Photo Courtesy of WFAA
KELLER, Texas — On Monday afternoon, members of a Fort Worth homeowners’ association filed a lawsuit against several members of the Keller ISD school board.
The Heritage Homeowners Association, along with residents Cary Moon and Brian Black, are suing board members Charles Randklev, Heather Washington, John Birt, Chris Coker, and Micah Young.
The lawsuit seeks to block the board from moving forward with a controversial plan to divide the district into two, with U.S. Highway 377 serving as the boundary line.
The plaintiffs claim that the board violated the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA).
The lawsuit intervenes in an ongoing case (Mucker v. KISD Trustees), with the plaintiffs seeking a temporary restraining order, a temporary injunction, and a permanent injunction to halt any actions stemming from alleged TOMA violations. They also aim to ensure the board’s compliance with the law and to invalidate any contracts made in violation of TOMA.
“It’s going to be a legal battle, with plenty of emotion involved,” said Moon, a former Fort Worth city council member, in an interview with WFAA. “We’re in this for the long haul, fighting for our kids, our property values, and our school district.”
It remains unclear what actions, if any, the trustees will take regarding the district’s proposed split.
“We are respectfully requesting that the court issue a judgment,” Moon added. “Ultimately, it will be up to the court to decide.”
The proposed split has already led to the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Tracy Johnson, opposition from city and county officials, calls for a public vote, and student walkouts.
The case was filed in the 348th District Court in Tarrant County by Dee J. Kelly Jr. of the Fort Worth law firm Kelly Hart & Hallman. The firm, which also represents DFW-based American Airlines, is listed on its website.
WFAA reached out to the five board members named in the lawsuit for comment but did not receive a response.