The Keller ISD Board of Trustees is meeting on January 16th
Photo Courtesy of Fox 4
Keller, Texas – The Keller ISD school board is weighing a proposal to split the district into two, sparking division among board members, parents, and local officials. The potential split has garnered attention from Fort Worth Councilman Charlie Lauersdorf and Mayor Mattie Parker, both of whom confirmed the discussion but emphasized that the school board is only considering the feasibility of the idea at this stage.
Lauersdorf stated that the board’s upcoming meeting would focus solely on the feasibility of the split. “(The school board member) told me that the Board is only looking at the feasibility of splitting the district and that the scheduled board meeting was just to discuss the idea,” Lauersdorf said in a statement.
Board members Joni Smith and Chelsea Kelly have publicly opposed the plan. Smith, in particular, expressed her surprise and dismay. “To say that Trustee Kelly and I were blindsided and shocked is an understatement,” Smith said. Kelly added, “I am not okay with this. I am not okay with the way this has been rolled out or that our community has had no input on this idea.”
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker also voiced opposition, stating that she was largely unaware of the details surrounding the proposal, which was briefly mentioned at a city meeting. “I do not support a move to split Keller ISD, which would impact countless students and families,” Parker said. “Ensuring every child has full access to a quality education should be the top priority for all decision makers.”
Keller ISD, which serves over 34,000 students across 42 campuses in Fort Worth and surrounding Tarrant County suburbs, has raised concerns about the potential effects of a split. Two-thirds of Keller ISD campuses are in Fort Worth, and a split could raise numerous questions about district boundaries, property taxes, and how state funding would be divided.
Board President Charles Randklev confirmed that a special executive meeting would take place on January 16 to discuss the “possibility of reshaping” the district. Randklev attributed the discussion to recent state-level decisions impacting school districts. He acknowledged the need for legal analysis and promised that any findings would be shared publicly before a final decision is made.
Parents have also voiced their concerns, particularly over the lack of transparency and public input in the process. Many parents took to social media, calling for more open discussions about the potential split. Some speculated on a new district being created, such as Keller ISD and Alliance ISD, though this remains speculative.
Under Texas Education Code, a district can be split through two processes: one involves a petition from 10% of registered voters in the affected area, which would be submitted to the Tarrant County Commissioner’s Court for approval. If approved, an election would be held, and 25% of registered voters would need to vote in favor for the split to pass. The other process involves the board passing a resolution, though it’s unclear whether this would require approval from the Commissioner’s Court.
The proposal has already sparked a contentious debate, with both board members and parents urging the district to slow down and ensure more public involvement. “I’m not okay with how this process has been handled, with ambiguity and speed,” Smith said. “This is a pivotal moment for Keller ISD.”
Randklev acknowledged the challenges facing school districts across the state, citing issues like campus closures, increased class sizes, and program cuts. “We refuse to accept this as our fate, and we will unapologetically fight for our students and staff,” he said. The board will continue to deliberate on the proposal, with a final decision expected after further discussions.
