Keller ISD trustees on Monday named Chief Human Resources Officer Tracy Johnson as the lone finalist to be the district鈥檚 next superintendent.
Johnson has worked in education for more than two decades and has held her current job since 2019.
Keller ISD board president Charles Randklev called Johnson 鈥渢he best choice鈥� for the district because she鈥檚 鈥渄eeply rooted in our community. She is committed to academic excellence.鈥�
She鈥檒l replace interim Superintendent John Allison, who has served in the role since July following the retirement of former Superintendent Rick Westfall.
Johnson began her education career teaching 3rd grade in Northwest ISD, then moved to administration in Grapevine-Colleyville, Keller, Denton, and back to Keller, according to a statement from Keller ISD.
Johnson鈥檚 not only taught in North Texas districts, but she was also educated here, earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Texas Woman鈥檚 University, and a master's and PhD from the University of North Texas.
With her husband, retired Keller ISD teacher and administrator Harold Johnson, the couple has two daughters and a granddaughter.
Johnson she is humbled, honored, and thankful to the Keller ISD board for being chosen as the district鈥檚 lone superintendent finalist.
鈥淓nsuring every student receives the best educational experience possible has served as my top priority and focus throughout my educational career,鈥� she said.
Even if this transition to the district鈥檚 top post seems smooth, Johnson faces some tough tasks on several fronts once she officially takes over.
Keller ISD鈥檚 facing a $27 million budget shortfall in the upcoming school year, and board members voted to withhold next year鈥檚 recapture payment to the state. And those are just some of the political and financial issues.
When it comes to kids and parents, the district has also in recent years enacted some of the most conservative book restrictions and passed policies targeting LGBTQ students.
Under Texas law, the district and Johnson must now wait 21 days before she can be officially be named the next superintendent. She鈥檚 expected to tentatively begin the job full-time January 2, 2024.
