The Keller ISD Split: A Deep Dive into the Truth, the Questions, and the Consequences

by Chandler Crouch

Remarks in Red by Chris Coker (KISD Trustee)

At 8 a.m. on January 9, my plane touched down after a mission trip to Nepal. Groggy from jet lag and uncertain what day it even was, I did what anyone does after being unplugged: I opened Facebook to catch up.

And there it was.

Rumors were flying... Claims of a secret plan to split Keller ISD, something about railroad tracks dividing the district, and whispers that the school board was moving forward without public input. None of it made sense.

At first, I brushed it off. Surely, once I got some sleep, it would make more sense.

Nope. It only got worse.

After the January 16 board meeting, the flood of information that followed made one thing clear—too many of those rumors had at least some basis in reality. Taxpayers inside Keller ISD were demanding answers, desperate to be heard, and trying to figure out how something this big could be happening with so little public discussion and so few answers.

I started getting phone calls. People were asking if I had any idea what was going on.

The frustration in the community hit me hard. I know what it feels like to be at the mercy of a government that doesn’t seem to be listening. Over the years, I’ve fought my own battles with local government. I’ve come to love this community, and I couldn’t just sit back and watch as people struggled to get the truth.

I also had a unique advantage, including connections with some of the key people involved, thanks to my past work on local government issues. And I had an incredible team of trained staff and real estate experts who could help with research.

So, I jumped in.

My Goals:

Give a voice to the people.
Provide clear, fact-based answers.
Help find solutions, not just point out problems.

How I Investigated This Issue

To separate fact from fiction, I went all in... Our company represents thousands of clients in Keller ISD, so I invited them to participate in a district-wide poll. To ensure accuracy, I had multiple PhD statisticians verify the results. I also interviewed practically everybody involved. All KISD trustees (except 1), including a 3-hour meeting with President Randklev, KISD board attorney Tim Davis, lawsuit plaintiffs, activists, and everybody in between. Finally, I conducted an in-depth analysis on how a school district split might affect property values.

I dove deep. Grab some coffee... This is what my team put together:

Final Thought

I want the best outcome for students, teachers, taxpayers, and our community. If the Keller ISD split is truly the best option, the facts will support it. If not, we deserve to know the truth.

Thank you for taking the time to put this report together—I truly appreciate the effort. I only wish more people would invest the same energy into understanding what’s actually happening, separating fact from fiction—especially given how much misinformation circulates on social media.

I responded in the areas I felt were particularly noteworthy. It’s also important to recognize that the board didn’t have the luxury of diving deeply into the data, largely because there was never a formal board action or discussion on the matter. Without that, we weren’t in a position to thoroughly explore the details or present anything of strong relevance. That said, the bond data we were able to access made it clear that this path was a dead end. I’m thankful Dr. Wilson was able to provide us with the critical information we needed.

In a perfect world, this process wouldn’t have been so dramatic—but unfortunately, some in the community, including a few board members, seem more focused on stirring controversy than seeking solutions.

At the end of the day, I’m grateful for those who choose truth over drama. Thank you again for letting me engage with your report.

Enjoy these graphics below.

East vs West Comparison

Download Pic: KISD Property Values