Fort Worth ISD Seeks Window Renovation Approval
The district's plan for the former De Zavala Elementary building was pushed to November for more detail.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Administration
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Fort Worth ISD sought Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission approval to renovate the former De Zavala Elementary building, which now houses Daggett Montessori. The commission pushed the case to November over a lack of details about the window renovations.
Why it matters
The building sits in both the Fort Worth Historic Cultural District and a national register historic district, so exterior changes require commission review. The delay shows how window work on protected properties can slow school facility projects.
The proposal includes new windows, a new roof and two small additions to the Fairmount building, which is in a historic district. The commission has not yet decided on the window replacement, which was pushed to November pending more detail.
The players
Fort Worth Independent School District
The public school district that owns the former De Zavala Elementary building and sought approval for its renovation.
Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission
The Fort Worth city body that reviews exterior changes to properties within the city's historic districts and pushed the case to November.
The details
Fort Worth ISD sought commission approval to remove nonhistoric windows and install new ones, with aluminum exteriors and wood interiors. Daggett Montessori, a kindergarten through eighth-grade school, moved into the early 1900s De Zavala building in May.
Timeline
May: Daggett Montessori moved into the De Zavala building.
Oct. 12: The renovation case was introduced at the Landmarks Commission meeting.
November: The commission's further consideration of the case is due.
Season Trajectory
The case falls under the Fort Worth Historic Cultural District's review rules, which require commission approval for exterior changes to protected buildings. Commissioners' decision to push the window question to November follows the same review pattern applied to other properties in the district.
Families with children at Daggett Montessori may see renovation work on the building once the commission approves the window plans. Residents near the Fairmount area should expect exterior changes to the historic building after review.
The takeaway
Projects on historic school buildings can face extra review that adds time before work begins. Parents and neighbors who want to follow the outcome can track the commission's November agenda.
What happens next
The Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission is expected to take up the renovation case again in November.
Further reading
For more on how school districts manage facilities, see Administration coverage in Fort Worth.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fort Worth Report.
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