Lake Worth ISD, a roughly 3,200-student district northwest of Fort Worth, is now under state control due to years of academic decline. The district’s struggles began to show in 2018, with the share of students meeting grade level expectations falling from 28% to 22% in 2025.
Years of Warning Signs
Despite the decline, district leadership moved slowly to address the issues. In 2024, the board of trustees voted to extend the contract of then-Superintendent Rose Mary Neshyba, who oversaw the continued decline. It wasn’t until May 2025 that the board hired a new superintendent, Mark Ramirez.
Ramirez, a longtime Dallas ISD administrator, described Lake Worth as having a “small-town feel” but “urban inner-city challenges.” His administration pushed consistent lesson frameworks, classroom coaching, and student discussion. However, the state’s intervention was already underway, and Ramirez’s efforts were ultimately too little, too late.
A New Era for Lake Worth ISD
The state’s takeover of Lake Worth ISD has brought significant changes to the district. A new board of managers and superintendent have been appointed, and the district is now under state control. The new leaders will be tasked with turning around the district’s academic performance and rebuilding trust with the community.
Parents and community members have expressed concerns about the lack of communication from the district regarding the severity of the academic decline. Some have praised the district’s efforts to support students with special needs, but others have criticized the district’s slow response to the crisis.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
