Fort Worth schools kick off the new school year Aug. 12 under the looming threat of a state takeover.
But what does that mean for the 70,000-student district that employs nearly 10,000 people?
Here are answers to a few questions parents and community members are asking about what happens if Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath takes control of Fort Worth ISD.
Takeover questions
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Let us know what questions you want us to address about the potential takeover. Send your questions to hello@fortworthreport.org and we will update this story with what we know.
What does a takeover of Texas schools mean?
The Texas Education Agency commissioner intervenes and replaces an elected school board with a slate of appointed members when a takeover occurs.
Those appointed members form a board of managers who then exercise the power and duties assigned to trustees in overseeing the management of a public school district.
What triggers a state takeover?
Persistent low academic performance — largely determined by STAAR results — can lead to a takeover.
The commissioner intervenes when either a school or the district receives a failing grade in the state’s A-F accountability ratings for five consecutive years.
State law requires the commissioner to either close the failing campus or appoint a new board of managers.
Other reasons can lead to intervention, including:
Why is Fort Worth ISD facing a potential takeover?
Five years of failing accountability grades at the now-closed Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade triggered the Texas law.
The school board closed the campus in 2024 with trustees and district leaders citing they took a proactive approach to meet TEA requirements.
Who makes the decision about a takeover?
The Texas education commissioner decides whether the state takes over a school district.
The current education commissioner is Mike Morath.
Who is Mike Morath?
He is the state’s education commissioner and leads the Texas Education Agency, which oversees public schools.
Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Morath to the position in January 2016. Morath previously served as a Dallas school trustee for four years.
Has the state taken over school districts before?
Over the past three decades, the state has taken control of 15 school districts.
The biggest was of the 183,000-student Houston ISD. The state took control in 2023 and extended the takeover for two years.
Morath replaced Houston’s school trustees and superintendent.
When will Morath make a decision?
Morath told state senators Aug. 6 he expects to make a decision this fall.
Morath has met with district leaders and plans to visit schools in September, Fort Worth ISD spokesperson Jessica Becerra previously said in a statement.
How is a board of managers appointed?
The education commissioner appoints members to a board of managers during a takeover.
Should that happen here, the Texas Education Agency will seek applications in Fort Worth ISD for prospective board members. The agency works with the local Regional Education Center to host community meetings about the role.
TEA officials will screen applications, train candidates in school board governance and interview contenders.
Appointees must, if possible, include:
- Community leaders
- Business representatives who have expertise in leadership
- Individuals who have knowledge or expertise in education
A majority of the board of managers must be residents of the district.
A board of managers serves for two years unless the education commissioner extends a takeover.
Jacob Sanchez is education editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at jacob.sanchez@fortworthreport.org or @_jacob_sanchez.
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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