Former Keller ISD superintendent to earn 5K after resigning amid split proposal
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Former Keller ISD superintendent to earn $425K after resigning amid split proposal

Keller ISD will pay former Superintendent Tracy Johnson $425,384 through the end of 2025, according to her resignation agreement with the school board.The agreement, obtained by the Fort Worth Report through an open records request, outlines that Johnson will receive two lump-sum payments and retain her salary and benefits through Dec. 31, 2025. Johnson’s last day as superintendent was Jan. 31. Her salary was $275,000.She will remain on the district payroll as superintendent emeritus, available to advise the board and assist the interim superintendent upon request of board President Charles Randklev until March 31, after which she will have no official duties, according to the agreement signed Feb. 20.As part of the leadership transition, the board formally appointed Cory Wilson, assistant superintendent of educational services, as interim superintendent during its Feb. 20 meeting. Wilson’s contract agreement, obtained by the Report through a separate records request, outlined he will receive a $7,500 monthly stipend on top of his existing salary as he steps into the district’s top role. He will guide the district through uncertainty as trustees weigh a proposal to split the district amid outcry from community and city leaders and contend with a potential $12.4 million budget deficit.Wilson was paid $160,304 in 2023, according to Open Payrolls. The Report has requested Wilson’s current salary for his assistant superintendent role. Keller ISD interim Superintendent Cory Wilson listening to public comments from the dais during a special meeting Feb. 20, 2025. (Matthew Sgroi | Fort Worth Report)While Wilson assumes the job, Johnson’s separation agreement finalizes the terms of her departure, including her buyout package.Johnson’s buyout includes her full salary for the rest of 2025, amounting to $251,880.In addition, she will receive two lump-sum payments totaling $173,503.98. The first, valued at $124,399.08, accounts for 76 days of unused local wellness, vacation, sick and personal leave. The second, worth $49,104.90, provides compensation for an additional 30 days of pay.The separation agreement also prevents Johnson from filing legal claims against the district in connection with her employment. In return, Keller ISD has agreed to indemnify her against liability for decisions made during her tenure, except in cases of wrongdoing.Johnson stepped down two weeks after threatening to resign over a proposed district split. Since it became public in early January, the proposal has triggered multiple lawsuits, opposition from Fort Worth’s top elected officials, a student walkout and calls for a public vote on the split. Two of the board’s seven trustees have opposed the move and criticized fellow board members for a lack of transparency. Five have backed it as a measure for restoring financial stability and local control to the district. The board initially postponed a vote on her resignation during its Jan. 30 meeting before ultimately approving her separation agreement on Feb. 20.Johnson’s departure marks the second superintendent transition in just over a year. She took over in December 2023 following the retirement of Rick Westfall, who led the district for six years.“It has been my greatest pleasure serving the district during my tenure with Keller ISD,” she said in a resignation letter to trustees made public through the open records request. “The students, staff and families make this district a wonderful place for education. It is truly the people that I will miss.”Johnson highlighted two accomplishments she was most proud of: eliminating $48 million from the district’s budget to address two consecutive deficits and creating a “distraction free learning environment” for students through a districtwide cell phone policy. Tracy Johnson separation agreement + Cory Wilson contractDownloadMatthew Sgroi is an education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org or @matthewsgroi1. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.

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