Geramie Parrish, a sales manager with a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas, is running for Place 4 on the Keller Independent School District (KISD) Board of Trustees. In her candidacy statement, Parrish stresses that the district must confront declining enrollment, responsible bond spending, and academic performance with clear, data‑based policies.

School‑Consolidation and Facility Planning

KISD has approved the closure of Bear Creek, Parkwood Hill and Trinity Meadows intermediate schools after the 2026‑27 school year, citing a projected 25 % decline in enrollment and funding over the next decade. Parrish argues that consolidation is fiscally necessary and that the board must act proactively rather than reactively. She warns against “waiting too long” and urges that any future decisions be based on enrollment trends, campus condition, and geography—not on the loudest complaints after maps are drawn.

Bond Package Stance

The district is asking voters to approve an $828 million bond package, which, with interest, will cost nearly $1.5 billion over time. Parrish is not opposed to bonds in principle, but she opposes the package as currently written.

• Proposition A ( $756.3 million ) – Oppose. Ties roofs, HVAC, plumbing and safety work to a larger renovation list that could lock the district into debt for campuses that may later be closed.
• Proposition B ( $28 million ) – Oppose. Funding for device replacement should come from the operating budget, not a 20‑year note.
• Proposition C – Support. Finish the natatorium’s filtration, dehumidifier and HVAC work so the facility can reopen.
• Proposition D – Support. Upgrade the Keller ISD Athletic Complex, which serves all four high schools, to replace worn‑out locker rooms and field‑house components.
• Proposition E – Support. Install turf at middle‑school competition fields and high‑school baseball/softball fields, citing safety, playability and personal experience as a former KYA participant.

If voters approve the bond, Parrish says the money must be treated as borrowed, with a public project list, no silent scope creep, and regular cost‑and‑schedule reporting. If any propositions fail, she would propose a smaller facilities package focused on critical systems and safety, while keeping device funding in the operating budget.

Addressing a Potential Budget Shortfall

KISD’s 2026‑27 general fund budget is nearly balanced at $346.1 million, but a shortfall could arise. Parrish’s approach includes:

• Requiring a line‑item gap analysis from Central Administration to identify fixed versus discretionary costs.
• Protecting classroom essentials—teachers, safety, core instruction—while targeting cuts to administration, contracts, travel, consultants, vacant positions and non‑essential programs.
• Using fund balances only as a temporary bridge with a written replenishment plan.
• Challenging the state’s recapture formula and taking the fight to Austin rather than passing the loss onto taxpayers.
• Considering a tax‑rate increase only as a last resort after all other options are exhausted.

Academic Focus: Middle‑School Mathematics

Parrish identifies middle‑grade math as KISD’s most pressing academic challenge. District‑wide, about 66 % of students meet grade‑level expectations in reading, but only 54 % do so in math. She proposes a measurable goal: raise the percentage of students meeting or exceeding STAAR Math standards from 54 % to at least 60 % during her term.

To achieve this, Parrish would require the superintendent to embed the math target in the District Improvement Plan, establish a mid‑year checkpoint, and publish campus‑by‑campus progress reports. She stresses that the board should fund proven interventions and discontinue ineffective programs, adjusting the plan if data do not move in the right direction.

Trust and Community Unity

In 2025, KISD considered a split that would have divided neighborhoods and tax bases. Parrish opposed the proposal from the start, testifying at a board meeting and arguing that the split would have created inequities. The community rejected the split, but Parrish says trust must be rebuilt through transparency, consistent communication and genuine engagement with families across all feeder patterns.

Her three‑step trust‑building plan includes publishing enrollment and financial data in plain language on the district website, holding regular town‑hall meetings in both the Keller Central and Fossil Ridge areas, and ensuring board decisions are made with full public input rather than behind closed doors.

Parrish’s campaign contact information: email [email protected], website parrish4kisd.com. Voters are encouraged to review her full platform and consider how her data‑driven, fiscally responsible approach aligns with the needs of Keller families.

Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.