Community members followed the agenda and took turns speaking at the podium for a few hours. But the assembly swiftly devolved into an unruly, impolitic yelling match. Even her resignation was tendered by the superintendent.
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Community members took turns admonishing the Keller ISD school board during Thursday s meeting over the proposal to split the district.
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At one point, Superintendent Dr. Tracy Johnson became emotional, saying she didn t agree with the split and didn t agree with the way it’s being handled. She told the board she was ready to offer her resignation.
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The board doesn’t plan on taking any action at Thursday’s meeting.
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Community members took turns admonishing the Keller ISD school board during Thursday s meeting over the proposal to split the district.
-
At one point, Superintendent Dr. Tracy Johnson became emotional, saying she didn t agree with the split and didn t agree with the way it’s being handled. She told the board she was ready to offer her resignation.
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The board doesn’t plan on taking any action at Thursday’s meeting.
KELLER, TexasDuring a heated school board meeting, the superintendent of Keller ISD resigned, citing the possibility of dividing the district in two.
The board meeting on Thursday started off as a speaker meeting but soon descended into mayhem.
We know:
At a meeting on Thursday night, over 120 community members, educators, and parents demonstrated against the Keller ISD school board.
No answers were provided, despite the hopes of many.
Although they heard what the community had to say, the trustees only talked about the division in private. They had no intention of doing anything.
Community members followed the agenda and took turns speaking at the podium for a few hours. But the assembly swiftly devolved into an unruly, impolitic yelling match.
Keller ISD Superintendent Offers Resignation
Dr. Tracy Johnson, the superintendent of Keller ISD, broke down in tears and expressed her disapproval of the split and the manner in which it was handled.
She said, “I’ll be honest: I don’t want to be a part of it,” to the board. “I’m ready to submit my resignation letter. I’m not doing it for show; rather, I’m doing it because I’ve worked in education for all children, and I believe that every child has the right to learn and attend Keller ISD.
What they’re saying:
The community is worried that the announcement that the district is thinking of dividing into two distinct districts caught them off guard. They are also concerned that the division will not be fair.
During the public comment period on Thursday, educators and parents shared a common message. They want transparency because they believe this decision is being made behind closed doors.
“You chose to meet in secret, potentially illegally and absolutely in bad faith in what only can be described as a breathing breach of the public trust,” a participant stated.
“You have my vote. I gave you my vote. Another voice declared, “I voted for all of you.” “Your job is to represent all of the students in the district; not just the ones on this side.”
Following each speaker, Charles Randklev, president of the Keller ISD School Board, requested the audience to cease applauding. Randklev and the audience exchanged some back and forth as well.
At one point, the board president demanded an immediate recess, which further intensified the conflict.
For a break, most of the board departed the room. Two board members, nevertheless, remained.
On social media, Joni Smith and Chelsea Kelly have already stated that they were taken by surprise when the proposal was revealed to them in a private meeting back in December.
The opposing viewpoint:
Rrandklev has up until Thursday night blamed the district’s need to be divided in half on financial difficulties.
However, Randklev appeared to shift his stance after facing criticism from Keller’s parents, two board members, and Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker.
According to the board president, Thursday’s meeting was just a conversation and no decisions had been made.
Highlighted
Can Keller ISD really split into 2 school districts?
The notion of dividing Keller ISD into two school districts is being discussed. However, how would that operate, and what actions are required to make it a reality?
The backstory
As parents gradually became aware of the proposed proposal to divide Keller ISD into two distinct districts, rumors began to swirl across Keller, bringing the matter to a boil in recent days.
Parents of Keller ISD contended that the new district would not have access to the more modern facilities because it is located in a less affluent area of the existing school district.
Parents advocated for a public vote and community input on the decision to divide.
Charles Randklev, the president of the Keller ISD school board, is characterizing the division as a “reshaping” of the district.
Next steps:
The board convened executive session immediately after calling a break at 9:30 p.m.
The length of the executive session and whether the board will accept Superintendent Johnson’s offer of resignation are unknown.
The Origin:The agendas of Keller ISD meetings, the board meeting on Thursday night, and earlier FOX 4 coverage are the sources of the information in this report.
