Texas Education Agency Appoints Board of Managers and Names New Superintendent for Lake Worth ISD

AUSTIN, Texas - April 23, 2026 - The Texas Education Agency (TEA) today announced the appointment of a five-member Board of Managers and selection of a new superintendent to oversee the operations of Lake Worth Independent School District (LWISD).

"Lake Worth ISD students deserve a school system that prepares them for success in college, career or the military," said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. "The newly appointed Board of Managers and superintendent bring the experience and commitment necessary to improve academic outcomes, strengthen district systems and build a strong foundation for long-term success in Lake Worth ISD."

Commissioner Morath named Dr. Ena Meyers as the new superintendent of Lake Worth ISD. Superintendent Meyers began working today under a 21-day interim contract, pending formal approval from the Board of Managers at an upcoming board meeting.

Dr. Meyers is a lifelong public educator with more than two decades of experience supporting students, teachers and school communities across Texas. She has served as a classroom teacher, campus principal, and, most recently, Deputy Chief of Strategic Initiatives at Houston ISD. Known for her work strengthening schools through high-quality instruction and strong support for educators, Dr. Meyers is deeply committed to improving student achievement and making intentional changes to help students reach their full potential. Dr. Meyers' experience will be a critical asset to advancing student success, benefiting all students in Lake Worth ISD.

Commissioner Morath appointed the following individuals to the Lake Worth ISD Board of Managers:

Tom Harris: Tom Harris is a business and community leader who has spent much of his career supporting aviation, operations, and development initiatives in Tarrant County. He currently chairs the Fort Worth Mayor's Council on Education and Workforce Development, helping prepare students for future careers. Harris and his wife co-founded the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation, focused on suicide prevention and mental health awareness. He also serves on several non-profit boards supporting education and children's initiatives.

Amy Morgan: A longtime public school educator with more than 30 years of experience in the classroom, Amy Morgan has served as a teacher, district administrator and higher education instructor. Morgan has dedicated her career to supporting special populations and serving educational and community organizations throughout the greater Fort Worth area. Morgan holds degrees from Southwest Texas State University, the University of Houston - Clear Lake, and Nova Southeastern University.

Kenneth (Ken) Nichols: Kenneth Nichols is a retired U.S. Navy officer and leadership professional with more than 30 years of military service. He holds two doctoral degrees and serves as an adjunct professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Abraham Lincoln University. Deeply committed to service, Nichols volunteers and serves on boards supporting veterans, underserved communities, and workforce development initiatives. He also serves as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Mason Sneed: A business and financial professional, Mason Sneed works on the investment team at a Fort Worth-based private equity firm. He has over a decade of experience spanning private equity, corporate restructuring and engineering. Sneed holds a Master of Business Administration from Rice University and a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Judy Starnes: Judy Starnes has called Lake Worth home for more than 45 years. She is also a parent and a retired Lake Worth ISD educator. During her 25-year teaching career, Starnes worked with students across a range of special populations and served as team leader and department head at her school. Over the years, she has led workshops for educators and remains actively involved in the Lake Worth community. Starnes received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Texas Wesleyan University.

The appointed Board of Managers today temporarily replaces the current elected board of trustees and will be responsible for overseeing the management of the school district. The Board of Managers will hold public board meetings and will be subject to the same legal requirements and obligations as the elected Board of Trustees. This includes holding all meetings in public, allowing for public comment, holding public hearings, and posting all required budget and tax information for public review and discussion.

The Board of Managers will work collaboratively with the new superintendent to guide Lake Worth ISD toward sustainable improvement and to accomplish the exit criteria set forth by TEA that must be met before the transition back to the elected board. Specifically, the exit criteria that address the underlying causes of the intervention include (1) ensuring the district has zero multi-year unacceptable campuses, (2) improving student proficiency in Reading and Mathematics, including for students with disabilities and emergent bilingual students, and (3) using the Lone Star Governance Continuous Framework, the School Board must achieve a "Meets Focus".
Background of Agency Intervention and Board of Managers Process

On December 11, 2025, Commissioner Morath announced TEA's intent to appoint a Board of Managers for Lake Worth ISD, an action required under the bipartisan law, House Bill (HB) 1842, passed in 2015 by the Texas Legislature.

Applications for the board of managers were received from Tarrant County residents with a diverse array of skill sets and expertise.

• Total Applications: 19
• Total Applications within LWISD Boundaries: 4
• Total Applications within Tarrant County: 15
• Male: 10, Female: 9
• Educational Attainment: Doctorate: 5, Master's: 8, Bachelor's: 3, High School Diploma: 3
• Lone Star Governance: 16 candidates completed the required LSG training

Superintendent Selection Criteria
Per statutory authority granted by HB 1842, the Texas Education Commissioner is required to appoint a Board of Managers and a superintendent. TEA conducted a national search and interviewed candidates with a strong track record of improving outcomes for students in prior school system leadership roles. Additionally, candidates were evaluated for competencies in several key areas, including curriculum and instructional leadership, student support services, talent management, performance management, systems leadership and community engagement and communication.

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