URGENT UPDATE: Texas superintendents are sounding the alarm on state takeovers of school districts, declaring they are NOT a sustainable solution for enhancing student learning. During a panel at The Texas Tribune Festival on Saturday, top educators criticized the practice of replacing democratically-elected school boards with state-appointed boards, emphasizing the negative implications for local control.
The move comes as two of Texas’ largest school districts, Houston ISD and Fort Worth ISD, are currently under state control after experiencing five consecutive years of failing ratings at one of their campuses. Superintendent Martha Salazar-Zamora of Tomball ISD, a district with approximately 22,000 students, voiced her concerns, stating, “Do I think that’s sustainable? Absolutely not.”
Superintendents from across Texas, including Christopher Moran of San Angelo ISD and Matias Segura of Austin ISD, gathered to discuss the urgent consequences of these state interventions. They warn that local control is under siege, particularly as districts grapple with financial deficits and budget constraints.
In a stark reminder of the contentious nature of these takeovers, recent upheaval in the Houston school district illustrated the challenges involved. While state-appointed superintendent Mike Miles claims no failing schools in 2025 due to his reforms, this success came at the cost of significant student and teacher attrition.
The superintendents collectively stressed that accountability measures are essential, but decision-making should remain with local school boards. Segura is actively addressing potential closures and boundary adjustments in Austin ISD to avert state sanctions that could disrupt education for over 70,000 students.
“Right now, if we continue our trajectory, we will not be able to serve our students, and that will ultimately lead to a state intervention at some point down the road,” Segura warned, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. “I do not want to be there. I’m not going to be the superintendent that allows us to get there.”
The Texas Education Agency has taken over 11 school districts since 2000, citing it as a last resort to improve academic performance. However, the latest remarks from superintendents highlight the growing consensus that state takeovers are not the answer to the challenges facing Texas schools.
As this situation continues to develop, all eyes will be on Texas education leaders and their efforts to reclaim local control, ensuring that the needs of students remain the priority. This urgent call to action underscores the critical need for community involvement and support in navigating the future of education in Texas.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
