Parents in Fort Worth, Texas, have accused the district’s state-appointed leadership of creating a “culture of fear” among pupils, as frustration continues a month into the new school year.
Several parents gathered outside the Fort Worth Independent School District’s administration building before a school board meeting on 9 September. Some wore T-shirts bearing the word “unacceptable” as they protested against the direction of the district.
They said changes introduced since the Texas Education Agency appointed a new superintendent and board of managers had yet to produce meaningful improvements in schools.
“Stress levels are up. Every school, stress levels up like I’ve never seen dropping my kids off inside,” parent Lafayette Fruge told the meeting.
Norma Garcia-Lopez said Spanish-speaking families had not been adequately informed about community listening sessions. “There hasn’t been any communication in Spanish related to these listening sessions. They haven’t been promoted or amplified,” she said.
Fort Worth ISD leadership defends reforms
Superintendent Dr Peter Licata defended the changes, arguing that returning to previous practices would not address the district’s academic problems.
“Going back to the old ways and the old days is not going for everyone. And it’s not good for 60 percent of our kids who can’t read,” he said.
The Texas Education Agency appointed Licata and a nine-member board of managers on 24 March 2026, temporarily replacing Fort Worth ISD’s elected trustees. The board is responsible for overseeing the district while it works towards meeting the conditions required for a return to elected control.
The district’s latest state accountability rating rose to 77, earning it a C grade in August. That was a four-point increase on the previous year and an improvement on the D grade recorded in 2023.
Licata said he had been disappointed by attendance at some superintendent community meetings, saying not every section of Fort Worth had been represented.
“That means the responsibility is still on me to continue going directly to the people we need to hear from,” he said.
Further listening sessions are scheduled across Fort Worth this week, including meetings on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The district’s community survey remains open until 15 September as officials seek feedback on their priorities and plans.
