Did conviction on Keller ISD split earn this incumbent a full turn? | Opinion
Place 3 incumbent Chelsea Kelly has been on the Keller school board only since August, an appointee of board President Charles Randklev. She said she now believes she was recruited with the expectation she would follow his lead, even if that meant splitting the school district.
Yet within a few months, Kelly distinguished herself through her commitment to leadership and accountability, demanding her colleagues apologize for their role in the split and showing an ear for the needs of her constituents. Despite once being a passionate Randklev ally, Kelly called for him to be replaced in our interview.
We also like that the 40-year-old wine cellar designer provides valuable geographical representation for the Fort Worth slice of the Keller district map, no small matter considering concerns from parents residing in her side of the district who would have been cut off from Keller’s higher-performing schools had the split succeeded.
Randklev has since pivoted to endorsing Nikki Paris, who did not respond to our interview request. A third candidate, Ed Duncan, could not attend. Phil Perez, originally on the ballot, told the Star-Telegram he dropped out of the race, citing a potential conflict of interest.
Keller ISD covers the entire city of Keller along, pieces of surrounding suburbs as well as north Fort Worth. School board members are elected to three-year terms. Keller does not have runoffs; the top vote-getter will win the election. Members are elected at-large and represent the entire district.
Early voting starts April 22 and Election Day is May 3.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHey, who is behind these endorsements?
Members of the Editorial Board, which serves as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s institutional voice, decide candidates and positions to recommend to voters. The members of the board are: Cynthia M. Allen, columnist; Steve Coffman, editor and president; Bradford William Davis, columnist and editorial writer; Bud Kennedy, columnist; and Ryan J. Rusak, opinion editor.
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How does the process work?
The Editorial Board interviews candidates, asking about positions on issues, experience and qualifications, and how they would approach holding the office for which they are running. Board members do additional research on candidates’ backgrounds and the issues at hand. After that, members discuss the candidates and generally aim to arrive at a consensus, though not necessarily unanimity. All members contribute observations and ideas, so the resulting editorials represent the board’s view, not a particular writer.
How do partisanship and ideology factor in?
We’re not tied to one party or the other, and our positions on issues range across the ideological spectrum. We tend to prefer candidates who align with our previously stated positions, but qualifications, temperament and experience are important, too.