Keller ISD Board Decides Against District Split
Keller, Texas – The Keller Independent School District’s Board of Trustees announced that plans to split the district will not proceed, citing financial concerns and substantial existing debt.
Financial Burden of a Split
In a communication to parents, Board President Dr. Charles Randklev explained that the potential split would lead to a heavier financial strain on the district. He noted, “While the reshaping process is allowed by state law, there are certain obstacles identified during the vetting process that prevent the district from moving forward.”
The district currently carries a debt load of $700 million from previous bond issues. Randklev emphasized that fairly distributing this debt would necessitate tens of millions in additional funding, making an ambitious split impractical at this time.
Dr. Randklev assured parents that the board is dedicated to finding effective solutions to continue supporting the Keller ISD community despite these challenges.
Ongoing Review by the Texas Education Agency
The board’s decision comes shortly after the Texas Education Agency (TEA) revealed it is reviewing complaints related to Keller ISD. While the TEA clarified it is not investigating the district, it acknowledged that splitting is permitted under Texas law.
Concerns regarding district governance have surfaced, primarily focused on a lack of transparency. Parents expressed unease upon learning that a split was being considered by some district leaders.
Changes in Leadership
This announcement follows the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Tracy Johnson in February, who opposed the split. Her resignation took place during a school board meeting and was driven by her disagreements with trustees advocating for the division of the district.
Dr. Cory Wilson has been appointed as the interim superintendent in the wake of Johnson’s departure.
The Situation at Keller ISD
Keller ISD, like many Texas school districts, is facing a significant budget deficit. Unlike other districts implementing layoffs or school closures, some leaders in Keller believed splitting the district could yield financial savings, smaller class sizes, and more personalized student attention.
Randklev indicated that the proposal to “reshape” the district arose due to the continuing underfunding of public education. However, the plan met with mixed reactions, leading to packed school board meetings with parents voicing their opinions earlier this year.
