Water Damage Restoration in Fort Worth, TX

City leaders have called the development of a Texas A&M-Fort Worth downtown campus a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” and “catalytic.”

At the Dec. 10 City Council session, council members voted unanimously to waive up to $800,000 in development-related fees for two of the buildings that make up the planned three-building, 3.5-acre downtown campus. There was no discussion on the agenda item.

The $800,000 break is for the university’s Law and Education Building, which is currently being constructed — its framing is visible off of Interstate 30 — and the Research and Innovation Building, which is planned to house public and private research and development. The $260 million Research and Innovation Building is currently in the design phase.

To approve the waiver, council members must determine it serves a public purpose with adequate controls in place to ensure that the public purpose is met, according to the council agenda. A city report listed more than a dozen types of fees that would be waived, including plan reviews, inspection and commercial grading fees. The report stated the waiver would not be for fees that have already been paid.

During the same council meeting, members voted 9-1 to hire Jay Chapa in the role of city manager. Upon leaving the city in 2022 after 25 years in managerial roles, including as deputy city manager, Chapa opened a consulting business, with the Texas A&M University System being one of his first clients.

Chapa was tasked to negotiate on behalf of the university system to “ensure alignment between City and Texas A&M University System,” according to a copy of the contract obtained by the Report. Council member Chris Nettles, the lone council member to vote against Chapa’s appointment, has asked the city attorney’s office to issue a formal opinion on Chapa’s possible conflicts of interest regarding private consulting contracts, including his work on behalf of Texas A&M.

In September, the city authorized project development bonds that will not exceed $18 million. The money to service the debt paid for by the bonds ultimately will be paid by the Texas A&M University System. Also, the city transferred $2.35 million in COVID-19 relief dollars to aid in the construction of the campus.

The $800,000 break for Texas A&M-Fort Worth comes after a wave of recent investment in the university that will anchor a downtown innovation district. In October, the Leo Potishman Foundation pledged $2 million for the downtown university. That was preceded in July by another $2 million gift from the Ryan Foundation; in May, a $10.75 million gift of $5 million in cash and 0.8 of an acre in downtown Fort Worth valued at $5.75 million from the Amon G. Carter Foundation; and in February, a $2.5 million donation supporting engineering programs from the Sid Richardson Foundation.

The Law and Education Building is planned to be complete in 2026.

Disclosure: Texas A&M has been a financial supporter of the Fort Worth Report. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.

Shomial Ahmad is a higher education reporter for the Fort Worth Report, in partnership with Open Campus. Contact her at shomial.ahmad@fortworthreport.org.

The Texas Tribune partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.

Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.

Republishing is free for noncommercial entities. Commercial entities are prohibited without a licensing agreement. Contact us for details.

Fifteen Tarrant County educators are among more than 100 across the state under investigation by the Texas Education Agency for allegedly obtaining their teaching certifications through fraudulent means.

The allegations, spread across six Tarrant County school districts and one charter school, follow a statewide probe into a testing scheme allegedly masterminded by Houston ISD educator Vincent Grayson who, along with four others, is facing charges from Harris County prosecutors for facilitating the scheme.

The operation involved falsifying TEA licensing exams for unqualified candidates, according to Attorney General Ken Paxton. Now, North Texas districts, including Fort Worth ISD and Arlington ISD, are grappling with the fallout.

Arlington ISD has already placed its allegedly uncertified educators on leave, according to the district. International Leadership of Texas, a charter school system, has terminated the contract of one of its employees.

The Report received a list of allegedly uncertified educators from the TEA Dec. 5. Five allegedly uncertified educators were employed by Fort Worth ISD based on 2023-24 financial data, according to the district.

The TEA list named the following Fort Worth ISD educators as having allegedly obtained their certifications through fraudulent means:

“The district takes this matter seriously, is cooperating fully with TEA, and will continue to do so to address this issue thoroughly,” a Fort Worth ISD spokesperson said in a statement.

Fort Worth ISD relies on TEA and the State Board for Educator Certification to oversee certification processes, the district’s statement said.

Hogan works as a resource teacher at Riverside Middle School, according to the school’s website.

Reagor, who was announced in an August Instagram post as an Arlington Heights High School assistant basketball coach, had an active page on X. Reagor often reposted videos of Arlington Heights basketball games on that social media page, which has since been deactivated.

It is unclear whether the Arlington Heights coach was hired before the 2023-24 financial year ended in June. Reagor did not respond to multiple Fort Worth Report requests for comment.

Vaughn recently worked as an assistant coach at Dunbar High School, according to the school’s website.

More information on Bowman-Smith and Regan-Waterford’s employment history with the district was not immediately available.

Arlington ISD immediately placed three employees on leave upon notification from the TEA, according to the district.

“The TEA is conducting a thorough investigation, and the Arlington ISD is fully cooperating and supporting their efforts,” the district said in a statement.

The three educators named from Arlington ISD are:

Bragg serves as a special education specialist and Versey is an assistant football coach at Bowie High School. Martin works as a special education inclusion teacher at Sam Houston High School.

Arlington ISD board members next meet Dec. 12, when trustees could vote to terminate employees’ contracts, according to meeting documents.

Two Crowley ISD educators, two Mansfield ISD educators, one Everman ISD educator and one Eagle Mountain-Saginaw educator were also named by the TEA.

Those educators are:

Green is an assistant football coach at North Crowley High School, according to MaxPreps. Haliburton has worked as a teacher in Crowley ISD, though it’s unclear where she has taught.

Crowley ISD did not respond to a request for comment. Crowley ISD trustees next meet Dec. 12, during which they could vote to terminate any employee contract.

Mansfield ISD confirmed to the TEA that both teachers are current district employees, the district said in a statement.

Mansfield ISD’s Adams has worked as a teacher and assistant basketball coach for the district’s Legacy High School, according to social media posts. Osborne works as a reading and dyslexia specialist at Charlene McKinzey Middle School.

“We are cooperating fully with TEA’s investigation,” the district said. “In addition, MISD is conducting its own investigation into our employees and will take appropriate action.”

At Everman ISD, Hendrix was an educator at Joe Bean High School, according to the district’s 2023-24 annual report. Hendrix was not employed by Everman ISD for this school year, the district told the Report.

Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD has placed its allegedly uncertified educator, Mallet, on leave, the district said in a statement to the Report. EMS ISD is “cooperating fully” with TEA as they investigate, it said.

Mallet is an eighth grade basketball coach at Marine Creek Middle School.

International Leadership of Texas, a public charter school network with six Tarrant County campuses, terminated the contract of the teacher listed by the TEA, a spokesperson told the Report.

The educator named by the TEA was Kawonda Williams, employed at the network’s Arlington campus.

“We are working with TEA and providing them with whatever information they need for their investigation,” Caitlin Madison, the school system’s executive director of communications, said.

As a charter school system, International Leadership of Texas teachers are not required to have a teaching certification, she said.

“But we do require all teachers to have a bachelor’s degree. We also encourage teachers to properly obtain teaching certificates, and support that effort through our own (programs),” Madison said. “Just like ISD’s, our hiring process includes a thorough review of certifications and TEA records.”

When asked about the best general practices for teacher certification, TEA spokesperson Jake Kobersky referred to the agency’s website. The webpage outlines five requirements in becoming a certified teacher in Texas.

Becoming a certified teacher in Texas requires meeting specific qualifications to ensure educators are well-prepared to lead classrooms. The process includes five key steps:

1. Obtain a bachelor’s degree

2. Complete an Educator Preparation Program

3. Pass certification exams

4. Submit a state application

5. Complete fingerprinting

Within Tarrant County, four universities offer bachelor’s degrees in teaching and other subjects, while two separate campuses — Education Service Center Region 11 and the Education Career Alternatives Program — offer educator preparation programs.

While university costs vary, Education Service Center Region 11 and its GoTeach! Program costs prospective educators $5,950. The Education Career Alternatives Program costs $4,300.

Both programs take up to 300 hours of online or in-person training to complete.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated 12/11 to include a response from Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD.

Matthew Sgroi is an education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org or @matthewsgroi1.

At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.

Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.

Republishing is free for noncommercial entities. Commercial entities are prohibited without a licensing agreement. Contact us for details.

Matthew SgroiEducation Reporter

Matthew Sgroi is an education reporter for Fort Worth Report. He can be reached at matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org or (503)-828-4063. Sgroi is a graduate of Texas Christian University and has worked... More by Matthew Sgroi

A divided Fort Worth City Council voted 6-4 to approve a site plan adjustment for Mercy Culture Church’s proposed human trafficking victim shelter.

Mayor Mattie Parker was joined by council members Alan Blaylock, Michael Crain, Macy Hill, Charlie Lauersdorf and Mayor Pro Tem Gyna Bivens in voting to support the project.

Council member Jeanette Martinez, whose district includes the proposed 100-bed shelter at 1701 Oakhurst Scenic Drive, was joined by council members Elizabeth Beck, Carlos Flores, and Chris Nettles in opposition.

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Council member Jared Williams was absent for the vote.

The decision came after more than two hours of testimony where church members and residents from the nearby Oakhurst Neighborhood traded barbs and accusations while debating the merits of the facility.

Supporters of the project argued it w give victims of human trafficking a place to rebuild their lives, while opponents cited issues with traffic, Mercy Culture’s rhetoric, and the center’s location next to a singlefamily neighborhood.

Supporters of Mercy Culture Church accused Oakhurst Neighborhood Association members of lying about the project.

Pastor Les Cody noted that at a recent meeting between the church and Oakhurst residents it was clear that nothing could be done to appease the neighborhood.

Oakhurst residents emphasized their opposition had nothing to do with human trafficking.

They argued the proposed 100-bed shelter would make existing issues around parking and traffic worse, while also citing security concerns about locating the shelter so close to a singlefamily neighborhood.

Several also refuted claims that Mercy Culture had meaningfully engaged with the neighborhood.

Blaine Brewer, who represented a group of residents from Bluebird Avenue in Oakhurst, referenced a May 2023 sermon by Mercy Culture Co-Lead Pastor Landon Schott who called those opposed to the shelter a, “insane demonic resistance,” referring to some residents as demons and warlocks.

None of the residents are demons and warlocks, Brewer said.

“One of my neighbors is kind of unfriendly, but she’s just grumpy,” he said.

Mercy Culture publicizing the location of the shelter also drew concerns from several residents. They argued it would attract traffickers looking to to reclaim victims.

While residents in the Oakhurst neighborhood that borders the proposed shelter have reasonable concerns about density and the project’s impact, federal and state laws governing religious liberty are very clear, Mayor Mattie Parker said.

“Government at any level has no place telling any religious institution how they are permitted to live out their beliefs,” she said.

Parker added that were the city to oppose the zoning change, Mercy Culture would most likely win a prolonged litigation.

She also acknowledged the ill will between residents and the church over the yearslong disagreement about the project.

Parker called on Mercy Culture to make amends with the neighborhood and work to address concerns about safety.

Mercy Culture plans to begin construction as soon as possible, Heather Schott said after the council meeting.

Mercy Culture’s April 2024 filing with a state licensing agency estimated the project will cost $13.2 million to build.

Schott said the church had raised the necessary funds, and was ready to begin construction.

The Justice Reform had roughly $712,000 in assets at the end of 2022, according to publicly available non-profit tax documents. Those assets could have grown in 2023, however, the Justice Reform’s 2023 tax documents were not listed on an Internal Revenue Service website.

HARRISON MANTAS with Fort Worth Star-Telegram

The Texas Rangers aren’t saying if they have the money necessary to participate in what is approaching English Premier League level spending in baseball.

They’re not saying it because, at present, they’re not exactly sure just how much money they have to play with in their efforts to find a bat that does more than fly out to left, two starting pitchers, and at least two relievers.

According to industry professionals aware of the Rangers’ efforts to solve the migraine that is their local TV rights package, they are working on a unique solution that could allow them to do some, maybe not quite all, of what they would like to do during free agency.

Expect the Rangers to inquire about Roki Sasaki, Japan’s latest import who is expected to command $3 trillion as a free agent. Don’t expect them to sign him.

On Wednesday morning, the club re-signed starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi to a three-year contract. He was considered a “mid-tier” free agent. The deal is reportedly worth $75 million total.

The team also announced it acquired infielder Jake Burger from the Miami Marlins in exchange for infielders Max Acosta, Echedry Vargas, and left-handed pitcher Brayan Mendoza. Burger, 28, batted .250 with 29 home runs and 76 RBI over 137 games for Miami in 2024.

The Rangers also signed former Orioles right-handed reliever Jacob Webb on a one-year contract.

Rangers primary owner Ray Davis and ownership are pursuing a TV plan where the team would negotiate individual contracts with providers such as DirecTV, Hulu, Charter, YouTube, et al. The Rangers would effectively create their own regional sports network (RSN), and it would make it much easier for fans to watch their games.

The club’s goal is to broaden local viewership of their regular-season games, while coming as close as possible to their previous annual right’s revenues generated from their collapsed TV deal with Bally Sports. Their original contract with what was then Fox Sports Southwest was in the area of $110 million every year.

Last year, as a band aid deal with Bally Sports, the figure was reduced to $90 million.

The team is now trying to maximize what they can get, which industry experts project to be a bit more than $60 million for the 2025 season.

Amid a litany of problems, including bankruptcy court and a never ending amount of fans who increasingly could not watch Rangers games on their TV because of distribution issues, the Rangers ended their agreement with Bally Sports in October.

At the MLB Winter Meetings at the Anatole Hotel in Dallas on Tuesday, Texas Rangers GM Chris Young did his best to answer whether the Rangers can spend real money on roster improvement. The answer is a solid “YesIshNoMaybeSureNotSoSure.”

“Any GM’s job is to push ownership to put the best team on the field and sometimes that requires to be pushed past a comfort level,” Young said on Tuesday to a small collection of us unfairly attractive members of the local media.

“Wouldn’t it be fun to spend at the very top of the market every year? Absolutely, but that’s not realistic for any general manager.”

Expecting the 2024 team to repeat as World Series champs’ was a bit much, but a sub .500 record is a point of disgust. The Rangers should not have finished with a losing record for the seventh time in the last eight years.

The club’s payroll of $223 million, as reported by USA Today, in 2024 ranked sixth in MLB. It was just a tick under the MLB “luxury tax” threshold of $237 million.

The Rangers have problems, and “cheap” isn’t on the list. After the 2021 season ended, Davis told his management team they had money, and to spend it on players. They did. They won.

With the revenue from their local broadcasting television rights jammed into a blender last year, it did have an effect on the team’s pursuit of solutions, and upgrades, after the World Series parade ended. The spending spigot wasn’t turned to “OFF,” but it slowed.

Since baseball franchises started spending big money on player contracts, beginning in the late 1980s, the Rangers have jumped off and on the spending see-saw. Where they are on that thrill ride is somewhere in the middle.

“It’s need based. There have been economic circumstances that have impacted things to some extent,” Young said. “I can’t make excuses. Where our payroll was last year was an all-time high. We did not get the job done.

“I believe we will have the resources to continue to spend with a market this size. It doesn’t mean we are spending at the top of the market every year but when we need to, we have the access to be able to do that. That’s what our ownership has allowed us to do.”

In this era of MLB, the only “Moneyball” that wins the World Series is actual money. Three of MLB’s “Final Four” 2024 postseason teams - L.A. Dodgers, New York Mets, and New York Yankees - went over the luxury tax threshold. The Mets, Yankees and Dodgers had the three highest payrolls in MLB.

For some clubs, MLB’s “Competitive Balance Tax” is as much of a deterrent as the 65 m.p.h speed limit sign on a West Texas highway. The Mets just handed outfielder Juan Soto a 15-year, $765 million contract.

This is three years after the Rangers signed shortstop Corey Seager to a 10-year, $325 million deal. This is one year after the L.A. Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract.

A father somewhere near Frisco is currently eyeing a 30-year, $5.4 billion deal for his son, who is thriving in tee ball. For a sport that is “dying,” and “nobody watches,” its players, managers and general managers are living the lives of a Saudi prince.

Where does MLB’s continued government-style spending leave the 2023 World Series champs’? They need two starting pitchers, at least a decent bat, and relievers.

Their revamped TV deal should allow them to address some of these needs to their desired level, but probably not quite all.

This story was originally published December 11, 2024, 7:55 AM.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

817-390-7760

Mac Engel is an award-winning columnist who has covered sports since the dawn of man; Cowboys, TCU, Stars, Rangers, Mavericks, etc. Olympics. Movies. Concerts. Books. He combines dry wit with 1st-person reporting to complement an annoying personality.

FORT WORTH — Buzz Williams was a little behind his pregame preparations, so he didn't get a chance to take the floor at Dickies Arena on Sunday until just before tip.

When the Texas A&M coach finally saw the crowd, he had the same thought many of his players and staffers said as they made their way to the court.

"This is a road game for sure," one was heard saying.

Texas Tech basketball fans, always known for their support in the Metroplex area, flooded the Fort Worth arena, outnumbering A&M fans by a wide margin. Whenever an Aggie fan was shown on the jumbotron, Red Raider faithful readily booed them with no exceptions—yes, even children were booed.

A sellout crowd of 12,642 packed the stands to see the Aggies and Red Raiders square off for the first time since 2012. TCU had both its men's and women's teams play games before and after. The women's game featured reigning national champion South Carolina facing the hometown Horned Frogs in a battle of Top 10 teams. That game got a little more than 8,000 fans in the stands.

Texas A&M and Texas Tech, especially in the state of Texas, is a marquee event befitting of a big stage. Aggie players Jace Carter and Zhuric Phelps said they were prepared for it to be a hostile environment despite College Station being two hours closer to Fort Worth than Lubbock.

It was a great environment and wound up being a great game, 24th-ranked Texas A&M holding off Texas Tech 72-67. It was exactly what event organizer US LMB could've hoped for. It was everything good about the sport of college basketball.

But, it should've been in Lubbock.

This isn't sour grapes of making a road trip to see a big-time game. I completely understand how and why the game got flipped from United Supermarkets Arena, as it was originally scheduled to be in this year, to Dickies Arena. Like Williams said after the game, you're not going to turn down $1 million to play some games in Las Vegas. Not in this day and age where every dollar counts.

Williams heavily praised Grant McCasland for his willingness to play ball when Texas A&M agreed to compete in the Players Era Festival, which took away a high-profile home game from Texas Tech and shifted it to a neutral-court affair. The game was still played, which was important for Tech's non-conference schedule. But there's a big difference between Red Raider fans packing an arena in Fort Worth and the 15,000-plus flooding United Supermarkets Arena for a game against an in-state rival.

Don't get it twisted. The atmosphere on Sunday was terrific, but anybody who's been in the USA for a sold-out game knows what I'm talking about. It's not the same thing by any stretch of the imagination. In a dream world, every big game would be a true home or true road setting for both teams, but we have to make do with what we have for now.

Luckily, this game will be played on campus sites moving forward. The originally planned home-and-home series is still on for 2025 and 2026. The Avalanche-Journal has confirmed Lubbock will host the game next year with the Red Raiders headed to College Station in 2026.

Contracts have been drawn up. The only thing to figure out is game dates before they can become finalized.

Texas A&M may have felt like it was a road game on Sunday, but they won't know what that feeling is really like until next year.