The consolidation of the two schools is a result of district officials having more than $45 million in budget shortfalls over the last two school years with no increased financial support from the state, district officials said.
The details
Chief Communications Officer Bryce Nieman said that two years in a row of budgetary shortfalls—$17 million in 2022-23 and $28 million in 2023-24—is the culprit for closing the Keller Collegiate Academy.
“Keller ISD is facing a $28 million budget shortfall [this year] due to the state’s failure to adequately fund Texas public schools, and this move is an effort to save costs and contribute to financial solvency for the future,” Nieman said.
While Superintendent Tracy Johnson said at the March 28 board meeting that it would take $10 million to bring the Keller Collegiate Academy building "up to speed," Nieman said that discussions are still ongoing concerning the district’s next steps with regard to the building’s future.
A closer look
Nieman said that KCAL houses advanced career and technical education courses attended by students at Keller ISD’s four comprehensive high schools throughout the day. Students at the high schools take classes at their home campus and then travel to KCAL to take these advanced CTE courses.
Nieman said that Keller Collegiate Academy will utilize approximately 15 classrooms at KCAL. He added that while the Keller Collegiate Academy’s schedule will be altered slightly to fit in with KCAL’s schedule, no significant structural modifications are necessary.
Current Keller Collegiate Academy students will be able visit KCAL on May 1 and 2 to experience what it will be like attending classes at KCAL next year, and a student and parent orientation is scheduled for July, Nieman said.
What you need to know
Nieman said that Keller ISD students in eighth grade are invited to apply for Keller Collegiate Academy. He added that acceptance letters have already been distributed for this year.
Quote of note
“With no increase in the state’s basic per-pupil public school funding allotment since 2019, despite more than 17% inflation over that time, districts across the state continue to face tough budget challenges,” Nieman said. “We are excited that we are able to continue offering the Keller Collegiate Academy to students through this move to KCAL.”
