The Keller ISD Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is not governed by the district or board, announced it would forego its annual Rooted gala.
KELLER, Texas — As talks of a potential split of the Keller Independent School District continue, there was new fallout on Wednesday.
The Keller ISD Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is not governed by the district or board, announced it would forego its annual Rooted gala.
The event is the organization’s largest fundraiser. Its cancellation comes as the discussion around a district split only grows.
Keller ISD Education Foundation CEO Amanda Migura said the split isn’t the main reason for the cancellation, but said the split has created a lot of uncertainty.
“We decided it’s in the best interest of our community to forego the rooted gala this year,” Migura said in an interview with WFAA. “The split is the reason for a lot of uncertainty… people are just kind of waiting to see what happens. When we stand with an entire district, it just didn’t feel like the right time.”
The foundation, which provides educators in the district with grant funding, receives more than half of its revenue from the gala, according to annual reports.
The Keller ISD Education Foundation has worked in the district over the last 20 years. It provided $102,000 in grant funding during the 2023-2024 school year, according to an annual report.
Migura said the nonprofit’s donors have expressed hesitation due to the proposed split.
“Split or no split, does it change the way we do things? Maybe. But it doesn’t impact our mission or our end goal,” Migura said.
Randy Campbell, who is running to fill Place 1 on the school board, reacted to the gala’s cancellation in a Facebook post. “This is the cost of having a Board of Trustees that has covered themselves in dishonor,” Campbell said in the post.
In an interview with WFAA on Wednesday, Campbell said he was disappointed to learn the nonprofit would forego its gala. Campbell, who has lived in the area for 32 years, said his children graduated from Keller ISD.
“It’s a shame. It shouldn’t happen,” said Campbell. “The Keller ISD education foundation is a wonderful organization that does good work.”
Campbell posted a link to donate to the nonprofit, hoping to encourage the community to support the organization’s mission.
“Let’s all chip in hit the donating button and make this the biggest year ever for the foundation. Even if they don’t have the gala, we can bring in some money for them,” Campbell said. “It’s for the kids. It’s always gotta be about the kids first.”
Migura said the nonprofit is looking for new partnerships in the community to continue bringing in funds to support students and teachers.
“This foundation was created to serve every campus in our district as it stands today, and we remain committed to that,” Migura said. “Nothing can stop us. The fundraising efforts continue.”
Meanwhile, a Fort Worth HOA has formed a legal fund to fight the district’s proposal to split. Members of the Heritage Homeowner’s Association are calling for any proposed split to be put to a public vote.
The next Keller ISD school board meeting is scheduled for February 27th.
