The Texas Education Agency’s recent decision to place Fort Worth ISD under state oversight is drawing both scrutiny and outrage from local residents and education advocates.
Commissioner Mike Morath announced the appointment of Christopher Ruszkowski as conservator to oversee the district’s leadership and operations for the next two years, citing years of poor academic performance at the now-closed Leadership Academy at Forest Oak.
But the move has sparked intense debate about whether this intervention is truly about student performance or part of a broader push toward privatizing public education through public-private partnerships, or PPPs.
Critics, including FWISD Watchdog, argue that the takeover was premeditated and politically motivated. They point to the increasing influence of local nonprofits and partnerships tied to Fort Worth’s business elite—such as the Fort Worth Education Partnership and Tarrant To & Through (T3) Partnership—as evidence of a coordinated effort to reshape public education governance in the city.
Adding to the controversy are concerns about Ruszkowski himself. During his tenure as New Mexico’s Secretary of Education, he faced public backlash for remarks praising Manifest Destiny as an example of American character, a statement that offended many Indigenous leaders. He later expressed regret for what he described as a poorly phrased comment, but the episode left lasting questions about his cultural awareness and leadership approach.
Reports also show that Ruszkowski defended low levels of education funding in New Mexico, arguing that increased funding would not necessarily improve outcomes. Critics say his policies favored charter school expansion over strengthening traditional public schools, a stance that aligns with what many fear could be the future for Fort Worth ISD under his oversight.
Meanwhile, the Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees has pushed back against the TEA’s decision. Board President Roxanne Martinez issued a statement affirming the district’s progress and opposing the state’s move, saying local governance and community support are key to sustained success.
Still, watchdog groups and community advocates remain wary. They question why certain trustees have received campaign contributions from political action committees and donors connected to private education interests, arguing that these ties have compromised the board’s integrity.
As the district prepares for the arrival of a state-appointed board of managers, many in Fort Worth are left wondering whether the TEA’s intervention will uplift public education—or pave the way for its gradual privatization.
For more on the TEA’s decision and the full letter from Commissioner Morath, visit tea.texas.gov/board-of-managers.
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