Residents urge city to help keep De Zavala open as Fort Worth ISD faces TEA warning

Residents told the Fort Worth City Council during public comments that De Zavala Elementary should remain open and that the city should act to protect high-performing neighborhood schools as Fort Worth ISD faces a warning from the Texas Education Agency.

"De Zavala stands tall as a school that demonstrates the promise of the American dream, changing the lives of students to put them on a different trajectory than most other schools in our district would afford," said Heather Tolkstorf, a De Zavala parent and PTA member.

Speakers said the issue matters beyond the school itself because De Zavala has posted consecutive high ratings amid broader district struggles. "Rather than face closure, we should be the shining example of what Fort Worth ISD can actually be," said Patrick O'Neil, who identified himself as a 10-year resident of Fairmount and a grandfather of students at De Zavala.

Annette Cribilaro, who identified herself as a Fort Worth ISD parent, PTA member and licensed social worker, told the council that "TEA has warned that Fort Worth ISD is at risk of state takeover due to failing ratings for five consecutive years at schools," and she raised concerns about the district's facilities master plan that she said proposes closing high-performing campuses.

David Martinez, a resident who spoke later in the meeting, also urged the city to help neighborhoods that will face ripple effects from school closures, citing Carter Park Elementary as a school slated to close and saying residents are organizing to press the district for help.

No council motion or vote on school closures or a formal request to the district was recorded during the meeting. Speakers asked the council to "stand with" families, to urge Fort Worth ISD to preserve high-performing, neighborhood schools, and to provide support to communities facing school consolidations.

The comments came during the meeting's public-comment period; council staff reduced speaking time because the meeting risked losing quorum. Council members did not respond with any formal action on the record during the public-comment period.

Residents requested that the city use its influence with the district and assist community organizing around affected schools. The speakers provided both statistical claims and personal testimony: they said De Zavala has earned an A rating for multiple consecutive years and described the school as serving a diverse, largely Title I student population. The total number of district schools referenced in public comments varied in the remarks and was not specified precisely to the council.

Speakers and community members said they expect further public engagement with the district and called on council members to publicly support keeping neighborhood schools open.