THE POWER & PASSION OF A COMMUNITY Dr. Rick Westfall, Superintendent, Keller ISD; Sloan Harris, VLK Partner; Ken Hutchens, VLK Principal of Creative From 2000 – 2011, Keller ISD opened 13 new elementary schools, seven intermediate and middle school campuses, two new high schools, and the Keller Early Learning Center. The district started the 2019-2020 school year without opening a single new building. As Keller ISD was reaching this transition period, in 2017, Dr. Rick Westfall was hired as Superintendent. Student growth was slowing as the district neared build-out and a new vision was needed for a district that had many aging facilities. The district undertook a visioning process as the first step with the guiding fundamental that the district administration knew this wasn’t about what they, the district, wanted. This was the community’s district. “What does the community want for the students of Keller ISD in the future?” This question and belief would drive the work ahead.
“As I reflect on 2017-18, my first year in Keller ISD as Superintendent, I remember the first question, ‘What is your vision for this district?’ My answer was always simple: I wanted to listen to the community to help bring its vision for Keller ISD to fruition,” said Westfall. Now, with the guidance of the Keller ISD Visioning Core Values, planning meetings between the district and VLK representatives designed a holistic approach to align Keller’s instructional practices and facilities with community expectations. Representing every corner of Keller ISD, more than 260 parents, community members, teachers, administrators, and students came together as the Long-Range Facility Planning Committee to discuss the challenges presented by current facility conditions and the future direction of the district. Continued on next page >>
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