<\/p>\n
From left to right, Brent Beasley of the Fort Worth Education Partnership; Trenace Dorsey-Hollins of Parent Shield Fort Worth; Domingo Morel, associate professor of political science at New York University; Cynthia Rincon, education attorney and partner at O\u2019Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo; and Samantha Stimson, teacher and English Department chair at O.D. Wyatt High School in Fort Worth ISD speak about the state takeover of Fort Worth ISD during a panel event at Texas A&M University School of Law in downtown Fort Worth on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.<\/p>\n
Lina Ruiz<\/p>\n
lruiz@star-telegram.com<\/p>\n
As the state takeover of the Fort Worth Independent School District closes in, experts in education, policy and law shared insights on what\u2019s currently happening in the district and what\u2019s expected to come.<\/p>\n
A roundtable discussion at Texas A&M University School of Law in downtown Fort Worth on Wednesday, March 18, unpacked legal background, research on state takeovers and perspectives from teachers and parents. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath is expected to make superintendent and board of managers appointments soon, which will officially mark the beginning of complete state intervention in Tarrant County\u2019s largest school district.<\/p>\n
The discussion, organized by Professor Rachel Moran, who is also director of the school\u2019s education law program, was moderated by Brent Beasley, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Education Partnership<\/a>. State Sen. Taylor Rehmet, former Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks and current Fort Worth ISD school board members Michael Ryan, Tobi Jackson and Quinton \u201cQ\u201d Phillips were among attendees in the audience.<\/p>\n In addition to Beasley, the panel speakers included:<\/p>\n The prospect of the state takeover has created confusion, fear and instability in the classroom, Stimson said. Students with learning gaps are being left behind because of the fast pace of lessons required by the district, which Stimson said are similar to Houston ISD\u2019s curriculum implemented with its takeover.<\/p>\n \u201cThe idea of the takeover has not really improved stability, rigor or outcomes. It\u2019s created a system where teachers are less empowered, students are less supported and decisions seem to be less thoughtful,\u201d Stimson said. \u201cThe system demands urgency but denies the conditions for real learning.\u201d<\/p>\n The roundtable was hosted about six weeks after a panel of administrative law judges struck down<\/a> Fort Worth ISD\u2019s final appeal against the takeover, clearing the path for state intervention to move forward. Morath said in early March that his appointments for the board of managers, who will temporarily replace the elected school board, and for superintendent would be announced \u201cin the coming weeks.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n The state intervention was prompted by a now-closed Fort Worth ISD campus receiving five failed accountability ratings in a row from the state. When this happens, state law requires the failing school be closed or the school board be replaced with a board of managers. The district had already closed the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade when the final F rating was given, which was delayed by litigation.<\/p>\n Rincon, who has represented the Fort Worth ISD school board and school district, outlined this timeline leading to the final decision by the panel of administrative law judges. In her closing remarks of the discussion, she recognized the service of current Superintendent Karen Molinar and school board members while acknowledging the next phase of governance is approaching.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to acknowledge the role of the commissioner and the TEA, and where we are now with regard to the next phase of governance for Fort Worth ISD. I hope that the focus remains \u2014 the focus must remain \u2014 on supporting the continued success and academic progress of the students in Fort Worth ISD in this new structure,\u201d Rincon said.<\/p>\n Dorsey-Hollins, who provided the parent perspective, said the district has been on the path to a takeover for years, citing the historical lag in academic performance. Parents are hopeful about the changes coming forward and see it as an opportunity to steer the district in a positive direction, she said.<\/p>\n \u201cHouston is making gains. That\u2019s what we want for our kids. I\u2019m not an educator. I\u2019m not here to tell teachers how to teach. We\u2019re not blaming teachers. We\u2019re not blaming our trustees. But as a parent, we want to see our kids improve. We do not have years to continue to just let our kids stagnate,\u201d Dorsey-Hollins said.<\/p>\n Morel, the professor who has also authored a book about state takeovers<\/a>, critiqued state intervention as a political overreach that typically targets communities of color and Democratic areas. If takeovers were about helping academics and finances of school districts, they would happen more often, he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe would have a lot of takeovers. I would venture to say thousands of takeovers across this country, but we don\u2019t,\u201d Morel said. \u201cWhat happens when the state says, \u2018We\u2019re going to close schools; we\u2019re going to fire teachers; we\u2019re going to cut athletics; we\u2019re going to cut music; we\u2019re going to close the library,\u2019 and the community doesn\u2019t want that? I\u2019m sorry to tell you: inevitably, that is what\u2019s going to happen in Fort Worth ISD.\u201d<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram<\/p>\n\n
![\"Profile](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ST_Lina_Ruis.jpg\")