Fort Worth ISD employees prepare for new school year under state control
Fort Worth ISD superintendent discusses the new year
Today, the Fort Worth Independent School District took a major step toward the goal of turning around it's academic troubles. New Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata talked about his confidence level and what it will take from teachers and parents.
FORT WORTH, Texas - Fort Worth Independent School District educators gathered on Wednesday to usher in the new school year.
It will be a year of change for many teachers in the district now that it is under state control.
Back to School Convocation
What we know:
The 2026 Fort Worth ISD Convocation on Wednesday morning included a pretty elaborate production with music, lights, and entertainment. There were also school bands, cheerleaders, special presentations, and upbeat performances.
The added energy and inspiration will be needed as Fort Worth ISD’s educators prepare to work under a new state-appointed board of managers.
The Texas Education Agency took control of the district in March over concerns about students’ academic performance districtwide, as well as five consecutive failing grades at a campus that is now closed.
The new board of managers and new superintendent are charged with boosting student achievement before the district can be placed under local control again.
New Fort Worth ISD superintendent, school board address public for first time
For the first time since being appointed by TEA last week, the new superintendent of Fort Worth ISD addressed the public at a school board meeting.
What they're saying:
During the convocation, Dr. Peter Licata, the district’s new superintendent, addressed the change, culture shift, and emotion across the district this year.
"There is a lot of anxiety. But for the folks that I've been able to sit and talk with, and this isn't about me, but I've never been other than nothing but successful. And it's not because of me. It's because of the 11,000 people that are sitting in this room. It's about listening to them. It's a two-way conversation. It's being able to make decisions and change and pivot when things are better for the staff so students can learn. So, what we're looking at is an opportunity for two-way conversation, an opportunity to make the best of this organization, and as it was said before, the best performing urban district. And not for that title, but for the students of this great city and its district," he told his staff.
When asked what success looks like, he said it’s definitely academic.
"We're all here because we wanna see students achieve. But success is also something that I see as that's sustainable. That everyone in this room sees, then we are successful academically and can say, I was a part of that," he said.
A Message to Parents
In an interview with FOX 4 after the event, Superintendent Licata said he appreciates the hard questions because it's obvious there's a lot of anxiety this year, both among teachers and among parents in the district.
"How confident are you that we can right this ship?" reporter Dionne Anglin asked him.
"I’m very confident. In fact, I have very little doubt. Judging from the temperature today, seeing the excitement. That’s where it happens, it happens in the classroom. I’ve made this message very clear. Teachers, we are here to support you. You’re the ones who make the difference," he said.
Dr. Licata said parents will play an important part in the district's turnaround. He noted the importance of getting students to put down their cellphones and electronics and get to bed on time.
"We need them rested. That would be my first request to the community and parents. Get our kids to bed on time. When they’re ready for school, we’re ready to feed them, help them, do whatever we need. But if they’re tired, it's going to be harder for them to learn," he said.
Hiring New Teachers
Since January, more than 1,000 staff members have left Fort Worth ISD either because they were fired, retired, or resigned.
Superintendent Licata said there were 200 teacher vacancies when he arrived in May. That number was down to 20 by the end of July.
"Through this kind of transition, you expect a lot of turnover. So I knew the moment we got here we were going to lose a lot of teachers. We had to zero base some schools to the elevate network. They separated from the schools, but we hired many of them back," he said. "As of Monday, we only had five teachers, classroom teacher vacancies, which is unheard of because usually there are around 200-250 for the year."
First Day of School
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Fort Worth ISD’s first day of school is on Monday.
The Source: The information in this story comes from Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata's statements and comments made during Wednesday's convocation, past news coverage, and the district's website.