Former Keller ISD superintendent will be paid for full year, work 3 months
Former Keller Superintendent Tracy Johnson, who voluntarily resigned her position effective Jan. 31, will advise the school board and interim superintendent Cory Wilson through March 31.
After that, she will remain a paid employee of the district, but “shall have no duties or requirement to remain available.” Johnson is also free to live outside the district and accept other employment during her term as superintendent emeritus, which runs through the end of the year, according to her separation agreement obtained by the Star-Telegram through an open records request.
In return, Johnson agreed not to speak out against or “disparage” any current or past Keller district employee, board member or attorney, nor will she speak against the district itself. She also agreed to cooperate with any litigation that arises as a result of acts that occurred during her tenure.
While on the payroll, Johnson will report to school board president Charles Randklev. She will continue receiving her $275,000 annual salary and benefits through Dec. 31. In addition to her salary, in February Johnson received $124,400 for unused sick leave and vacation time and a lump-sum payment of $49,105 as part of her separation agreement.
Johnson, whose contract with the school district began in December 2023 and was set to run through 2027, stepped down in January due to a disagreement with school board members over a proposal to split the Keller school district in half. The plan has been met with widespread public criticism.
Johnson confirmed her acceptance of the separation agreement in a letter dated Jan. 31. In that letter, she said serving the Keller school district was her “greatest pleasure,” and she expressed pride in the work she and her team did to eliminate $48 million in expenses from the district’s budget. Keller has a $35 million shortfall in its general fund and expects to be $9.4 million over budget for the 2025-26 school year unless further cuts are made.
In a separate statement, Keller’s board of trustees thanked Johnson for her fiscal leadership and for her leadership in implementing a student cell phone ban during school hours as well as bringing armed security to elementary and intermediate campuses.
Interim superintendent to receive stipend
On top of his existing annual salary, interim superintendent Cory Wilson will receive a monthly stipend of $7,500. That number was originally $9,600 a month but was reduced.
This story was originally published March 10, 2025 at 12:07 PM.