Fort Worth ISD to Restructure Staff Amid State Takeover

New leadership team presents turnaround plan, including contract non-renewals and terminations.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:35am

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A vibrant, abstract grid of stylized textbooks in warm, neon colors, conceptually representing the changes to staffing and resources within the Fort Worth Independent School District.The restructuring of Fort Worth ISD's staff amid a state takeover aims to redirect resources to the district's lowest-performing schools, but the impact on teachers and other educators remains a concern.Fort Worth Today

The Fort Worth Independent School District's new leadership team, appointed by the Texas Education Agency during a state takeover, will present a restructuring plan at a special board meeting on Tuesday. The plan includes letting go of some staff, including classroom teachers, principals, librarians, nurses, and school counselors, particularly at the district's lowest-performing 'ELEVATE' campuses.

Why it matters

The state takeover and staff restructuring are part of an effort to improve academic performance across the Fort Worth ISD, which has struggled with low test scores and student enrollment declines. The changes aim to redirect resources and increase support for the district's most challenged schools.

The details

Under the proposed plan, the Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers will discuss and vote on not renewing or terminating certain employee contracts, primarily impacting those under Chapter 21 contracts, which include classroom teachers, principals, librarians, nurses, and school counselors. This reduction in staff will only affect specific campuses, including the 19 'ELEVATE' schools, which are the district's lowest-rated. Those ELEVATE schools will receive more attention and resources to improve test scores, including higher teacher compensation and an additional school day. They will also use resident teachers as substitutes instead of outside subs.

  • The special Fort Worth ISD board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
  • The staff restructuring and contract changes will be implemented for the 2026-2027 school year.

The players

Fort Worth ISD

The public school district serving the city of Fort Worth, Texas, which is currently under state takeover by the Texas Education Agency.

Texas Education Agency (TEA)

The state agency that oversees public education in Texas and has appointed a new Board of Managers to temporarily replace Fort Worth ISD's elected school board.

Dr. Pete Licata

The new superintendent appointed by the TEA to lead the Fort Worth ISD during the state takeover.

ELEVATE Campuses

19 of the lowest-performing schools in the Fort Worth ISD that will receive additional resources and attention under the restructuring plan.

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What’s next

At Tuesday's meeting, the Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers will vote on the proposed staff restructuring plan, which could lead to non-renewals and terminations of certain employee contracts, particularly at the district's lowest-performing 'ELEVATE' campuses.

The takeaway

The state takeover and staff restructuring in Fort Worth ISD reflect the district's ongoing struggle to improve academic performance and address declining enrollment. While the changes aim to redirect resources to the neediest schools, the impact on teachers, principals, and other staff remains a significant concern for the community.