Mom’s outrage over proposed Keller ISD split leads to Alliance merchandise for a good cause
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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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Fort Worth mom Michelle Gibson decided to use her concern about a proposed plan to split the Keller school district to create merchandise to help needy kids pay for their school lunches.
Gibson, a graphic designer, said she was “bored” during last week’s snow days and designed caps, mugs, T-shirts and sweatshirts with logos and sayings promoting the nonexistent Alliance school district.
She wanted to use her sense of humor for the good, she said.
“This just took off in the past five days,” Gibson said. “It was a snow day. I was bored. Someone commented that they wanted merch, and it kind of exploded from there.”
A proposed plan calls for the Keller school district to split along the Union Pacific tracks at Denton Highway, the border between Fort Worth and Keller. All schools on Fort Worth’s side of the tracks would be part of the Alliance school district while the remaining campuses in Keller, Southlake and Colleyville would be in the Keller schools. Some parents believe the new district would be named Alliance.
Trustees haven’t given details to the public about the plan, but information is circulating on various social media sites including a parody Facebook page for the as of now nonexistent Alliance school district.
Gibson is selling her Alliance branded merchandise on Etsy.
Some of the items include “cup of rebellion,” T-shirts and sweatshirts that say “Right side of the tracks” and “No hate in 148,” referring to the Watauga ZIP code of 76148.
Gibson said she has gotten over 200 orders and raised more than $1,000 for a fund to help children in the Keller school district who could not afford their lunches. In October, the district began giving alternative meals to students who had balances of more than $25.
“It has just been insane,” she said.
Humor aside, Gibson said she has “serious concerns” about the proposal to split up the school district.
“We’re all pretty upset about it, just the way it has been handled,” Gibson said.
“There are so many factors that go into education. I was a former educator, and so was my husband. If you’re having to do this behind closed doors and not telling the people on something so important, that’s not right.”
This story was originally published January 17, 2025 at 11:35 AM.
