Teachers, parents express hope, fear as Texas takes control of FWISD’s future

De Zavala Elementary parents see an opportunity through the state takeover of Fort Worth ISD: Possibly saving their school.

Teacher Scott Blanco-Davis and FWISD PTA Council President Lupe Lynch said they will continue pushing for better support for educators and increased parental engagement. 

The United Educators Association’s Steven Poole, though, warned of a potential teacher exodus once the state fully assumes control.

Parents, FWISD staff and community members voiced hope and concerns Tuesday during the trustees’ first meeting since the Texas Education Agency launched a takeover of the 65,700-student district. The locally elected school board will soon lose its authority to the state.

“We’re at a crossroads,” De Zavala Elementary father Gabe Moreno said.

Moreno and other parents of De Zavala students repeatedly appealed for reconsideration of closing their south Fort Worth campus, which earned four straight A grades under the state’s academic accountability system. Trustees approved the closure of the school in May citing low enrollment.

Who’s in charge?

Day-to-day: Current trustees and Superintendent Karen Molinar until Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath installs a conservator and, later, a board of managers and superintendent.

Governing power: Shifts to board of managers in the spring.

Elections: Continue on schedule; elected trustees serve without authority during takeover.

How to apply to the board of managers: Texas Education Agency is accepting applications from FWISD residents; due Nov. 21. Apply here.

High-performing schools should be replicated — not closed — if the state’s mission is to boost student success quickly, they said. 

“I implore the TEA to reexamine the current strategy for school closures and for promoting schools that are meeting and exceeding standards,” De Zavala mother Liz Conville said.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced the takeover Oct. 23. The state intervention was prompted by the now-closed Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade posting five consecutive F grades under the accountability ratings that are largely based on STAAR results. 

Morath said last week that nothing changes immediately in daily FWISD operations. He expects to appoint a conservator soon to monitor the transition and then name a board of managers, as well as a superintendent, in the spring. The managers essentially will take over the trustees’ duties.

Trustees are meeting with Morath on Thursday for an informal review of the takeover in Austin.

Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Karen Molinar listens to public comment during a board meeting on Oct. 28, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)

Karen Molinar, a nearly 30-year Fort Worth ISD educator who became superintendent in March, remains in charge for now and is a candidate for the district’s next leader, Morath said.

Molinar didn’t address the state’s takeover during her report to trustees on Tuesday. Instead, she focused on the district’s upcoming parent-teacher conference day on Nov. 11; a plan addressing students’ writing skills; and teed up a conversation about college, career and military readiness.

FWISD teacher Lynn McGuff thanked trustees for their service even as they are about to be replaced by state-appointed managers. Tobi Jackson, who was elected in 2010, is the longest-serving trustee. The next longest is Anael Luebanos, who was elected in 2017. The remaining seven trustees were elected after 2019, with Kevin Lynch as the newest member joining the board in 2023.

“ There’s so much I could say about the state takeover of our district and a test that has been elevated to unbelievable proportions about unrealistic expectations put on teachers by state officials, and about our voice being silenced by taking away our publicly elected representatives,” McGuff said, referring to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, tests.

The Fort Worth ISD Council of PTAs pledged its support to current district leaders, Lynch told trustees. However, the organization must prepare for what comes next.

 ”We are already grooming our local leaders to step in and apply for the board of managers so that we have some percentage of local voice,” Lynch said.

Texas Education Agency officials are seeking applicants from the district until Nov. 21. They will screen those who apply, train them in school board governance and conduct interviews before Morath makes his selections.

A majority of the board of managers must be residents of the district, according to state law. Managers will serve for two years unless the commissioner extends a takeover.

Blanco-Davis has been a teacher since the early 1990s. He’s witnessed repeated leadership shifts over the past decade — some hitting the district worse than others, he said.

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“I don’t know where our future lies. I don’t know what TEA is going to do. I do know that I’ve been worried about the district for a long time,” said Blanco-Davis, a science teacher at World Languages Institute.

He applied for a seat on the board of managers, he said.

Steven Poole, executive director of the United Educators Association, speaks to trustees during public comment at a Fort Worth ISD board meeting on Oct. 28, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)

Poole and the United Educators’ Association, which represents thousands of employees across the district, are also worried about the district’s future. 

Speaking to trustees, Poole addressed his fear that teachers will leave in large numbers following the state’s intervention. 

“Every Fort Worth student deserves a highly trained, certified teacher in front of them every single day,” Poole said.

Jacob Sanchez is education editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at jacob.sanchez@fortworthreport.org or @_jacob_sanchez.

Matthew Sgroi is an education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org or @matthewsgroi1. 

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