Licata's First Week: No Cuts, Big Raises for Teachers

0:00It's April 1st, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Dallas News Today, your AI-powered local news. Fort Worth Independent School District's new state appointed superintendent, Peter Lakata, just fixed a $43 million budget shortfall in. His first week on the job, working side-by-side with the chief financial officer, and he did it without cutting a single school. Earlier this week on March 31st, Lakata and the Fresh Board of Managers held their first meeting, vowing to shake things up for the districts. Nearly 68,000 students, with plans rolling out soon for bigger raises, aimed straight at teachers who they call the real MbPs on campus. After the kids, community voices filled the room, from parents and groups like families organized and resisting takeover, pushing hard for transparency and a fast. Track back to local control by the 2026-27 school year, while speakers called out the Skimpy Agenda and got quick apologies. From leaders promising it won't happen again, they've already made moves like shifting

1:01the speaker lectern for direct eye contact, ditching the old row barrier between board and crowd, and giving. Every commenter or full three minutes, no matter what, to build that trust, especially with the over 60% Latino student body urging leaders. To listen first in their neighborhoods, as they chase those exit goals, no failing campuses, top reading and mass scores, solid governance, these changes signal a real pivot toward student. Winds and open doors, keeping the pressure on for accountability every step.