Lake Worth families and residents can hear directly from Texas education officials about what state control of the 3,200-student district means for them at a community meeting Wednesday.
Texas Education Agency officials will outline steps for replacing the locally elected board; detail how those interested can apply for the board of managers; and answer questions about the intervention process. The meeting is 6-7 p.m. at the Lake Worth High School auditorium, 4210 Boat Club Road.
The meeting comes about a week after Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath appointed Andrew Kim as conservator of the district.
“We envision Wednesday evening as an open, informative and transparent conversation,” district spokesperson Noah Ceballos said. “Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions directly related to the process and better understand the state’s expectations and the steps already underway to support continued improvement in Lake Worth ISD.”
What the meeting will cover
Officials said the meeting will focus on:
- An overview of the state intervention and what prompted it.
- The role of the conservator and the board of managers.
- How community members can apply to serve on that board.
- A question-and-answer session with Texas Education Agency officials.
Under Texas law, the commissioner is required to intervene when a public campus receives five consecutive failing academic accountability ratings. Marilyn Miller Language Academy reached that threshold, triggering the takeover in Lake Worth.
Morath plans to appoint a new superintendent and a board of managers. Once seated, the managers will assume governing authority, while locally elected trustees remain in office without power.
Applying for the board of managers
The agency is accepting applications for those interested in serving on Lake Worth ISD’s board of managers. Applications are due Jan. 31.
The managers will approve budgets, set policy, evaluate the superintendent and oversee academic performance. Their oversight role does not include day-to-day campus operations.
State guidance indicates the position requires a significant time commitment, particularly during the initial transition period, and favors candidates with experience in areas such as public education, finance, law, governance or community leadership. A majority of appointees must live within district boundaries. Morath has said the agency aims for all managers to be Lake Worth ISD residents.
Details about the application, selection process and eligibility requirements are available on the agency’s websites.
District leaders emphasized that, even under state control, community engagement will continue to play a role in local improvement efforts.
“Meaningful progress for students requires informed and engaged partners,” Ceballos said. “This meeting allows our community to be part of that work.”
In a Jan. 8 letter to district officials, Morath wrote that updates on the superintendent and managers appointments will be shared as they become available.
Wednesday’s meeting marks the first public opportunity for Lake Worth residents to hear directly from state officials since the takeover.
Matthew Sgroi is an education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org or @matthewsgroi1.
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