Texas Appoints New Fort Worth ISD Leadership, Hires Superintendent Peter Licata Post-Takeover

New Leadership Appointed for Fort Worth ISD

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced new leadership for the Fort Worth Independent School District (ISD) on Tuesday morning, marking a significant step in the district’s journey after being placed under state control due to underperformance. The decision comes five months after the TEA took over the district, aiming to address long-standing issues and improve academic outcomes.

Peter Licata has been named as the new superintendent of Fort Worth ISD. Prior to this role, Licata served as the superintendent and CEO of Broward County Public Schools in South Florida during the 2023-24 school year. He stepped down after just one year, citing medical reasons, but his tenure was marked by notable achievements. Under his leadership, the district earned its first A rating from the state in over 14 years, with no campuses receiving grades of D or F.

Broward County Public Schools is the sixth-largest public school system in the United States, serving more than 250,000 students and employing 32,000 staff members. Before his time in Broward County, Licata spent nearly 30 years in the neighboring Palm Beach County School District, where he worked as a teacher, principal, and executive.

In a statement shared by the TEA, Licata outlined his vision for Fort Worth ISD: “My North Star for Fort Worth ISD is simple and unwavering: every student reading on grade level, mastering mathematics, and graduating prepared for college, career, or military service in a system strong enough to sustain that success long after state intervention ends.”

Lori Alhadeff, a member of the Broward County Public Schools board, praised the appointment of Licata in a statement provided to CBS News Texas. She highlighted his commitment to students and his ability to lead with both heart and accountability. “Peter is a relationship-driven leader who listens, builds trust, and isn’t afraid to make tough decisions in the best interest of children,” she said.

“Fort Worth ISD is gaining a leader who is deeply experienced, student-centered, and fully committed to doing the hard work required to move the district forward,” Alhadeff added.

Licata will begin his role immediately under a 21-day interim contract. His formal approval will be reviewed during an upcoming board meeting.

Board of Managers Appointed

In addition to the new superintendent, the TEA also appointed a Board of Managers to oversee Fort Worth ISD temporarily. This board replaces the elected Board of Trustees and will work closely with Licata to meet specific exit criteria before the district returns to local governance.

More than 300 people applied for positions on the board, with 182 completing the required training. The final nine-member board includes:

Bobby Ahdieh: Dean of the Texas A&M University School of Law in Fort Worth
Rosa Marie Berdeja: Fort Worth attorney
Luis A. Galindo: Fort Worth attorney
Laurie George: Fort Worth ISD parent and former educator
Pete Geren: Non-profit CEO, former member of Congress and former Secretary of the Army
Courtney Lewis: Finance and banking professional, Fort Worth non-profit leader
Frost Prioleau: Fort Worth business leader
Jay Steagall: Fort Worth business leader
Tennessee Walker: Fort Worth ISD parent, attorney, and non-profit leader

According to the TEA, the Board of Managers will collaborate with Licata to achieve the following exit criteria:

No campuses with multiple years of unacceptable grades in state accountability ratings
District exceeds the state and/or regional average for “meets grade level” proficiency in reading language arts and mathematics
Board must achieve a “meets focus” rating using the Lone Star Governance Continuous Improvement Framework

These criteria are designed to address the underlying causes that led to the state intervention. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath emphasized the importance of the new leadership and governance team. “Fort Worth wants the best possible academic outcomes for every student, as evidenced by the hundreds of community members that showed their willingness to serve,” he said.

“Possessing a diverse range of experiences and expertise, the governance and leadership team appointed today is comprised of individuals with an aligned vision and collective belief that all students, when properly supported, can achieve at high levels. I look forward to seeing this belief in action and their leadership of Fort Worth ISD’s next chapter.”