Bravo to these Tarrant leaders standing for voters on Keller ISD. Where are the rest? | Opinion

The baffling debate over whether to divide the Keller school district in two provides a chance for some local leaders to step forward on behalf of voters. Some have done so admirably, even taking political risks when they could have stood back.

The majority on Keller’s school board that hatched the plan in secret is, at best, driving an ill-considered plan that has little chance of addressing the concerns that supposedly prompted it, including reduced funding. At worst, these members are dividing the community, working largely in secret, attempting to sidestep voters and refusing to clearly answer questions or offer sound reasoning for a significant change.

Others deserve credit for their leadership, and some local elected officials still have a chance to do the right thing. Here’s a look at a few on both sides.

FORT WORTH MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER ON KELLER ISD SPLIT

Two Fort Worth politicians deserve credit for alerting the public when the proposal was still largely under wraps. City Council member Charlie Lauersdorf, whose north Fort Worth district includes schools in the Keller ISD, revealed that the discussion was under way. He criticized the district’s “ambiguity” and pledged to demand transparency in the decision-making process.

Mayor Mattie Parker went further, opposing the split outright and insisting that voters be allowed to weigh in.

This is an important point: Part of the effort to divide the district includes a novel legal theory that a school district can “detach” from another merely by a vote of the school board and certification by county commissioners. It’s a new interpretation of an old law that has long been assumed to require an election. It’s hard to believe that lawmakers in a state where officials at nearly all levels are elected meant to change the law to no longer require an election.

Even if that bizarre idea should prevail, it’s the wrong way to make such a change.

Two of Tarrant County’s most conservative representatives in Austin have also stepped up on behalf of voters. Rep. David Lowe, a Republican whose district includes portions of Watauga that fall in Keller ISD, said he would introduce legislation to require an election and remove the county Commissioners Court from the process.

Fort Worth Rep. Nate Schatzline, who represents much of the population that would be split into a new school district, went further, saying he opposed splitting the school district. Like Lowe, Schatzline is a favorite of the staunch social-conservative base of the local GOP. Their support overlaps with many far-right types in Keller who are pushing the detachment. The lawmakers deserve credit for sticking their political necks out.

Two members of the Commissioners Court are also taking up the voters’ mantle, even though the controversy is outside their precincts. Democrat Alisa Simmons, who represents Arlington, Kennedale and Mansfield, spoke at a recent Keller board meeting to urge that an election be called because it appears a majority opposes the split.

Commissioner Manny Ramirez, a Republican whose precinct is in northwest Tarrant County, has also been steadfast on the need for an election. If a decision falls to commissioners, he could be a decisive swing vote.

EYES TURN TO COUNTY JUDGE O’HARE, COMMISSIONER KRAUSE

Two of the remaining court members can exert considerable influence on the Keller decision.

Republican Commissioner Matt Krause, whose precinct includes Keller ISD, has said that the law as written allows for the district to divide without an election. We disagree with his reading of state statute, and if Krause, a lawyer and a former state representative, insisted an election was necessary even if not mandatory, that would go a long way.

County Judge Tim O’Hare, a Republican whose base of power is in northeast Tarrant County, has been uncharacteristically quiet about the Keller matter. Like Lowe and Schatzline, he should consider the views of all his constituents, not just those pushing for the breakup. At a minimum, O’Hare should insist that voters be given a say.

The Keller ISD split sometimes seems to be barreling along despite the objections, concerns and unanswered questions. Some Tarrant County leaders have done their best to stand up to what appears to be driven by a minority in the Keller school district. All should be doing their part to ensure, if nothing else, that the will of the people prevails.