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- calendar_today November 7, 2026
State-Appointed Managers Ready for Transition
State-appointed school board managers in Texas districts under state takeover are preparing to leave their roles as Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa’s inauguration approaches. Hinojosa campaigned on ending state takeovers in public schools and pledged to replace Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath with an educator when she takes office on January 19. This change could quickly alter governance across the eight districts currently overseen by the state due to persistent academic underperformance.
Preparing for a Shift to Local Control
During a state takeover, the TEA commissioner appoints managers who exercise the authority of locally elected trustees. These appointed managers can be replaced by a new commissioner at any time. Board presidents from Houston ISD and Fort Worth ISD report actively preparing for this impending shift by collaborating with elected trustees. Ric Campo, president of the Houston ISD board of managers, described plans to meet with elected trustees to facilitate a smooth transition so trustees are fully prepared to resume governance duties. "We’re working ourselves out of a job, and we’re happy to do it," Campo said.
Community Reactions and Academic Impacts
Governor-elect Hinojosa’s victory has been widely celebrated by teachers, parents, and community members who support returning control to local school districts. Houston teacher and parent Elizabeth Chapman remarked, "We have an answer that the people of Texas want local control of their school districts." Jessi Heiner, an organizer with the Houston Federation of Teachers, expressed relief at the change in leadership, believing it could restore local authority to school districts and support the Texas public education system.
The Houston ISD takeover, which began in 2023, has seen increased teacher turnover—nearly double the state average for 2025-26—and accelerating student attrition since state intervention began, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. Proponents of current reforms, such as HISD Superintendent Mike Miles’ model emphasizing standardized curriculum and daily assessments, argue these measures improve student achievement, particularly for historically underserved student groups. Yet, the future of these reforms is uncertain, as new leadership could reverse changes made under state control.
Board Managers and Superintendents Face Uncertainty
Raymond Tijerina, president of the South San Antonio ISD board of managers, is considering increasing the integration of elected trustees in anticipation of possible removal but urges a district-specific approach from the incoming administration. Meanwhile, both Campo and Fort Worth ISD’s Pete Geren expressed readiness to facilitate smooth handovers, emphasizing their primary goal remains supporting students during the transition.
Superintendents appointed by the board of managers, like Mike Miles in Houston ISD, have contracts detailing termination procedures and possible payouts. Miles, for example, could receive up to $924,000 if removed without cause. The future process for hiring superintendents may revert to local boards, pending legal and administrative decisions by the new commissioner.
Legal Framework and the Future of State Takeovers
The return to local control is governed by Texas law, which typically requires a transition to begin no later than the second anniversary of the takeover. One-third of the trustees replace one-third of the board managers annually over a three-year period once the process is initiated. However, the law also stipulates that boards of managers can only be removed once specific academic benchmarks are achieved.
Hinojosa’s campaign to halt state takeovers altogether would require legislative approval—a process complicated by the partisan makeup of the Texas Legislature. In the interim, a new TEA commissioner could choose to close failing campuses rather than implement further takeovers. Austin ISD triggered the law allowing for a takeover this year, with at least 14 other districts at risk in the near future.
Next Steps for Texas School Governance
The path forward for Texas school oversight remains in flux. Rachel White, an educational leadership professor at the University of Texas at Austin, notes that current law grants significant latitude to the commissioner in appointing or retaining board members. Elected HISD board president Dani Hernandez emphasized the need to hire a superintendent focused on stability, community engagement, and improved student achievement when local control is restored.
The outcome of these transitions will be influenced by Hinojosa’s appointees, legislative negotiations, and evolving district performance data. As Texas school districts prepare for potential changes, school leaders and community members continue to focus on ensuring continuity and progress for students statewide.
Related coverage
Source: feeds.texastribune.org.
