{"id":340148,"date":"2025-10-29T06:40:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T06:40:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/340148\/"},"modified":"2025-10-29T06:40:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T06:40:22","slug":"teachers-parents-express-hope-fear-as-texas-takes-control-of-fwisds-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/340148\/","title":{"rendered":"Teachers, parents express hope, fear as Texas takes control of FWISD\u2019s future"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>De Zavala Elementary parents see an opportunity through <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2025\/10\/27\/heres-what-parents-need-to-know-about-the-state-takeover-of-fort-worth-isd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the state takeover of Fort Worth ISD<\/a>: Possibly saving their <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2025\/04\/22\/fort-worth-isd-slates-de-zavala-elementary-for-possible-2027-closure\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">school<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Teacher Scott Blanco-Davis and FWISD PTA Council President <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2025\/03\/01\/52-faces-lupe-lynchs-love-for-students-fuels-pta-growth-in-fort-worth-isd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lupe Lynch<\/a> said they will continue pushing for better support for educators and increased parental engagement.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The United Educators Association\u2019s Steven Poole, though, warned of a potential teacher exodus once the state fully assumes control.<\/p>\n<p>Parents, FWISD staff and community members voiced hope and concerns Tuesday during the trustees\u2019 first meeting since the Texas Education Agency launched a takeover of the 67,500-student district. The locally elected school board will soon lose its authority to the state.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re at a crossroads,\u201d De Zavala Elementary father Gabe Moreno said.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s academic accountability system. <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2025\/05\/21\/fort-worth-isd-students-plead-to-save-schools-before-board-approves-closures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trustees approved the closure of the school in May<\/a> citing low enrollment.<\/p>\n<p>Who\u2019s in charge?<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Day-to-day<\/strong>: Current trustees and Superintendent Karen Molinar until Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath installs a conservator and, later, a board of managers and superintendent.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Governing power<\/strong>: Shifts to board of managers in the spring.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Elections<\/strong>: Continue on schedule; elected trustees serve without authority during takeover.<\/li>\n<li><strong>How to apply to the board of managers<\/strong>: Texas Education Agency is accepting applications from FWISD residents; due Nov. 21. Apply <a href=\"https:\/\/tea.co1.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_0vtC5k9pHDSmQ6O\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>High-performing schools should be replicated \u2014 not closed \u2014 if the state\u2019s mission is to boost student success quickly, they said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI implore the TEA to reexamine the current strategy for school closures and for promoting schools that are meeting and exceeding standards,\u201d De Zavala mother Liz Conville said.<\/p>\n<p>Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2025\/10\/23\/texas-takes-control-of-fwisd-in-states-second-largest-public-school-intervention\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">announced the takeover Oct. 23<\/a>. The state intervention was prompted by the <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2024\/03\/31\/fort-worth-isd-board-approves-contract-to-start-closure-of-forest-oak-sixth-grade\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">now-closed Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade<\/a> posting five consecutive F grades under the accountability ratings that are largely based on STAAR results.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019 duties.<\/p>\n<p>Trustees are meeting with Morath on Thursday for an informal review of the takeover in Austin.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\" data-attachment-id=\"312591\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/fwisd-board-meeting-63\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1028-FWISDBoardMeeting-01-.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;(Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS R5 C&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Karen Molinar listen to public comment during a board meeting on Oct. 28, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\\\/CatchLight Local\\\/Report for America)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1761694395&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;FWISD Board Meeting&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"FWISD Board Meeting\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;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)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1028-FWISDBoardMeeting-01-.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1028-FWISDBoardMeeting-01-.jpg?fit=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1028-FWISDBoardMeeting-01-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-312591\"  \/>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)<\/p>\n<p>Karen Molinar, a nearly 30-year Fort Worth ISD educator who became superintendent in March, remains in charge for now and is a <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2025\/10\/25\/leaders-back-superintendent-molinar-warn-against-adding-chaos-during-fwisd-takeover\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">candidate for the district\u2019s next leader<\/a>, Morath said.<\/p>\n<p>Molinar didn\u2019t address the state\u2019s takeover during her report to trustees on Tuesday. Instead, she focused on the district\u2019s upcoming parent-teacher conference day on Nov. 11; a plan addressing students\u2019 writing skills; and teed up a conversation about college, career and military readiness.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c\u200aThere\u2019s 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,\u201d McGuff said, referring to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, tests.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>\u200a\u201dWe 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,\u201d Lynch said.<\/p>\n<p>Texas Education Agency officials are <a href=\"https:\/\/tea.texas.gov\/texas-schools\/school-boards\/school-governance\/board-of-managers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">seeking applicants from the district<\/a> until Nov. 21. They will screen those who apply, train them in school board governance and conduct interviews before Morath makes his selections.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Blanco-Davis has been a teacher since the early 1990s. He\u2019s witnessed repeated leadership shifts over the past decade \u2014 some hitting the district worse than others, he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t know where our future lies. I don\u2019t know what TEA is going to do. I do know that I\u2019ve been worried about the district for a long time,\u201d said Blanco-Davis, a science teacher at World Languages Institute.<\/p>\n<p>He applied for a seat on the board of managers, he said.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\" data-attachment-id=\"312590\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/fwisd-board-meeting-62\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1028-FWISDBoardMeeting-10-.jpg?fit=2560%2C1708&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1708\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;(Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS R5 C&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Attendees speak to the board during public comment at a Fort Worth ISD board meeting on Oct. 28, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\\\/CatchLight Local\\\/Report for America)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1761696190&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;195&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.003125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;FWISD Board Meeting&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"FWISD Board Meeting\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;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)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1028-FWISDBoardMeeting-10-.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1028-FWISDBoardMeeting-10-.jpg?fit=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1028-FWISDBoardMeeting-10-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-312590\"  \/>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)<\/p>\n<p>Poole and the United Educators\u2019 Association, which represents thousands of employees across the district, are also worried about the district\u2019s future.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to trustees, Poole addressed his fear that teachers will leave in large numbers following the state\u2019s intervention.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEvery Fort Worth student deserves a highly trained, certified teacher in front of them every single day,\u201d Poole said.<\/p>\n<p>Editor\u2019s note: This story was updated Oct. 28, 2025, to reflect FWISD\u2019s enrollment.<\/p>\n<p>Jacob Sanchez is education editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2025\/10\/28\/teachers-parents-express-hope-fear-as-texas-takes-control-of-fwisds-future\/mailto:jacob.sanchez@fortworthreport.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">jacob.sanchez@fortworthreport.org<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/_jacob_sanchez\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">@_jacob_sanchez<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Matthew Sgroi is an education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2025\/10\/28\/teachers-parents-express-hope-fear-as-texas-takes-control-of-fwisds-future\/mailto:matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/matthewsgroi1\">@matthewsg<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/matthewsgroi1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">r<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/matthewsgroi1\">oi1<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/about\/fort-worth-report-editorial-independence-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n<p>Fort Worth Report is <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2024\/08\/25\/fort-worth-report-achieves-global-trust-certification-heres-what-it-means-for-our-community\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n<p>Republish This Story<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"license\" rel=\"noreferrer license noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nd\/4.0\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"88\" height=\"31\" alt=\"Creative Commons License\" style=\"border-width:0\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758084579_646_cc-by-nd-4.0.png\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Republishing is free for noncommercial entities. Commercial entities are prohibited without a licensing agreement. Contact us for details. <\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"De Zavala Elementary parents see an opportunity through the state takeover of Fort Worth ISD: Possibly saving their&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":340149,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5138],"tags":[5229,7371,14948,7372,5615,60054,358,3187,67,586,132,5230,68,2969],"class_list":{"0":"post-340148","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fort-worth","8":"tag-america","9":"tag-fort-worth","10":"tag-fort-worth-isd","11":"tag-fortworth","12":"tag-lead","13":"tag-takeover","14":"tag-texas","15":"tag-tx","16":"tag-united-states","17":"tag-united-states-of-america","18":"tag-unitedstates","19":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","20":"tag-us","21":"tag-usa"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115456090104999592","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340148","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=340148"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340148\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/340149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=340148"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=340148"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=340148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}