TCDP Condemns TEA Takeover of FWISD

Fort Worth, TX – October 23, 2025 – The Tarrant County Democratic Party is deeply concerned by the Texas Education Agency’s decision to takeover the Fort Worth Independent School District.

This move raises serious questions about the future of local control and the quality of public education here in Tarrant County. Even more alarming, it silences the will of our community by removing our locally elected FWISD school board—chosen by the voters—and replacing it with state-appointed outsiders handpicked by officials loyal to extreme right-wing, Trump-backed Governor Abbott and his Education Commissioner, Mike Morath. This is a blatant power grab that strips Tarrant County families of their voice in how our schools are run.

This takeover of the Independent School District is yet again, a clear signal from statewide and national Republicans that they seek to exert undue control over a county which is growing in diversity and voter engagement. While we acknowledge the complexity of the issues facing FWISD, we encourage the community to educate themselves on the potential long-term impacts, including the history of state interventions as seen by other districts. The TEA most recently took over Houston ISD shown:

• incredibly high teacher and principal turnover,
• concerns regarding lack of community input into their children’s education
• and even the closure of 28 public school libraries which were then transformed into “discipline centers”.

Fort Worth ISD students, teachers and families deserve stability and support—and we must ensure that any action taken prioritizes the success and well-being of all in the FWISD community.

Further, the takeover should serve as a critical reminder: elections matter. Your vote matters.

The policies that govern and fund our public schools are directly shaped by the officials we elect. This is true from the local school board, to the State Board of Education, to the Texas State Legislature which oversees educational standards and state funding… and all the way to the Governor who appoints and oversees the TEA’s Commissioner of Education.

The Tarrant County Democratic Party remains steadfast in its support for robust public education and we are deeply concerned that a TEA takeover will not produce improved educational standards or outcomes for our students in FWISD. We will continue to strongly advocate for policies and elected officials who believe in the promise of strong, locally-accountable schools for every child and teacher in Fort Worth and in Tarrant County. We call on all concerned citizens to stay engaged and demand transparency throughout this process.

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