‘Keep Austin out of our schools.’ Opponents of state takeover of FWISD speak out
Elected officials and the leaders of several community organizations gathered Friday to express their opposition to the planned state takeover of the Fort Worth Independent School District, characterizing it as a political power play.
Tiffany Clark, a Texas State Board of Education trustee who represents Fort Worth, said she was blind sided by the announcement Thursday. There was no communication between her and Commissioner Mike Morath, who made the decision, she said.
Clark said the takeover is about politics not academics.
“This should be a wake-up call for every voter in Texas, every parent, every educator, every community member to pay attention,” Clark said. “Austin thinks they know what’s best for our schools, but they don’t even live here. They don’t teach here, they don’t raise families here. We have to keep Austin out of our schools.”
Fort Worth City Councilman Chris Nettles described the takeover as a “shakedown” that will directly affect Fort Worth ISD children.
“What we saw yesterday was simply someone using their power to put pen to paper and take both our voting rights away and our strength away,” Nettles said.
He challenged the mayor, city council, city manager, and city attorney to find a way for the city to partner with FWISD to help wherever it is needed, including to support teachers.
Morath announced the takeover Thursday, citing years of failing ratings for the school system. The Fort Worth ISD’s elected school board will be replaced with state appointees. Superintendent Karen Molinar’s future with the district is unclear. Morath said he plans to conduct a national search for a superintendent, but will consider Molinar as a candidate.
Morath’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the criticisms raised Friday.
The group opposing the takeover gathered for a news conference Friday at Blank Space on East Lancaster Avenue. Among those in attendance were City Councilwoman Deborah Peoples, County Commissioner Roderick Miles, and Fort Worth ISD school board member Roxanne Martinez.
Other speakers included community activist Patrice Jones of Southside Community Garden, Fort Worth ISD school board Wallace Bridges, Next Generation Action Network president Minister Dominique Alexander, and community activist Keisha Braziel.
County Commissioner Alisa Simmons, who also attended, said she has seen the school system’s board of trustees and leadership make progress in improving the school district. They should be allowed to continue their work, she said, calling the takeover a political overreach.
“This is not about helping our students,” Simmons said. “This is about power and control.”
This story was originally published October 24, 2025 at 4:16 PM.
