Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) convened a special board meeting Wednesday night to consider the implications of newly‑elected Governor Gina Hinojosa’s education agenda for the district’s future. Hinojosa, who will be sworn in on Jan. 19, 2027, has promised to end state takeovers of local school districts, eliminate no‑bid contracts, and redirect funds toward higher teacher salaries.
Governor‑elect’s promises
In a victory speech after Tuesday’s election, Hinojosa declared, “I will take the oath of office ready to lead a government by the people and for the people, not for the people who donated the most, not for the people who know the right people, but for every Texan.” She added that she intends to fire Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath on her first day in office.
Hinojosa also pledged to end what she called the “Texas voucher scam,” referring to the private‑school voucher program created under former Governor Greg Abbott. She described the program as a misuse of public funds that primarily benefits wealthier families.
Other key points of her platform include ending the STARR test, which she labeled “flawed” and unreliable for measuring student achievement, and eliminating no‑bid contracts, which she said have inflated costs without competition.
Fort Worth ISD’s recent experience with state control
FWISD experienced a state takeover in March, when the elected board was superseded by a state‑appointed board led by superintendent Dr. Peter Licata. The takeover placed the district under a Board of Managers, with Pete Geren serving as its president.
During the recent special meeting, Geren emphasized a collaborative approach, stating, “The appointed board wants to work together and do what is right for the kids.” Elected board president Roxanne Martinez, who also serves as a trustee, expressed optimism about regaining local control, saying, “I woke up today hopeful that we will regain local control of our school district.”
The appointed board did not comment on a specific timeline for transitioning out of state control, but several members of the public referenced Hinojosa’s election during the comment period.
Potential impact on the district
If Hinojosa follows through on her promises, FWISD could see the appointed board dissolved and authority returned to the elected trustees. Restoring local governance would align with the district’s desire for community‑driven decision‑making and could open avenues for increased teacher compensation, as outlined in the governor‑elect’s platform.
Ending no‑bid contracts could also affect the district’s procurement processes, potentially leading to more competitive bidding and cost savings. However, the transition would require coordination between the state‑appointed board, the elected board, and the incoming governor’s administration.
Community response
Local parents and educators have voiced mixed reactions. Some welcome the prospect of returning control to elected officials, citing concerns that state oversight limited community input. Others remain cautious, noting that the governor‑elect’s proposals, while popular, will need concrete legislative action and funding to be realized.
“We’ve been waiting for a chance to have our voices heard again,” said a Fort Worth parent who attended the meeting. “If Governor Hinojosa can deliver on these promises, it could be a turning point for our schools.”
Next steps
FWISD will continue monitoring developments as the transition period approaches. The district plans to hold additional public meetings to keep families informed and to coordinate with the governor‑elect’s office on the implementation timeline for policy changes.
For now, the district remains under state management, but the conversation in Fort Worth reflects a broader statewide debate about the balance of power between local school boards and the state education authority.
Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
