Keller, Texas – Andrew Walsh, an engineer and former budget‑committee member, is running for Place 5 on the Keller Independent School District (KISD) Board of Trustees. Walsh’s platform focuses on responsible budgeting, support for the district’s $828 million bond package, and a data‑driven approach to academic improvement.
Consolidation and Community Input
Walsh supports the district’s decision to close Bear Creek, Parkwood Hill and Trinity Meadows intermediate schools after the 2026‑27 school year. He says the closures are driven by declining enrollment and unfunded mandates from the Texas Legislature, not political motives. “I hate it, but I also accept it,” Walsh said, noting that his own three boys attend Parkwood Hill and will be affected.
He urges the board to keep the community‑led Long Range Planning Committee in place on a permanent basis, with rotating membership each year, to ensure transparent decision‑making on future school closures, attendance‑boundary changes, and use of district property.
Bond Package Support
Walsh backs all propositions in the $828 million bond package, describing them as essential for students and property values. He points to a seven‑year gap since the last bond, noting critical infrastructure problems: a closed natatorium, failing air‑conditioning units, and widespread roof leaks.
He warns that “band‑aid” solutions like portable coolers cost about $500 per week and drain the teacher salary fund (M&O), exacerbating teacher‑retention challenges. Walsh praises the Citizens Bond Advisory Committee, which spent over 1,000 man‑hours reviewing projects and required a two‑thirds supermajority for inclusion. He says the bond’s size was limited to fit within the current tax rate.
If approved, Walsh says the board must prioritize projects, oversee planning and execution, and create a Citizens Bond Oversight Committee for ongoing community input. If the bond fails, he warns that emergency repairs will fall on the teacher salary fund and the district’s modest “rainy‑day” reserve, potentially forcing a new bond effort in the next election cycle.
Fiscal Responsibility
Walsh highlights KISD’s nearly balanced $346.1 million general‑fund budget for 2026‑27. He emphasizes avoiding deficits by predicting costs and managing spending proactively. As an engineer and program manager who has overseen multimillion‑dollar projects, Walsh promises to apply his analytical skills to keep the district on a fiscally responsible trajectory.
He notes that the most likely shortfalls would stem from failed bond propositions, which would leave the district scrambling for emergency capital repairs, such as the recent $2 million natatorium expense drawn from the rainy‑day fund.
Academic Focus: Seventh‑Grade Math
Walsh plans to scrutinize STAAR results, where KISD generally outperforms Texas averages but falls short in fourth‑grade math, seventh‑grade math and reading, and eighth‑grade science. He will concentrate on seventh‑grade math, where the district has missed “Meets Grade Level or Above” and “Masters Grade Level” benchmarks for two consecutive years.
He acknowledges that the district’s sixth‑ and eighth‑grade math scores exceed state averages, suggesting the seventh‑grade dip may be an anomaly. Walsh intends to gather more data, consult administrators and teachers, and determine whether targeted interventions are needed.
Opposition to District Split
Walsh firmly opposes any proposal to split Keller ISD, arguing that a unified district provides stronger negotiating power for service contracts, avoids duplicated administrative costs, and preserves equitable resources for all students. He says the 2025 split attempt created a “major rift” in the community and that staying together is the best path forward.
Overall, Walsh promises to bring engineering‑level problem solving, transparent community engagement, and a commitment to both fiscal health and academic excellence to the Keller ISD Board of Trustees.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
