Fort Worth, Texas – Governor‑elect Gina Hinojosa entered office in January with a bold education agenda: she plans to replace Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath and to end state‑run takeovers of underperforming school districts, including Fort Worth ISD and Lake Worth ISD.
Promises and local reaction
Hinojosa, a former Austin school‑board member, won the November election with roughly 53% of the vote, defeating incumbent Republican Greg Abbott. In her victory speech she pledged to return governance of struggling districts to elected trustees and to appoint a new education commissioner who shares her commitment to local control.
Community members in Fort Worth expressed optimism, saying the change could restore parental influence and community oversight of schools.
Current state of the districts
Both Fort Worth ISD and Lake Worth ISD have been under state control since early 2026. District officials highlighted recent academic gains: Fort Worth students posted double‑digit improvements on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), with a 16‑point rise in elementary math proficiency, higher attendance, and record‑high teacher salaries. Lake Worth ISD reiterated its commitment to “Every Student. Every Classroom. Every Day.”
Legal and procedural realities
Morath’s term ends on Jan. 10, 2027, nine days before Hinojosa’s inauguration on Jan. 19. Political science professor Mark Jones of Rice University explained that while the governor‑elect can name an interim commissioner, the appointment must be confirmed by the Republican‑controlled Texas Senate. Without Senate approval, the position could remain vacant until a successor is confirmed after the 2027 legislative session.
University of Texas at Arlington professor Samantha Chapa added that Hinojosa’s best strategy may be to select a nominee who can garner bipartisan support, smoothing the confirmation process.
State‑takeover statutes
Texas law requires districts under state intervention to meet specific exit criteria before local trustees can resume governance. Fort Worth ISD must eliminate campuses with multiyear unacceptable A‑F ratings and exceed state averages in reading and math proficiency. Once these benchmarks are met, the education commissioner can begin a phased return of elected trustees, typically restoring one‑third of the board at a time.
Jones noted that the state has a spectrum of intervention tools, ranging from appointing monitors to full board replacements. He expects Hinojosa’s education policy to favor fewer takeovers, but any existing interventions will still need to satisfy statutory requirements.
Path forward for legislative change
To alter the takeover framework, Hinojosa would need to sponsor legislation that passes both the Texas Senate and House. Chapa warned that achieving sufficient bipartisan backing could be challenging given the current Republican majority.
Meanwhile, Hinojosa told reporters she is “actively interviewing” candidates for the commissioner role, signaling that the transition will begin promptly after her inauguration.
What this means for families
If Hinojosa succeeds in appointing a new commissioner and works with the Senate, Texas families could see a shift toward greater local input in school governance. For districts already showing academic progress, such as Fort Worth ISD, the promise of restored local control aligns with parental desires for community‑driven education decisions.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
