The former superintendent of the Broward County (Florida) district has been tapped by Texas education officials to lead the Fort Worth School District.
The Texas Tribune reports that Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath has appointed Peter B. Licata as Fort Worth's school superintendent. Morath ordered a state takeover of the Fort Worth district in October after one campus received five consecutive failing academic ratings under the state’s accountability system.
Morath also named nine managers to replace the district’s elected school board.
Licata served as Broward County superintendent for 10 months starting in 2023. He resigned because of health concerns. He is Fort Worth’s fourth superintendent in as many years.
Licata spent nearly three decades working in Florida schools, primarily in Palm Beach County, where he rose from classroom teacher and coach to principal and district leader.
As superintendent, Licata will lead the district under state oversight, working alongside the managers and conservator appointed by the commissioner.
The new superintendent is tasked with improving academic outcomes across Fort Worth schools, where reading and math performance have lagged behind state averages for years.
