Tracy Johnson did not want to be part of that would split Keller ISD in two.
Now, she won鈥檛 have to be.
Johnson exited her role as Keller ISD superintendent after spending just more than a year in the job. She was not present at the Jan. 30 meeting. Her name plate was not in its usual spot on the dais.
After hours in executive session, trustees did not approve a voluntary separation agreement between Johnson and the district. Board President Charles Randklev said the vote would take place at a later date.
But, in the early hours of Jan. 31, the board appointed an interim superintendent: Cory Wilson, the district鈥檚 assistant superintendent of educational services. His appointment was approved 5-0, with trustees Joni Shaw Smith and Chelsea Kelly abstaining.
Wilson has spent 22 years as an educator in Keller ISD, first as a teacher, then an assistant principal at Bette Perot Elementary. He then helped open Ridgeview Elementary in 2011 as principal.
Johnson鈥檚 exit follows weeks of turmoil. Parents protested. Trustees clashed. The community demanded answers over a board proposal Johnson said .
Now, Keller ISD is without a permanent leader as trustees and residents continue to debate the merits of dividing the district. During the meeting, trustees were critical of previous budgeting by administrators and board members.
The presentations painted a picture of a district in financial crisis 鈥� one that could be aided by a future split and improved financial management, according to some trustees. About 120 speakers appeared Thursday night to oppose it and call for transparency, with nearly 30 others supporting the proposal.
Before residents walked in the door, Johnson鈥檚 fate was .
Her departure marks the second superintendent change in just over a year for Keller ISD. Prior to Johnson鈥檚 tenure, former Superintendent Rick Westfall retired after serving as the district鈥檚 head for six years.
Johnson鈥檚 contract, which was set to expire Dec. 31, 2027, for her departure.
If Johnson and the board reach a mutual separation agreement, that allows each party to negotiate financial terms 鈥� and any possible buyout.
Additionally, her contract entitles her to payment for unused vacation and leave 鈥� up to 50 days at her daily rate of about $1,217 鈥� which could add up to $60,863 to her payout, according to a Fort Worth Report analysis. The district may also have to honor her retirement contributions, according to the contract.
Parents and Keller ISD residents blamed a board that they believe to be overexerting its power for the superintendent turnover. As a majority of trustees push to pursue a district split, most residents who spoke at the Jan. 30 meeting were opposed to the potential proposal.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the administration and Dr. Johnson鈥檚 job to run the school district, and the board鈥檚 job is oversight on behalf of the citizens,鈥� Keller ISD resident Matthew Mucker 鈥� who recently filed a lawsuit accusing the board of violating open meetings law 鈥� told the Report. 鈥淚t appears to me that those roles may have been flipped.鈥�
Trustees are chasing away someone who truly cared about the district and its students, some parents said during the meeting. Johnson joined Keller ISD as the coordinator of advanced academics before a brief stint at Denton ISD. She returned to Keller ISD in 2019 as the executive director of human resources, taking the district鈥檚 top job in late 2023.
鈥淭he likely forced resignation of Superintendent Tracy Johnson is a continued attack on this community by the board of trustees,鈥� Lindsey Carlegis, a former president of the Park Glen Elementary PTA, told trustees. 鈥淲hen our campuses need stability and leadership, you seek to further destabilize the district in your quest for total control.鈥�
Johnson led district through debates over play, motel and budget deficit
Throughout her brief tenure as superintendent, Johnson 鈥� the first female leader in Keller ISD鈥檚 history 鈥� led the district through heated times.
In February 2024, Basswood Elementary School became the when Fort Worth officials approved the construction of a Studio 6 extended-stay motel adjacent to the school.
Johnson announced that the district would seek legal counsel to explore options to halt the project amid parent opposition. Two months later, the district for $3.2 million. By August, Fort Worth had proposed new zoning rules to prevent similar developments near educational institutions. Later, the city near Basswood so it could not be developed for industrial or motel uses.
Johnson also oversaw over Timber Creek High School鈥檚 performance of the LGBTQ-focused play 鈥淭he Laramie Project,鈥� which was initially halted. That decision was by Johnson and Keller ISD administration following community feedback.
Beyond handling controversies, Johnson played a key role in overseeing the district鈥檚 for the 2024-25 school year. During a board meeting in June 2024, Johnson told trustees that administrators were able to address a $27 million budget shortfall without having to close schools or hold a formal reduction in force.
鈥淏ut we had to look at efficiencies and make some difficult decisions along the way,鈥� she said, including the into the Keller Center for Advanced Learning and to administrative offices and district librarians.
And at the district鈥檚 , Johnson made her point known. She did not want her legacy to be tied to a district split.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a huge distraction. A distraction that鈥檚 not needed,鈥� Johnson said. 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�
Matthew Sgroi is an education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org or .
