State appoints conservator for Lake Worth ISD as takeover continues to unfold
The Texas Education Agency has appointed a conservator for the Lake Worth school district to monitor and guide improvement plans as a state takeover of the district continues to unfold.
Andrew Kim, a former superintendent who is a co-conservator of an El Paso-area school district, will begin serving as Lake Worth ISD’s conservator immediately, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath announced Thursday evening. Next steps include naming a new superintendent of the district and replacing the current school board with a state-appointed board of managers.
“Having served in district leadership during times of change, I understand both the urgency and care this work requires,” Kim said in a statement. “This appointment is an opportunity to apply that experience thoughtfully, with a clear focus on supporting students, strengthening operations and positioning the district for long-term success.”
Lake Worth ISD leaders, including current Superintendent Mark Ramirez, said they accept the TEA’s decision to appoint Kim as conservator and will continue working with the state during the next phases of the takeover. The district also said that all schools will remain open during the takeover process.
“We accept the TEA’s decision and view this as an opportunity to accelerate our progress,” Ramirez wrote in a statement. “Our focus remains clear: supporting teachers, improving instruction and doing what’s best for kids. We are committed to transparency, accountability and partnership as we work side-by-side with TEA to ensure lasting improvements for our students.”
Lake Worth officials also said that community input will continue to matter as the state takeover move forward. The TEA will have a public meeting with Lake Worth parents and community members at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 14 at the Lake Worth High School Auditorium.
In the coming days and weeks, Lake Worth leaders will meet regularly with Kim to review data, refine strategies and ensure timely progress, according to a statement from the district.
“Lake Worth ISD views this moment as an important step forward,” the district wrote in the statement. “With a strong focus on transparency, partnership and continuous improvement, the district is committed to ensuring every student has access to an exceptional education.”
Kim’s role will include overseeing and directing the superintendent, principals and the district’s board of managers, reporting what he deems necessary to the TEA to ensure academic progress. He will also be present at all board meetings.
A state takeover was initiated at Lake Worth in December after Marilyn Miller Language Academy received a fifth consecutive F rating, which triggered a Texas law allowing Morath to name a replacement superintendent, appoint a board of managers and a conservator.
Five of the district’s six schools received F ratings in this year’s accountability scores. The only school that did not, Lake Worth High School, received a C. The district received an overall grade of D.
Reactions to the TEA’s takeover of Lake Worth have been mixed. A number of parents told the Star-Telegram in December that they were doubtful a takeover could effectively get the district back on track, pointing to deeper issues like parent apathy being the root of the problem.
But the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Black Chamber of Commerce released a joint statement in December saying North Texas residents should support recent TEA takeovers, including that of Fort Worth ISD, after the groups took a trip to see changes the state had made in Houston.
The application period for Lake Worth’s state-appointed board of managers is now open and has a deadline of Jan. 31, according to the TEA website. Officials will conduct interviews with selected candidates, with appointments to be made by Morath.
In the meantime, the Lake Worth school district will operate as normal and focus on implementing a comprehensive turnaround plan focused on foundational literacy and math, officials said. Key components of the plan include “high-quality tier 1 instruction,” and teachers meeting within “professional learning communities” to internalize lessons, analyze student data and collaboratively adjust instructional practices to drive student success, the district wrote in a statement.
