Following the state takeover of Fort Worth Independent School District for unacceptable academic ratings, the Texas Education Agency has announced the formation of a board of managers for the district.
The takeover was first announced in October 2025 after one of the schools in the district triggered a provision of state law allowing for intervention due to receiving five consecutive years of unacceptable academic ratings.
According to state law, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath is authorized to take various actions against an independent school district that fails to meet accreditation criteria, academic performance standards, financial accountability requirements, or when a special investigation justifies intervention.
Actions permitted include appointing monitors, conservators, or management teams. In severe cases, the commissioner can appoint a board of managers or revoke accreditation.
In the case of Fort Worth ISD, Morath chose to appoint a board of managers and a conservator to oversee the district. Morath announced Tuesday that Dr. Peter B. Licata will replace former superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar. Dr. Licata assumed the position immediately upon his appointment and is under a 21-day interim contract until he can be formally approved as superintendent by the board of managers at an upcoming meeting.
“Fort Worth wants the best possible academic outcomes for every student, as evidenced by the hundreds of community members that showed their willingness to serve,” said Morath.
“Possessing a diverse range of experiences and expertise, the governance and leadership team appointed today is comprised of individuals with an aligned vision and collective belief that all students, when properly supported, can achieve at high levels. I look forward to seeing this belief in action and their leadership of Fort Worth ISD’s next chapter.”
Individuals appointed by TEA to the temporary board of managers include a mix of education professionals, attorneys, individuals involved in business, and parents of children enrolled in the district.
The nine appointees to the board are:
- Bobby Ahdieh
- Rosa Maria Berdeja
- Luis A. Galindo
- Laurie George
- Pete Geren
- Courtney Lewis
- Frost Prioleau
- Jay Stegall
- Tennessee Walker
The board of managers will have the same obligations and legal requirements as an elected board of trustees.
According to TEA, the board of managers will be responsible for providing leadership and oversight of the new superintendent and assisting him in addressing the issues within the district that caused the state to intervene.
A future transition back to an elected school board is possible if the district meets certain criteria laid out by TEA including having no campuses with multi-year unacceptable ratings, above average “meets grade level” proficiency in reading, language arts, and mathematics, and if the school board achieves a “meets focus” rating using the Lone Star Governance Continuous Improvement Framework.
