Opponents have started a legal defense fund to fight the plan.
KELLER, Texas — People in Keller are noticing an increasing number of trees adorned with gold ribbons. This initiative is led by parents in Keller ISD, such as Rachael Jenkins, who are opposing a proposal to divide the district.
“The point of putting ribbons on the trees is to show unity for the whole district.” Jenkins said. “Every single high school has gold in their school colors, so all of our high schools are unified by the color gold.”
The Keller ISD School Board is currently considering a plan to split the district along the railroad tracks near U.S. 377, creating two separate districts. This proposal has raised concerns among opponents about potential disparities in resources and educational opportunities between the newly formed districts. In response, students organized a walkout to protest the split. Jenkins believes it should have never come to students sacrificing a school day just to have their voices heard.
“It’s really sad that they had to be involved in something we as adults could have figured out,” Jenkins said.
To combat the proposed division, Cary Moon now chairs the Heritage HOA Legal Task Force. He is a long-time Fort Worth resident and Keller businessman. He has a child who is a junior in Keller ISD.
“The legal task force has been formed to defeat the current measure to split the district,” Moon said.
The task force initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover attorney fees, with donations already surpassing $15,000 toward their $50,000 goal. Several Fort Worth City leaders are listed by name as donors to the fundraiser. Notably, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker contributed $100 to the fund and opposes the split.
“I’m fully supportive of residents and families of Keller ISD, and I think they are wise to hire a well-respected law firm to fight the current moves to split the school district,” Parker said in a statement to WFAA. “While I ultimately can’t control the situation, I will continue to use my voice where I can.”
Keller Mayor Armin Mizani told WFAA that for now, he is undecided about the district splitting in two.
Moon advocates for allowing the community to decide on the proposal through a vote.
“The win would be to defeat the current measure, continue,” Moon said. “Have any conversation that you might have about solving the financial challenges.”
The next Keller ISD Board of Trustees meeting is at 5 p.m. on Feb. 27 in the Rock Gym at the Keller ISD Education Center. Opponents of the proposed split have vowed to show up in full force to continue voicing their concerns. WFAA reached out to Keller ISD for a response to the fundraiser by the Heritage HOA Legal Task Force, but has not received a response.
