FORT WORTH — It’s been an emotional week for families and community members in the Fort Worth Independent School District as newly state-appointed district officials started making cuts, including closing schools and reducing staff.
These changes are some of the biggest that many have seen since the Texas Education Agency (TEA) replaced the school board, and it could be a look at what’s to come for other districts facing the same state takeover fate.
“In light of these concerns, I urge you to vote no tonight,” one concerned community member said Tuesday night.
Nearly all 137 speakers during the board meeting were upset about cuts to staff and the closing of two schools this June, like De Zavala Elementary, which was originally planned to close in 2027 but was pushed up.
The board also voted to close the International Newcomer Academy (INA), which focuses on teaching students whose first language is not English.
The TEA said the schools failed statewide academic standards multiple years in a row.
“We understand, as faith leaders, the present need to improve Fort Worth ISD student outcomes and reconsider financial investment, but we’re asking you not to pursue those outcomes at the expense of our immigrant and refugee neighbors,” said one speaker to the board on Tuesday.
The board voted unanimously to close it despite hours of pleas against it. At one point, the crowd even chanted “shame” during the votes.
“Change is hard,” said Dr. Peter Licata, the Fort Worth ISD superintendent. “This is difficult, I understand, and I’m fine with it. I take this position seriously. I take it seriously for kids.”
The board also cut 32 roles, including bilingual staff, special education and speech therapy assistants like Elizabeth Luna.
“That is a main reason why I am standing here tonight along with my colleagues, providing you with many reasons why assistant SLPs are not an optional resource,” said Luna. “But we are essential to our students’ success.”
During public comment, the board considered cutting off a mic as a former school board candidate spoke.
“This new instructional model that is forcing every teacher in this district to break educational laws… I did not say a name, and I will continue,” said Amanday Inay. “That’s right, break laws.” The crowd began to cheer. “I’m not done. They exist to protect the most vulnerable.”
“We’re going to ask that we turn off your microphone if you attack individuals,” said Pete Gerin, the Fort Worth ISD board president.
To end the meeting, Licata said his focus remains on the kids.
“I want to make sure everyone understands this is not about one individual,” said Licata. “It’s not personal, but I listen, and some things that were said were very offensive. Some people are being very rude in the audience as we speak, and that’s on them. That’s not on me. That’s not on any of us, but we’re going to get through this because we’re working for kids.”
Fort Worth ISD is one of eight districts taken over by the state. Lakeworth ISD also held a board meeting this week with its TEA-appointed members for the first time.
Following the meeting, Licata sent a statement saying:
“We recognize these changes are deeply personal for many families and staff. We have heard those concerns, and the district’s commitment is clear: the changes approved last night are not about reducing support for students. They are about using our resources more effectively so we can direct more support into classrooms and toward the students who need it most. No student will lose access to required services as a result of these changes.
“Every recommendation brought forward by our team is grounded in research, informed by best practices, and shaped by what is working in comparable districts.
“These changes are part of a broader redesign to strengthen services, not reduce them. For students with disabilities, the district is strengthening inclusion, improving supervision and compliance systems, and moving toward a fully credentialed staffing model designed to deliver more consistent, timely, and high-quality services. The district is implementing the reorganization and will be posting positions and job opportunities within a few days.
“Our decisions regarding the International Newcomer Academy are guided by evidence about what best supports newcomer and Emergent Bilingual students. Research consistently shows students achieve stronger outcomes when robust language supports are paired with integration into their school communities. By reallocating resources from a model serving fewer students than intended, we can extend targeted supports to more newcomer students, in more schools, closer to home.”