Colin Hodges, a sales manager with a bachelor’s degree from Creighton University, is seeking the Place 5 seat on the Keller Independent School District (KISD) Board of Trustees. In a detailed statement posted to his campaign Facebook page, Hodges laid out his priorities for the district’s upcoming challenges, including school consolidations, the $828 million bond package, and the district’s general‑fund budget.
Support for school consolidation
Hodges welcomes the board’s decision to close Bear Creek, Parkwood Hill and Trinity Meadows intermediate schools after the 2026‑27 school year, calling the move a “first step” toward aligning facilities with enrollment trends. He says future decisions should be driven by public enrollment projections, realistic savings after transition costs, and clear assessments of class sizes, transportation logistics and academic programs. Hodges stresses that families deserve meaningful input before any further closures or boundary changes are approved, and that any sale or reuse of district property should involve an independent valuation, public discussion and a demonstrated long‑term benefit to students and taxpayers.
Bond package oversight
The $828 million bond package will be on the ballot for Keller ISD voters. Hodges supports putting the proposals before the electorate and evaluates each item based on demonstrated need, student safety, facility condition and the full cost of borrowing. If voters approve any propositions, he will push for a public project dashboard that tracks original budgets, current spending, schedules and any significant changes. He argues that citizen oversight should have access to meaningful information and that cost overruns must be corrected quickly.
Hodges draws on his municipal‑government acquisition and negotiation experience to scrutinize contracts, question terms and hold district leadership accountable. He says every approved dollar must have a clear purpose and every project needs accountable oversight.
Creative revenue and fiscal prudence
Should voters reject the bond measures, Hodges says he will respect that decision and develop a publicly ranked plan that addresses the most urgent needs first. He emphasizes safety hazards and building failures that interrupt learning as top priorities, recommending a comparison of repairs, replacements and phased work while protecting instructional technology and career programs.
To fund needed projects, Hodges proposes examining available capital funds, verifying savings and limiting reserve use for one‑time needs. He also wants the district to explore creative revenue sources such as grants, business partnerships, facility rentals and naming agreements, noting that he is the only candidate currently discussing these options. He cautions that any new revenue streams must be reliable before being incorporated into the budget.
General‑fund budget shortfall strategy
KISD adopted a nearly balanced $346.1 million general‑fund budget for 2026‑27. If a shortfall arises, Hodges says protecting classroom instruction will be his first priority. He would request a public review of administrative spending, contracts, vacant positions and program effectiveness before considering reductions that directly affect students. Reserves could cover temporary gaps, but recurring expenses require reliable funding sources.
Hodges also plans to work with state leaders to advocate for funding formulas based on student enrollment rather than average daily attendance, while holding district leadership accountable for the dollars already received.
Early literacy focus
Identifying early reading and math proficiency as the district’s most pressing academic challenge, Hodges proposes increasing the percentage of third‑grade students meeting grade‑level reading expectations by at least four percentage points within his first three years. He urges the board to make early literacy a core district priority, set measurable targets and publish regular public progress reports.
He also calls for continued classroom visits by administrators, evidence‑based instruction and support for teachers to ensure high expectations translate into measurable student progress.
Opposition to district split
When Keller ISD debated a 2025 proposal to split the district, Hodges firmly opposed the idea, arguing that the community is stronger together. As a trustee, he would push the board to adopt a resolution opposing any split without a vote of the people and would work with state legislators to secure legal protections guaranteeing voter input.
To rebuild trust across the district, Hodges emphasizes transparent financial information, community meetings in every neighborhood and clear explanations of major decisions. He says every campus deserves fair consideration based on student needs, and that his responsibility is to every student, family and taxpayer in Keller.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
