{"id":219738,"date":"2026-03-25T13:14:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T13:14:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/219738\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T13:14:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T13:14:17","slug":"ft-worth-mayor-remarks-on-isd-takeover-11-schools-rated-f","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/219738\/","title":{"rendered":"Ft Worth Mayor Remarks On ISD Takeover: 11 Schools Rated F"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n Ft Worth Mayor Remarks On ISD Takeover: 11 Schools Rated F | Image by Mayor Mattie Parker @MayorMattie 12\/19\/25\/X <\/p>\n

After the Texas Education Agency appointed new leadership for Fort Worth ISD, Mayor Mattie Parker outlined the district\u2019s current problems and expressed hope that the state takeover would help students.<\/p>\n

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath appointed<\/a> Superintendent Peter Licata and nine members to a board of managers to oversee Fort Worth ISD, effective March 24, as The Dallas Express reported. The same day, Parker posted a letter<\/a> online, highlighting the district\u2019s \u201csobering\u201d challenges.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to know where we stand today in order to know where we are headed for the future of Fort Worth ISD. The reality is sobering,\u201d Parker wrote. \u201c11 Fort Worth ISD schools currently have an \u2018F\u2019 rating and 8 of those schools have received failing ratings for three consecutive years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Statement from Mayor Mattie Parker regarding new Fort Worth ISD Superintendent and Board of Managers pic.twitter.com\/wCOoU8Jl38<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mayor Mattie Parker (@MayorMattie) March 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Nearly one in three district schools is \u201cstruggling academically,\u201d according to Parker. Only one in three students can read at grade level, and fewer than one in five middle schoolers will earn a degree or credential within six years after graduating from high school.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen a problem has gone on too long, we have a responsibility to call out the problem and help fix it,\u201d Parker wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As The Dallas Express reported, the TEA\u00a0 announced<\/a> the takeover in 2025 after Fort Worth ISD repeatedly fell short of academic standards. For the district to leave<\/a> state oversight, it must first reach certain criteria.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, the board of managers serves<\/a> as the interim board of trustees. It will similarly be responsible for managing the district, holding public board meetings, and meeting the same legal requirements and obligations.<\/p>\n

Licata began working under a 21-day interim contract on March 24, awaiting official board approval. He has more than 30 years of education experience, most recently working as superintendent of Broward County Public Schools in Florida.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has a humble nature and the conviction that this job is focused on student outcomes,\u201d Parker wrote.<\/p>\n

The new board of managers includes<\/a> former Democrat U.S. Rep. Pete Geren, Texas A&M-Fort Worth COO Bobby Ahdieh, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Member Courtney Lewis, Recovery Resource Council Chair Rosa Maria Berdeja, Fort Worth ISD parent and former teacher Laurie George, Fort Worth ISD parent and Attorney Tennessee Walker, Attorney Luis Galindo, businessman Jay Stegall, and businessman Frost Prioleau.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Parker emphasized the district is still under local control during the takeover, citing board members\u2019 ties to the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have made it clear that this effort has to be led by our Fort Worth community,\u201d she said. \u201cOur mission is to make sure that every single student in our city, regardless of their background or their zip code, has access to and attains, not just an education, but an excellent education.\u201d<\/p>\n