FORT WORTH, Texas — The Fort Worth Independent School District is facing mounting pressure as the Texas Education Agency (TEA) considers whether to take control of the district.
This week, Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar introduced a new improvement plan she calls a “resource campus” model. At least six schools will see more staff, smaller class sizes and added student support beginning next year. Molinar says the plan is designed to hold leadership accountable, improve student outcomes and prove to the state that local leaders can manage the turnaround themselves.
The threat of a takeover stems from years of low performance at Jacquet Middle School. Although the district consolidated that campus, the TEA is still reviewing whether the district has shown enough progress overall.
Parents like Zach Leonard say they believe the district is moving in the right direction and want state leaders to give Fort Worth ISD more time to improve.
“I think the superintendent and board need more time to get the change that they need done so that we can be more competitive across the state,” he said.
District leaders say they hope the new plan will demonstrate significant progress and keep Fort Worth ISD under local control. For now, the TEA has not announced when it will make its final decision.