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Residents press Keller ISD trustees on transportation costs, TAD fees and district unity
Summary
During public comment at the May 15 Keller ISD board meeting, speakers urged the district to rebid transportation, asked for changes to Tarrant Appraisal District fee allocations, asked for unity after detachment discussions and pressed for clarity on dual‑credit agreements.
KELLER, Texas — Eleven members of the public spoke at Keller ISD’s May 15 board meeting, pressing trustees on transportation contracting costs, Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) fee allocations, and recent controversy over a proposed district detachment.
Rebecca Syslo, who identified herself at the podium, called for the district to rebid its transportation contract and to push other local school districts to demand changes to TAD’s fee methodology. "I was stunned to learn that the FY25 budget was $16,000,000 considering all I see in my neighborhood are smiley transportation vans," Syslo said, and added that Keller’s contract costs have risen by about $6 million since 2020, according to her calculation.
Syslo also urged Keller ISD to seek reform of TAD’s fee allocation, saying her review of the TAD budget shows school districts paying a disproportionate share of the appraisal district’s operating budget. The district and CFO John Allison responded with operational context during the budget presentation about how transportation and contract fees affect monthly snapshots of expenses, but no action to rebid was recorded that evening.
Several public commenters asked the board to pursue unity after months of contentious debate over district division and governance. One audience member said the prior board had pursued a split "without a public referendum" and called for resignations; trustees later voted 7–0 on a resolution stating the board will not initiate the creation of a new independent school district by detachment under Texas Education Code §13.103.
Other speakers raised education policy concerns: a parent urged the board to clarify the status of the MOU with Tarrant County College to protect dual‑credit tuition access; another asked the board to reexamine truancy tribunal language and seek restorative alternatives for families. Trustees and administrators acknowledged the concerns and said staff would follow up or that specific items were already under review.
What’s next: The board recorded no immediate motions to rebid transportation or to change the TAD appointment process; trustees did adopt a formal resolution opposing detachment. Several speakers asked the board to form a unity committee and to improve communication on dual‑credit arrangements and services for vulnerable student groups.
