At a Saturday workshop, Fort Worth ISD’s board of managers began drafting district goals and superintendent limits after hearing weeks‑long concerns from parents about scripted lessons. The draft rules, which will be finalized at the Nov. 10 meeting, require Superintendent Peter Licata to obtain teacher feedback before implementing significant lesson or instructional changes.
Teacher trust at the forefront
Board President Pete Geren said the top issue raised by residents was a loss of teacher trust. “Teachers told managers that the superintendent rolled out scripted lessons and other instructional changes without talking to them,” Geren noted. Manager Tennessee Walker echoed the sentiment, stressing that sustainable results depend on teachers feeling respected and staying long‑term in the district.
Balancing test scores and community input
Licata pointed to early‑year test indicators as evidence that his instructional overhaul is working, saying, “Right now we’re getting pretty damn good results.” Manager Jay Stegall acknowledged the data but warned of a disconnect between district staff impressions and community feedback.
Fiscal responsibility added as a sixth limit
Licata asked the board to include a constraint preventing the district from operating in a fiscally unsound manner, citing a nearly $50 million shortfall, declining enrollment, and excess campuses. Secretary Rosa Maria Berdeja noted that fiscal responsibility was not raised in the listening sessions, but Vice President Courtney Lewis affirmed the importance of a sound budget: “No mission, no money.”
Survey shows demographic gaps
The board’s survey drew 2,637 respondents, but the racial breakdown did not reflect the district’s student body. While 12.6% of students are white, nearly half of respondents who reported race identified as white. Latino respondents (65% of students) and Black respondents were under‑represented, prompting Manager Jay Stegall to suggest additional outreach before the next meeting.
Next steps
Managers plan to refine the goals and limits based on broader community input. Geren pledged to engage a professional to help reach groups that have been missed, aiming for a more representative process.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
