Fort Worth, TX – After Tuesday’s election, Governor‑elect Gina Hinojosa reiterated her commitment to return governance of Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) and Lake Worth Independent School District (LWISD) to locally elected trustees. While the election does not automatically restore board authority, Hinojosa said she is interviewing candidates for the state education commissioner post and will seek a smooth transition for Texas students.

Local leaders welcome the promise

At a news conference outside the FWISD administration building, appointed board President Pete Geren embraced elected trustee Roxanne Martinez, symbolizing the hope for cooperation between the appointed and elected members. Geren told reporters, “I’m here today to assure her and other school board members that the appointed board wants to work together and do what’s right for the kids.”

Martinez, an elected trustee, urged the appointed board to act as caretakers until elected officials can resume full authority. She emphasized the need to pause any irreversible decisions that could affect students, resources, and community voice.

Challenges facing the districts

FWISD currently struggles with some of the lowest student achievement scores in Texas, a nearly $50 million budget shortfall, shrinking reserves, and declining enrollment that has left many classrooms empty. Staffing shortages and eroded community trust add to the district’s difficulties. LWISD, which entered state management after five consecutive failing accountability ratings, also faces academic hurdles but has shown signs of improvement under former superintendent Mark Ramirez.

Both districts’ elected trustees stressed that any transition back to local control must be handled carefully to avoid further disruption for students and staff who have already endured significant change.

What the law says

Texas law allows the education commissioner to replace individual managers at any time, but removing an entire board of managers generally requires the district to achieve acceptable academic ratings for two consecutive years. The law also outlines a phased return to elected governance, replacing one‑third of appointed managers with elected trustees during each of the final three years of an intervention.

Rachel Moran, director of the Education Law Program at Texas A&M University School of Law, noted that a new commissioner could adjust exit criteria or replace appointed managers, though the academic performance standards would remain unless the legislature amends the statute.

Voices from the community

Lake Worth ISD appointed board president Tom Harris said the board will continue focusing on academic improvement until state officials provide new direction. District spokesperson Noah Ceballos echoed that LWISD will follow all applicable laws and respond to any formal governance changes.

Former FWISD trustee Michael Ryan, a longtime Republican supporter, explained his vote for Hinojosa because of her education policies, adding, “I voted red 99 % of the time — and this was one of those 1 % times that I didn’t.” He cautioned that legal restrictions will shape how quickly takeovers can be ended.

Uncertain timeline

While Hinojosa’s victory over Governor Greg Abbott was decisive, the exact date she can replace Education Commissioner Mike Morath—and what authority a new commissioner will have—remains unclear. Morath issued a statement promising cooperation with his successor for a smooth transition.

Trustees Anne Darr and Quinton Phillips warned that restoring elected governance will require extensive triage and cannot simply be flipped like a switch. “There’s going to be a lot of catching up for us to do, and it’s going to have to be case by case,” Darr said.

Lake Worth elected trustee Tammy Thomas, who spent an all‑night drafting a letter to Hinojosa, expressed optimism that her district could return to local control sooner than Fort Worth, citing recent academic gains. “I expect everybody to be ready to go back to work,” Thomas said.

Next steps

As Governor‑elect Hinojosa finalizes her education commissioner selection, both districts await clarification on the legal pathway to restore elected board authority. Community members, parents, and educators continue to advocate for a transition that safeguards student learning while honoring local control.

Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.