‘Work ahead of us’: New Lake Worth ISD leader shares goals for improvement
Lake Worth ISD’s state-appointed Superintendent Ena Meyers promised to partner with parents, improve community engagement and focus on literacy and math as she steps into the role this week and attempts to turn the struggling district around.
Meyers addressed the media hours after the Texas Education Agency announced her as Lake Worth’s next leader, alongside a new five-person Board of Managers to replace the former elected school board. Meyers said her focus right now is making sure teachers know how to teach and keep kids engaged.
“We want to look at curriculum,” Meyers said. “What is in front of our students, and what are they learning? And is that aligned to the work that we have to do, the work that is ahead of them? And do our teachers feel supported and able to deliver high quality instructions?”
Meyers, who most recently served as deputy chief of strategic initiatives at Houston ISD, also acknowledged that there are numerous parents who believe that state intervention was not the correct course of action for Lake Worth. But Meyers vowed that she will come in and do everything she can to guide the district toward improvement.
“I am here to partner with you in the education of our students and our community to improve student outcomes,” Meyers said. “So we want to make sure we are reaching achievement levels for literacy and math.”
Lake Worth schools struggled mightily prior to the state takeover. TEA data shows that schools in the district, which has about 3,300 total students, only have 22% of students currently meeting grade level on the most recent STAAR exams across all grades and subjects.
A number of parents and community members believed things were getting better. Former Superintendent Mark Ramirez, who was only seven months into the job when the TEA announced it was taking over the district, said that he projected that 36% of students would score at the “meets” or “masters” level, which indicates they are reading at or above grade level.
Parents and teachers also passionately defended Ramirez and advocated for him to keep his job at a TEA-hosted community meeting shortly after the state agency announced it was taking over the district.
“Today is day one,” Meyers said. “We have work ahead of us from the data that our schools are showing. We definitely want to focus on literacy and math, and our students reading and doing numerically on grade level.”
Lake Worth parents who spoke to the Star-Telegram following the state takeover in December said one of the district’s biggest problem is the lack of involvement from some parents in their child’s education. Meyers said Thursday that mending the relationship between the school and households will be important, but that there is only so much that can be done.
“We’re not forcing engagement,” Meyers said. “I think when students enjoy being in school, and you have an entire community who is focused on student learning, kids are going to be going home and telling their families about the great day they had. You will see natural engagement increase. We are here together to improve how our students are learning. And I think you will see a natural connection that happens.”
Meyers is a longtime educator who has served as a teacher, principal and higher administrator. She has experience working in elementary, middle and high schools in her career. She holds a doctorate degree in educational administration and has Texas superintendent, principal and teacher certifications. She will begin the job working under a 21-day interim contract until a more permanent one is agreed upon at a future board meeting, according to a TEA news release.
TEA Commissioner Mike Morath first announced that he would take over the district after Marilyn Miller Language Academy received a fifth consecutive F grade by the state in its yearly accountability grades. That triggered a Texas law allowing Morath to name a new Board of Managers to replace the school board and name Meyers as superintendent.
Members of Lake Worth’s new state-appointed Board of Managers were also present at Meyers’ first press conference, but did not speak to the media. They are: Tom Harris, Amy Morgan, Kenneth Nichols, Mason Sneed and Judy Starnes. Meyers thanked them for being present and referred to Harris as the board’s president. That appointment cannot become official until the group meets for its first board meeting.
“Their charge is to really set the goals for our district, and then to make sure we are achieving those goals,” Meyers said. “They will be measuring progress as we go along and holding us accountable to that. We have a great team, and I think together we’ll see great things happen for our kids.”
This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 2:35 PM.
