As Fort Worth ISD takeover finalizes, judge panel outlines why TEA can intervene
A final order striking down the Fort Worth Independent School District’s appeal against a state takeover outlines why the district’s arguments fell short of blocking a state intervention that’s weeks away from being complete.
The order filed on Monday by three administrative law judges from the State Office of Administrative Hearings ruled that the Texas Education Agency proved its legal standing for taking over Fort Worth ISD. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced last week that the appointments for the board of managers and a new superintendent will be announced “in the coming weeks.” This means the current school board and Superintendent Karen Molinar will be booted from their positions soon.
A state conservator has already been appointed to oversee certain district operations since November.
“TEA and the Commissioner proved by a preponderance of the evidence that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that they are entitled to a decision in their favor as a matter of law,” the judge panel wrote.
A TEA spokesperson declined to comment, referring to the final order itself.
Roxanne Martinez, Fort Worth ISD school board president, said while she acknowledges the decision, the focus remains “on ensuring stability and continuity” for the district community. She thanked each of the elected trustees for their service during theirs tenures and during the appeals process, noting how she was proud of the way the board has continued to serve the community with care and intention.
Martinez also thanked Superintendent Karen Molinar for her years of service.
“Her collaborative, strategic leadership and focus on student achievement helped move the District’s academic work in a positive direction during her time as superintendent,” Martinez said. “Fort Worth ISD will continue working to support our schools and ensure that our students remain at the center of every decision moving forward. As the duly elected Trustees of Fort Worth ISD, we remain committed to continuing our service to this community and to advocating for the students and families we were elected to represent.”
The state takeover was prompted by the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade receiving five failed ratings in a row from TEA. When this happens, state law requires either for the school to be closed or for state officials to replace the school board with an appointed board of managers. When the campus had received its fifth failed rating, which was delayed due to pending litigation, the school had already been closed.
During Fort Worth ISD’s appeal against the takeover, counsel for the district and TEA disagreed on when the pauses for the A-F accountability ratings went into effect for the campus after Fort Worth ISD contracted with Texas Wesleyan University to operate the school, entitling them to two years of pauses on state ratings. The district argued there was another year left before there were five failed ratings in a row, but the judge panel struck down this argument, among others.
“The District’s argument that the Commissioner was prohibited from appointing a board of managers... because the campus had already closed is, likewise, flawed,” the judge panel ruled. “TEA’s regulatory framework makes clear that districts may not modify or close campuses to avoid Commissioner intervention in low-performing schools, as the District attempted to do here (by closing the school before the fifth unacceptable rating could be released due to pending litigation).”
This story was originally published March 10, 2026 at 3:40 PM.
