Fort Worth school leaders met privately in Austin with state officials a week after Texas .
Education Commissioner Mike Morath summoned FWISD trustees to the Texas Education Agency headquarters Thursday for an informal review of the upcoming board of managers, conservator and superintendent appointments. This was the first time trustees and other district officials met with Morath since the takeover started.
Fort Worth ISD trustees Roxanne Martinez, Tobi Jackson, Anne Darr and Wallace Bridges attended the meeting.
As trustees left the building, Martinez told reporters district leaders appreciated meeting with Morath to discuss the state of FWISD.
鈥淲e highlighted that great things are happening at Fort Worth ISD, that measurable progress has been made,鈥� said Martinez, the board president.
Neither Morath or TEA spokespeople issued a statement following the more than hourlong meeting.
Fort Worth school leaders have made positive decisions that are reaping results, but it鈥檚 not happening in all classrooms across the district, Morath previously said during an Oct. 23 news conference.
鈥淏ut we鈥檝e got to move faster,鈥� Morath said. 鈥淎 child only has one shot at first grade.鈥�
after the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade failed five years in a row under the accountability ratings that are largely based on STAAR results. District leaders and trustees said they to meet state requirements.
STAAR, or the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, will be phased out in 2027. State Rep. Brad Buckley, a Salado Republican who chairs the House Public Education Committee, previously told the Fort Worth Report that until the transition.
Nothing changes in daily FWISD operations. and the nine elected trustees are in charge for now.
However, Morath expects to appoint a conservator soon to monitor the transition from locally elected trustees to state-appointed board of managers who will hold elected trustees鈥� power. Trustees will only hold the office.
The managers will be selected from applicants who are Fort Worth ISD community members. .
Molinar is a candidate for superintendent, but Morath is conducting a nationwide search for the district鈥檚 next leader. to remain superintendent and use her to turn it around.
Morath said he expects to name the new board and superintendent in the spring. District officials can appeal the takeover.
to discuss the takeover.
Dave Montgomery is an Austin correspondent for the Fort Worth Report.
Jacob Sanchez is education editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at jacob.sanchez@fortworthreport.org or .
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy .
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