Keller ISD trustees accept citizens�bond advisory committee�recommendation and direct administration to prepare Nov. 3 bond call

Trustees voted to accept the Citizens Bond Advisory Committee(CBAC) recommendations and directed the administration to prepare a bond call for consideration at a special meeting, moving the process one step closer to a November 3, 2026 ballot. The boardvoice vote was recorded as 5
in favor after extended public comment and a lengthy discussion of needs versus wants.

"We built and rebuilt these packages multiple times to ensure we got it right and we're proud of it," said Gavin Sullivan, a student CBAC member, describing months of community input. Felix Murrah, a longtime community member on the committee, told trustees the group prioritized three funding buckets: modernization/replacement (about 67% of the package), maintenance (about 21.8%) and student program investments (about 10.9%), and recommended calling an $837,000,000 bond election. "This is an opportunity to rebuild," Murrah said.

Superintendent Dr. Wilson told the board the recommendation reflected a data-driven process that considered long-term cost and safety concerns. "We have to make these investments so our buildings are in the condition we expect in a district like this," he said, noting examples such as HVAC, roofing, plumbing and code-compliance work.

Trustee 11 (voice recorded in the minutes) dissented, urging fiscal restraint and saying the proposed package included items he considered "wants" rather than immediate needs. "I don't think it's wise to max out the credit card on items that are not clearly needs," he said before voting against the motion.

Board action: the trustees approved the motion to accept the CBAC project list and directed administration to bring a formal bond call for the August 13 special meeting so the district can meet the August 17 statutory deadline to order the election.

Why it matters: Administrators said deferred capital work has forced repeated use of maintenance dollars for urgent repairs, which reduces money available for operations and teacher compensation. The CBAC and trustees argued that using capital (bond) funds for large, one-time facility investments would free operational dollars for employees and programs if voters approve the bond.

Next steps: Administration will prepare the formal bond call and package details for the board's August 13 special meeting; the board must order the election by August 17 to appear on the November 3 ballot.