A Fort Worth parent was removed from a district community meeting on Tuesday after using profanity and disrupting proceedings, according to a statement from the Fort Worth Independent School District.
Daniel Woolford attended the gathering at Lily B. Clayton Elementary School expecting to speak with Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata and district leadership about concerns regarding the state takeover and instructional changes. He stated he wanted to address what he described as excessive reliance on PowerPoint presentations for kindergarteners in dual language programs.
Woolford told WFAA that he used the word "fuck" once during his comments. Video footage of the incident shows Superintendent Licata gesturing toward Woolford. Another recording captures police officers escorting him from the room.
A district spokesperson confirmed the removal, stating, "A parent was asked to leave the community meeting because he was disrupting the meeting, including the use of profanity." The agenda for the event did not include a formal dialogue session with administrators, though it featured interactive exercises for attendees.
Other parents present offered mixed reactions to the incident. Jessica Morrison, who attended the meeting, praised Woolford as an asset to the community and encouraged continued parental advocacy. She highlighted her personal connection to the school, noting she moved her family back to the neighborhood so her children could attend Lily B. Clayton.
Zach Leonard, vice president of advocacy for the Fort Worth Council of PTAs, also witnessed the disruption. While he expressed dislike for the removal, he emphasized that the PTA council is focused on broader educational priorities. The group has developed a resolution urging the district to prioritize holistic child development over standardized testing metrics.
