‘Rumor is true.’ 2 Keller school board members ‘blindsided’ by plan to split district
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Keller ISD controversy
Read our reporting on the possible plan to split Keller ISD into two districts.
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Two Keller school board members issued statements late Thursday afternoon saying that they are opposed to a plan to split the Keller school district.
Chelsea Kelly and Joni Shaw Smith said that they hope the board will “pause” the process to split the district. They urged a transparent approach that includes collaboration and community debate.
“I am not OK with this,” Kelly wrote in the Jan. 9 statement posted on Facebook. “I am not OK with the way this has been rolled out or that our community has had no input on this idea.”
Kelly said the board discussed the plan in one closed meeting, which was the first time they had heard about it.
“The rumor is true,” Shaw Smith wrote in her statement.
Shaw Smith said board President Charles Randklev, Vice-President John Birt and Trustee Micah Young revealed their plan to “detach” a portion of Keller ISD and form a new district on Dec. 19.
“To say that Trustee Kelly and I were blindsided and shocked is an understatement,” Smith said. “An action like this carries significant implications for our community, our schools, and most importantly, our students.”
Fort Worth city council member Charlie Lauersdorf, whose district includes Keller schools, had learned about the proposed split from a board member. Lauersdorf said trustees were trying keep the plan quiet to avoid a public outcry before discussing it.
“I was recently made aware of statements by Trustees Joni Smith and Chelsea Kelly statements regarding the rumored KISD split,” Lauersdorf said. “I applaud them for standing up for what’s right and demanding transparency from their colleagues. This is what true leadership looks like and I’m looking forward to working with them on behalf of all of our students, teachers, staff and families in Keller ISD.”
Keller Mayor Armin Mizani said in a statement that the ultimate responsibility of any school district and trustee is to to provide the best education for all students. Having worked closely with Keller’s school board, Mizani said he had total faith that the trustees were making decisions with the best interests of the students in mind.
“As Mayor to 1 of the 9 municipalities that make up Keller ISD, but more importantly, as a father to children in the district, I look forward to learning more about this potential restructure and what it would mean for students, families, and educators,” he said.
Keller is the fourth-largest school district in Tarrant County, with more than 34,000 students in Keller, Fort Worth, Colleyville, Haltom City, Hurst, North Richland Hills, Southlake, Watauga and Westlake; 27 of its 42 campuses are in Fort Worth.
Parents said in social media posts that they believe the new “Alliance” school district would be west of Denton Highway.
“I am concerned that no public discussions or community engagement have taken place regarding this matter,” Shaw Smith said. “I’ve never had a discussion previously about splitting the district with another board member and, honestly, it was never even a thought that had crossed my mind.
“Decisions of this magnitude require robust debate, community input, and careful consideration.”
Shaw Smith said that when the district takes on a project such as a bond election, it involves careful planning and community involvement.
“This issue demands the same level of attention and care, if not more,” she said.
She called for a task force to “thoroughly examine this proposal, its viability and its implications.”
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said Wednesday that she learned of the split in a city meeting on Tuesday and had not heard from the school district or board members.
“Based on the information I’ve gathered since then, I do not support a move to split Keller ISD, which would impact countless students and families,” she said. “Ensuring every child has full access to a quality education should be the top priority for all decision makers. And like every decision regarding our kids and their education, it’s critical this discussion and process is given extremely careful thought.”
The Star-Telegram has emailed board members, asking them to explain the plan. A special meeting to discuss the split is scheduled for Jan. 16.
This story was originally published January 9, 2025 at 5:35 PM.