Fort Worth ISD may soon find itself at the epicenter of a significant transformation in Texas education policy. Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has pledged to reform public education across the state, including the removal of Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath and the reversal of state takeovers of local school districts. These commitments have sparked renewed debate over the future of districts currently under state intervention, among them Fort Worth ISD and Lake Worth ISD in North Texas.
Political shift could bring big changes
This conversation follows a landmark midterm election that produced a decisive Democratic wave across the state, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in Texas politics. Among Hinojosa’s most closely observed campaign promises is her commitment to dismiss Morath on her first day in office.
“In case you have not heard, on day one, I will fire Mike Morath,” Hinojosa declared during her victory speech.
Should that pledge be fulfilled, education leaders within Fort Worth ISD have indicated that a newly appointed TEA commissioner could rapidly alter the landscape of state intervention efforts throughout Texas.
Fort Worth ISD board president: Future decisions rest with new leadership
Pete Geren, president of the state-appointed Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers, acknowledged that voters communicated their priorities with considerable clarity during the midterm elections.
“The voters delivered a pretty clear message about their priorities, whether it was a city or county with an intervention district or not,” Geren stated.
Geren was appointed less than a year ago as part of the Texas Education Agency’s intervention initiative, with the appointed Board of Managers only having commenced its work during the current school year. Nevertheless, with Hinojosa scheduled to assume office in January, Geren conceded that substantial changes may be forthcoming.
When questioned about whether he, fellow board members, or Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Dr. Pete Licata could face removal, Geren maintained that such decisions would rest with the incoming administration.
“That’ll be up to the governor and her appointment to TEA,” he said. “The new TEA commissioner on day one could make the decision to replace all the appointed board members for every intervention district across the state. I don’t know what they plan to do.”
Parents welcome possibility of return of local control
Several Fort Worth ISD parents who have long opposed the state takeover expressed encouragement at the prospect of Hinojosa’s proposed changes. Dionna Deardorff conveyed her belief that the governor-elect has genuinely listened to the concerns raised by public school families.
“I think she made that her number one priority in her campaign because she saw that that was the number one issue affecting Texans, and I’m really excited,” Deardorff said.
Another parent, Keith Annis, expressed optimism about the district’s potential return to local governance.
“I am happy that he [Morath] will be gone,” Annis remarked. “It’s a wonderful new day in Texas and here in Fort Worth. The sooner we can get to a return to local control, the better.”
Support for this shift extends well beyond Fort Worth. Arlington ISD Board Trustee Larry Mike echoed similar sentiments, challenging the longstanding narrative surrounding public school performance.
“You’ve heard the mantra for years that public schools are failing, well if that was the case, who do you look at?” Mike said.
Morath responds
In response to inquiries regarding Hinojosa’s stated intentions, Commissioner Morath issued a written statement through the Texas Education Agency:
“TEA’s mission of supporting Texas’ students, educators and school systems continues. I’m praying for the success of our incoming leaders and am committed to ensuring a smooth and successful transition for the next education commissioner.”
Geren focused on student outcomes
Despite the prevailing uncertainty surrounding his continued tenure, Geren affirmed that his primary focus remains firmly on student achievement.
“For me, the most important issue is literacy,” he said. “Most of our kids can’t read, and all our kids need to read. That’s the reason that I sought the position on this board.”
He further indicated his intention to support whomever is ultimately selected to lead both the TEA and Fort Worth ISD in the months ahead.
What’s next?
Commissioner Morath’s current term is set to expire on January 10, while Hinojosa is scheduled to be inaugurated as Texas’ 49th governor on January 19. The most pressing question facing Fort Worth ISD, Lake Worth ISD, and other districts currently under state intervention concerns who Hinojosa will appoint as the next TEA commissioner and whether that individual will sustain, modify, or bring an end to existing state takeovers.
For the time being, district leaders, parents, and educators alike are closely monitoring how one of the governor-elect’s most prominent campaign promises may ultimately reshape the future of public education across Texas.
