A Jan. 30 meeting expected to discuss a potential split of Keller ISD could be further complicated by the possible resignation of Superintendent Tracy Johnson, according to .
The Keller ISD board of trustees will consider and take possible action on a voluntary separation agreement from Johnson during the meeting, according to an agenda posted Jan. 27. After taking possible action on that item, the board will consider naming an interim superintendent, according to the agenda.
Keller ISD did not immediately respond to a Fort Worth Report request for comment on the agenda and Johnson鈥檚 status with the district.
The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Keller ISD Education Center, 350 Keller Parkway.
In a two hours after the agenda was made public, trustee Joni Shaw Smith said she was 鈥� 鈥� blindsided by her fellow board members.
She doubts the separation agreement was made voluntarily, she said. The item was not included in the agenda Smith reviewed with Johnson earlier in the day on Jan. 27.
鈥淚 have been given no information about the reasoning behind this agenda item or any plans for interim leadership,鈥� Smith said.
She firmly supports Johnson as superintendent and will not support a leadership change during the Jan. 30 meeting, she said.
The decision comes as trustees into two separate districts. The plan 鈥� which has drawn significant parent criticism and at least one lawsuit so far 鈥� will be addressed following the possible action taken on Johnson鈥檚 resignation.
During a , Johnson threatened to resign over her frustration with the proposal to split Keller ISD. Johnson in late 2023, becoming the first woman to hold the job after serving nine years with the district.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a huge distraction. A distraction that鈥檚 not needed,鈥� Johnson told trustees at the Jan. 16 meeting. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know how we do this. I鈥檒l be honest, I don鈥檛 know if I want to be a part of it.鈥�
The proposal to split Keller ISD has sparked concerns throughout the district community, as nearly 100 residents spoke during the Jan. 16 meeting. Most opposed the plan, voicing concerns about transparency, equity and potential disruptions to the district鈥檚 educational quality.
Only one resident spoke in favor of the split.
Trustees pledged to post further information regarding the proposal to the district鈥檚 website after the Jan. 16 meeting. Residents expressed still feeling left in the dark a week later.
An open letter circulated by Keller ISD Families for Public Education on Jan. 23 criticized the board鈥檚 follow-through on promises to engage the community meaningfully. Parents called for a dedicated website, a comprehensive financial analysis and clear plans for community input.
鈥淲e need details and real open communication about potential future school closures. If schools are below enrollment and school closures are necessary, we鈥檇 like to know how a district split would change any of that,鈥� the letter said. 鈥淭his process will require time, substantial effort, and extensive community input.鈥�
On Jan. 24, trustees published a 鈥淩eshaping FAQ鈥� to the district鈥檚 website, answering some .
Supporters of the split, including board President Charles Randklev and trustees Micah Young, Chris Coker and Heather Washington, argue that dividing Keller ISD could improve financial stability and preserve 鈥渓ocal control.鈥�
鈥淒ue to a rampant misinformation campaign that began on social media coupled with meeting act requirements, it has been challenging to provide information,鈥� Randklev . 鈥淭he community has been discussing this idea for decades and regardless of this topic the issues facing our district and those across the state remain the same 鈥� insufficient funding, inflation, underfunded mandates and lack of funding for teacher pay.鈥�
Trustees Chelsea Kelly and Smith have , saying they were 鈥渂lindsided鈥� by the split.
In a Jan. 24 Facebook post, Washington said will be given during the Jan. 30 meeting.
These reports, according to Washington and the agenda, are expected to address:
- Projected financial benefits, such as increased per-student funding and reduced recapture payments.
- Plans for equitable distribution of resources, including shared use of facilities like the Keller Center for Advanced Learning.
- Legal and procedural steps required to move the proposal forward.
This story was updated at 9 p.m. Jan. 27 with comments from trustee Joni Shaw Smith.
Matthew Sgroi is an education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org or .
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