Keller school board names interim leader, delays vote on superintendent’s resignation
The Keller school board named an interim leader early Jan. 31 without voting on a motion to accept the resignation of Superintendent Tracy Johnson.
With five votes in favor and two abstentions, the board named Cory Wilson, the assistant superintendent of educational services, the interim superintendent.
The nomination came at 12:23 a.m., at the tail end of a marathon school board meeting during which trustees presented a financial report regarding a proposal to split the district, and Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons express her opposition to the split going through without a public referendum.
Johnson did not attend the meeting. She cleared her office out earlier in the week, according to a school board member.
In a teary confession at a Jan. 16 special meeting, Johnson shocked attendees when she said she had already written her letter of resignation and would possibly submit it that night pending discussion of the split during the executive session.
She did not resign that night, but the agenda for Thursday’s meeting included an item to consider and take possible action on her resignation, as well as one to nominate an interim superintendent. The board did not take action on Johnson because it is still discussing legal matters regarding her departure, according to board member Chris Coker.
Who is Cory Wilson, who the Keller school board named as interim superintendent?
“Doctor Wilson brings 27 years of experience in education, 22 of those years spent in Keller ISD,” school board president Charles Randklev said. “I appreciate Dr. Wilson’s willingness to lead the district during this transition.”
Wilson began his teaching career in 2002 at Parkwood Hill Intermediate School before moving into the school’s administration, Randklev said. He later moved to district administration.
“Dr Wilson’s knowledge of Keller ISD and his commitments to its students will provide valuable stability during this transition,” Randklev said.
The two abstentions came from trustees Joni Shaw Smith and Chelsea Kelly, both of whom have opposed what they have called a lack of transparency by others on the board regarding the proposal to split the district.
After an executive session lasting nearly an hour and a half, all board members but Smith returned to the dais. After waiting for about five minutes, Kelly left her seat, saying something to Randklev on her way past him before leaving the auditorium.
Randklev left after a few minutes, and all three returned a few minutes after that.
How long did Johnson serve as Keller schools superintendent?
Johnson started as superintendent on Jan. 1, 2024, and her term was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2027. She earned an annual salary of $275,000.
During that time, she steered the district through massive budget shortfalls, coming up with $45 million in budget cuts in that time, Trustee Heather Washington said at the Jan. 16 meeting.
“That is phenomenal,” Washington said.
Before becoming the first woman to serve the district, Johnson was chief human resources officer for over four years. She started her career in education in Northwest school district, where she taught third grade and gifted and talented students.
The move to administration took her to the Grapevine-Colleyville school district, and she has also worked in human resources in the Denton school district.
Trustees did not discuss a severance package. The Star-Telegram has requested her separation agreement.
Johnson earned her undergraduate degree from Texas Women’s University, and holds master’s and doctorate from the University of North Texas.
Staff writer Matt Adams contributed to this report.
This story was originally published January 31, 2025 at 12:54 AM.
