Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) managers voted 7‑0 on Tuesday to postpone two controversial proposals that would have altered the district’s student‑transfer lottery priorities and reduced parent and teacher representation on the district advisory committee. The decision came after a heated public hearing in which parents, educators and community members voiced strong concerns.
Parents fear mid‑year rule changes
Among the most vocal critics was Ashley Perry, a mother of three who was planning for her youngest child’s middle‑school placement. Perry explained that a sudden change to the lottery preferences left her family scrambling for backup plans. “Changing the rules of the game during mid‑play is unfair,” she told the state‑appointed board of managers on Nov. 10.
Under the original policy, FWISD uses a lottery that gives priority to students with siblings already enrolled at a school and to children of district employees. The proposed amendment would have removed the requirement that a lottery be used for all transfers, allowing administrators to set selection rules directly. While the district still intended to run a lottery for the upcoming school year, the removal of the lottery requirement from board policy would have given administrators broader discretion.
Superintendent pauses the process
Superintendent Peter Licata announced earlier in the meeting that the district would halt any changes to transfer priorities while data were reviewed. “We need to preserve continuity for students and families while examining whether inequities exist in our current practices,” Licata said, emphasizing a commitment to listening to community input.
Additional speakers raised concerns about how the proposed changes could affect families dealing with school closures or transportation challenges. After the discussion, managers voted to table the transfer‑policy updates, leaving the existing lottery system in place for the time being.
Advisory committee revisions also delayed
The board also considered a proposal to shrink the district advisory committee from 21 members to 13 and to shift appointment authority from the elected board to the superintendent. The plan would have cut teacher seats from eight to five and parent seats from five to two, eliminating designated seats for elementary, middle and high schools, special‑education and choice‑program representatives.
Educator and parent advocate Randi Wheeler questioned the rationale behind reducing stakeholder representation. “How will reducing parent and teacher representation improve stakeholder engagement?” she asked. Wheeler warned that the district was moving toward a less inclusive governance model at a time when trust needed rebuilding.
Licata agreed that the proposal needed further review. “I just don’t think it’s in anyone’s best interest for me to select who I think should go on there,” he said, noting that the committee had struggled to meet regularly and maintain membership. “I want an objective group of people,” he added, reaffirming the district’s desire to keep community voices involved.
Next steps
Chief of staff Louis Kushner told the Fort Worth Report that a revised advisory‑committee proposal will be presented at the December managers’ meeting. The district will continue to collect feedback on other pending items, including the district improvement plan, which is also slated for December consideration.
“In other words, we’re listening,” Licata concluded, assuring parents that the board remains committed to transparent decision‑making.
Background
FWISD is currently under a state‑appointed board of managers following a takeover that began in 2024. Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa has pledged to end such interventions, though the timeline for returning to elected governance remains uncertain. The district’s ongoing efforts to engage families and educators are seen as a critical step toward restoring trust and ensuring that policy decisions reflect community values.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
