FWISD | TEA Intervention Updates: Superintendent Message, Press Conference, Enforcement Letter (Oct. 23, 2025)

November 6, 2025 Informal Review Update

TEA Appointment of Board of Managers and Conservator

TEA Commissioner Mike Morath is appointing a Board of Managers to govern FWISD and a conservator, Christopher Ruszkowski; a superintendent will also be appointed.
TEA determined that Leadership Academy at Forest Oak 6th Grade accrued five consecutive unacceptable ratings; the campus’s 2022–23 rating still counts despite its later closure. The agency rejected FWISD’s pause-year claim.
Trustees’ powers are suspended during the Board of Managers’ tenure; the conservator is effective immediately with oversight authority. FWISD may request a SOAH review within 15 days, but enforcement continues. Applications for Board of Managers and superintendent candidates are open via TEA.

Read the Full November 6, 2025, TEA Update

Dr. Karen Molinar's Letter to Staff, Students, and Families

Dear Fort Worth ISD staff, students, and families,

This morning, we received official notice from the Texas Education Agency upholding the decision to appoint a Board of Managers and a conservator for Fort Worth ISD following last week’s informal review. The appointed conservator, Mr. Christopher Ruszkowski, will oversee and support our improvement efforts and report on our progress, effective immediately.

TEA will continue with the process of taking applications for interested candidates for a Board of Managers and the superintendent search as previously shared by the Commissioner. My intent remains the same to apply for the position of superintendent.

The focus remains on meeting the needs of our students in FWISD. Our employees are committed to providing high quality, on-level instruction each day in every classroom across our district.

We understand there may be questions, and right now this is the information we have. As TEA provides further guidance, I will share it promptly with our community.

Thank you for your continued support.

Dr. Karen Molinar

Superintendent, Fort Worth ISD

Statement from the Fort Worth ISD Board President

In Response to the Commissioner’s Decision Regarding Informal Review November 6, 2025:

Today, the Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees received official notice from the Texas Education Agency of the Commissioner’s decision to move forward with appointing a Board of Managers and a state-appointed conservator for our district.

The Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees strongly disagrees with this decision. We believe our district has demonstrated meaningful progress and that local governance, supported by our community, is essential to sustained student success.

We are immensely proud of the work being led by our educators, staff, and Superintendent. They continue to provide high-quality instruction to our students every day and remain steadfast in their commitment to serving this community.

The Board will consider all options, including filing a formal appeal of the Commissioner’s decision. We do so not in defiance, but in defense of our students, our community, and the principles of local governance that ensure accountability to the people we serve.

We remain committed to transparency and will keep our community informed as this process continues.

Roxanne Martinez President, Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees

TEA Appointed Conservator Christopher Ruszkowski

“Throughout my three decades in education, I’ve been honored to take on unique roles during critical inflection points for schools, states and organizations. This conservator appointment is another opportunity to engage in public service of the highest calling. I look forward to working with district leadership in service of the students, teachers and community of Fort Worth.” - Christopher Ruszkowski

Biography

Christopher Ruszkowski is the Founding CEO of South Carolina Children's Fund, a statewide education champion organization. He previously served as New Mexico's Secretary of Education under Governor Susana Martinez and Delaware's Chief Talent Officer/Associate Secretary of Education under Governor Jack Markell. He also serves as the TEA Conservator for IDEA Public Schools.

Christopher began his career in education as a middle school social studies teacher in Miami-Dade, Florida. A first-generation American raised in the Midwest; he holds degrees from Stanford University and the University of Minnesota.

October 23, 2025 Takeover Announcement

TEA Enforcement Letter

Key Points From the TEA Enforcement Letter

“Appointment of Board of Managers… the campus received a final 2023 academic performance rating of F on August 19, 2025, the fifth consecutive unacceptable performance rating… I am ordering the appointment of a board of managers to lead the district.”
“State law also requires that I appoint a superintendent… with such review including the district’s current superintendent as a candidate.”
“Informal [appeal] review… scheduled for October 30, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.”

“I am appointing a conservator to the district… will ensure the district supports its low-performing campuses and implements the district’s turnaround plans.”

Read the Full TEA Enforcement Letter

Letter from the FWISD Superintendent to Staff, Students, and Families

Today, we received official notice regarding a state takeover of Fort Worth ISD from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Under state law, the Commissioner is legally bound to act because a Fort Worth ISD campus had multiple-year unacceptable academic performance ratings.

The process will begin immediately with a posted notice for interested citizens to serve on a state appointed Board of Managers under the guidance of TEA. Selected applicants will report to Commissioner Mike Morath and are required to participate in rigorous governance training. A conservator will be named to ensure the district supports its low-performing campuses. Additional details will be shared with you in the coming weeks.

The letter also shared that our Commissioner will announce and appoint a Superintendent after reviewing prospective superintendent candidates, which will include myself.

As a leader, transparency has always been an important part of my leadership and will continue as we navigate the upcoming processes outlined by TEA.

It is important that we also continue our commitment to the academic success of every Fort Worth ISD student. Although the upcoming months will focus on adult-centered processes and procedures, our work toward improving education for our students remains unchanged. The reforms we have in place are aligned with TEA and will continue.

We must remain committed to the daily delivery of high-quality instruction for our students. As a result of the dedication and hard work of our staff, we are already starting to see progress on every campus and in classrooms across our district

Our students need us to believe in the importance of public education. I believe in our district and the transformative work we are doing together as a city to improve academic outcomes for all students in Fort Worth ISD. I am honored to serve as your Superintendent during this transition. Thank you for your continued commitment and dedication to the students of FWISD.

Dr. Karen Molinar
Superintendent, Fort Worth ISD

Statement from the Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees

“The Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees acknowledges the Texas Education Agency Commissioner’s decision regarding the District’s governance. While the Board respects the Commissioner’s commitment to student success and accountability, it is disappointed by the decision and hopes the matter will be reconsidered.”
“Our elected Board is in the best position to drive the sustainable improvements the Commissioner seeks, with measurable progress already underway. We respectfully ask him to reconsider his decision.”

On Oct. 23, 2025, TEA initiated state intervention for FWISD, appointing a Board of Managers (with a superintendent to follow) and a conservator effective immediately. Trustees’ powers are suspended during the Board of Managers’ tenure; any SOAH review doesn’t pause enforcement.
TEA will recruit local community members for the Board of Managers (applications open through Nov. 21, 2025). Leadership is expected to transition in 2026 once FWISD demonstrates progress and durable systems, at which point governance returns to the elected Board of Trustees.

“Until both the board and superintendent are announced in early 2026, current district leadership will remain in place.” - Mike, Morath, TEA Commissioner

Visit tea.texas.gov/board-of-managers for more details.

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