Fort Worth ISD CFO Exits as District Faces Potential State Takeover

As of September 10, 2025, the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) is facing a potential state takeover, with its Chief Financial Officer, Carmer Arrieta-Candelaria, set to depart the district in the coming weeks.

Arrieta-Candelaria joined FWISD in January 2022 and has been credited with leading efforts to transform the district's business operations into a more efficient and effective system. This included the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that combined three separate systems into one. Additionally, Arrieta-Candelaria oversaw the development of Academic Return On Investment processes and various changes to the payroll and contract management processes.

However, Arrieta-Candelaria's departure comes as the district faces a looming decision from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) regarding a possible state takeover. In June 2022, the TEA informed FWISD that the state may take over the district by appointing a new superintendent and Board of Managers or closing a middle school campus following five consecutive years of failing academic ratings.

The Leadership Academy at Forest Oak 6th Grade has received its fifth consecutive "unacceptable" academic rating for the 2022-2023 school year, triggering the mandatory state intervention under Texas Education Code. FWISD has seen significant improvements in its overall A-F ratings, cutting the number of failing schools by more than half, and the district's rating has increased from a D to a C for the 2024-2025 school year. However, it remains to be seen if these improvements will be enough to prevent a state takeover.

FWISD Superintendent Karen Molinar has stated that the district is making changes this school year to increase student outcomes, including extending the school year for certain campuses. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath visited the district last month and said a decision on the takeover will come at the end of the year.