TEA Orders State Takeover of Lake Worth ISD After Five Years of Unacceptable Ratings

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath has announced a state takeover of the Lake Worth Independent School District (ISD) following five consecutive years of unacceptable accountability ratings at the district’s Marilyn Miller Language Academy. The takeover will involve appointing a conservator and a board of managers to oversee the district.

What a State Takeover Means

Under Texas law, a school that fails to meet accountability standards for five consecutive years must be subject to a state takeover. The commissioner can either close the failing school or replace the district’s elected school board with a state‑appointed board of managers. In this case, Lake Worth ISD will receive a board of managers and a conservator.

Marilyn Miller Language Academy’s Declining Ratings

The academy earned its fifth consecutive unacceptable rating for the 2024‑25 school year. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) noted that it has been eight years since the academy earned an acceptable academic accountability rating. Since the current A‑F accountability system began in 2019, the school has held a final rating of Improvement Required for 2018, the lowest rating in the system.

District‑Wide Performance Snapshot

The TEA letter highlighted that every campus in Lake Worth ISD earned either an F or a C. Five campuses received Fs and one received a C. Five of the district’s six campuses are now rated academically unacceptable for consecutive years. TEA added:

> “Lake Worth ISD has demonstrated a chronic inability to support students to learn and achieve at high levels,” and “Across all grades and subjects, only 22% of students in Lake Worth ISD are meeting grade level. This is 28 percentage points below state average.”

Commissioner Morath’s Letter to the District

In a letter sent on September 3, Morath informed the district that the academy’s ratings were final and that he would be required to act. He stated:

> “Ultimately, the Lake Worth ISD school board has, collectively, through action and inaction over many years, failed its students,” and “The inability of the district to implement effective changes to improve the performance of students in the district or at the campus necessitates the interventions announced by this letter.” He added that the interventions were in the public interest because of the district’s continual academic deficiencies.

How the Takeover Will Proceed

The TEA has previously taken over the Fort Worth ISD on October 22. A conservator was not named until November 6. For Lake Worth, the board of managers will consist of community members, and anyone interested can apply through the TEA’s website. The transition is expected to take several months, with the full takeover occurring sometime in 2026. Until then, the current superintendent and school board remain in charge.

It is unclear whether Morath will replace Superintendent Dr. Mark Ramirez. In past takeovers, the commissioner has replaced both the school board and the superintendent.

Lake Worth ISD’s Response

The district announced that the TEA’s decision does not alter its commitment to its mission or its partnership with the community. Superintendent Ramirez said:

> “We accept the TEA’s decision and view this as an opportunity to accelerate our progress,” and “Our focus remains clear: supporting teachers, improving instruction and doing what’s best for kids. We are committed to transparency, accountability and partnership as we work side‑by‑side with TEA to ensure lasting improvements for our students.”

Ramirez also highlighted a recent success: the district appealed TEA’s accountability rating for Lake Worth High School and increased the rating from a 69 to a 79, just one point shy of a B. He remarked, “This victory underscores the immediate, positive impact of our collective effort.”

Next Steps and Oversight

The current board of trustees will have an informal review of the board of managers and conservator appointments on December 19. During that meeting, the district can present supporting documentation for consideration. After the review, if the TEA proceeds with appointments, the district can file a petition for review with the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

If the state ends its intervention while the current board remains in office, the school board could return to elected positions. Trustee elections will continue on schedule, but newly elected trustees may lack decision‑making authority if elected during the appointment period. Returning to trustee control can take two years, with one‑third of the appointed board of managers replaced by elected trustees every twelve months.

Lake Worth ISD’s Turnaround Plan

The district reiterated that it will continue implementing a “bold, strategic and comprehensive turnaround plan focused squarely on academic improvement, particularly in foundational literacy and math,” noting that improvements have already been seen due to these strategic approaches.

Key Takeaways

• TEA orders state takeover of Lake Worth ISD after five consecutive unacceptable ratings at Marilyn Miller Language Academy.
• A board of managers and a conservator will be appointed, with the full transition expected by 2026.
• The district remains committed to improvement, citing recent rating gains and a comprehensive turnaround plan.

Lake Worth ISD’s journey now enters a new phase under state oversight, with the goal of restoring academic standards and ensuring every student meets grade‑level expectations.