/p>\n The takeover \u2014 the second-largest in Texas<\/a> \u2014 stems from longstanding academic struggles across the district and has prompted debate among parents, educators and civic leaders<\/a> about how best to improve student outcomes while preserving local voices.<\/p>\n With the administrative review decided, attention now shifts to who will ultimately lead Fort Worth ISD \u2014 and how quickly the state will begin reshaping the district\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n Matthew Sgroi is an education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org or @matthewsgroi1<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n