Keller School District Superintendent Resigns Amid Controversial District Split Proposal
The Keller Independent School District (KISD) trustees finalized Superintendent Tracy Johnson’s exit on Thursday, a month after she spoke out against a proposal to split the district in two. The decision comes as the district faces significant budget challenges and declining enrollment.
At a special meeting, trustees voted 6-0 to accept her resignation, with one board member absent. The details of the separation were not immediately available. Two trustees, Joni Shaw Smith and Chelsea Kelly, expressed their disagreement with the decision, stating that Johnson did not want to leave and that they would honor her request.
"I am just brokenhearted that we are even having this conversation," said Smith, who began to choke up. "This district is in utter chaos. The community is in utter chaos. We are all hurting, and it’s not her that caused it."
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The fact that she was put in a position that she felt was going against her beliefs of what was right and what was good for our students is what led her to this resignation, Smith said.
Johnson did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by phone Thursday.
Trustees named Cory Wilson, assistant superintendent of education services, as interim leader on January 31. The board finalized his terms of employment at Thursday’s meeting. Four trustees voted yes, with Smith and Kelly opposing.
The Search for a New Superintendent
Meanwhile, the search for a new superintendent is underway, according to a district news release.
Background on the Controversial District Split Proposal
When Johnson was named superintendent in December 2023, she became the first woman to lead the Tarrant County district. Her contract was to run through 2027. She was paid at least $275,000 a year.
Her departure comes as trustees consider a controversial proposal to split the 33,000-student district. Keller’s budget challenges are a driving force behind the plan, they said. Across Texas, districts are closing campuses, cutting programs, and tightening other spending as they face rising costs and enrollment declines.
Concerns Surrounding the Proposal
Parents, teachers, and residents have voiced concerns at recent meetings about the lack of transparency, as well as the effect on property values, school funding, building usage, feeder patterns, and more. Students walked out of classes two weeks ago to protest the plan and urge officials to put it to a community vote.
Johnson told trustees at a January meeting that she was prepared to resign over the proposal.
"I don’t agree with this. I don’t think it’s right for kids," Johnson said of the district split. "I don’t know how we do this, … and I’ll be honest, I don’t know that I want to be a part of it."
Reaction from Board Members
Shortly afterward, Board President Charles Randklev called her a fantastic superintendent and praised her work. "I don’t want to see her resign at all," he said. "She’s done a great job."
FAQs
Q: Why did Superintendent Johnson resign?
A: Superintendent Johnson resigned due to her opposition to the proposed district split.
Q: What is the current state of the district?
A: The district is facing significant budget challenges and declining enrollment.
Q: What is the proposed district split plan?
A: The plan would split the district in two, with the majority of top-rated campuses on the east side of Denton Highway and lower-income schools on the west side.
Q: How will the district address the concerns of parents and students?
A: The district has established a task force to address the concerns and is working to provide more information to the community.
Q: What is the timeline for the district split proposal?
A: The district has not released a specific timeline for the proposal, but it is expected to be discussed further in the coming months.
Q: How will the district’s budget be affected by the proposal?
A: The district has projected a budget deficit of over $9 million next year, which could be exacerbated by the split.
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