Colin Hodges, candidate for Keller ISD Place 5

Candidate name: Colin Hodges

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/HodgesforKISD/

Education: Bachelor’s degree from Creighton University

Occupation and workplace: Sales manager

Keller ISD has approved closing Bear Creek, Parkwood Hill and Trinity Meadows intermediate schools after the 2026-27 school year as the district responds to declining enrollment. Do you support the consolidation plan and what should guide any future decisions about school closures, attendance boundaries or the use of district property?

Yes, I support the current consolidation plan as a “first step” toward aligning our facilities with enrollment and protecting classroom resources. Future decisions must be guided by public enrollment projections, realistic savings after transition costs, and clear assessments of class sizes, transportation, and academic programs. Families deserve meaningful input before closures or boundary changes are approved. Any sale or reuse of district property should include an independent valuation, public discussion, and a demonstrated long-term benefit to students and taxpayers. Responsible planning must protect both educational quality and financial stability.

Keller ISD voters will consider an $828 million bond package. Which propositions do you support or oppose, and why? If elected, how would you oversee bond spending if voters approve it — or address the district’s facility needs if some or all of the propositions fail?

I supported putting the proposal before voters. My personal evaluation centers on demonstrated need, student safety, facility conditions, the cost of delaying repairs, and the full cost of borrowing and maintaining what we build or purchase.

Ultimately, the final decision belongs to our community and voters. As a candidate, I respect their authority over this significant financial commitment. The last thing we need right now is more Texas attorney general letters coming in the direction of Keller ISD like we’ve experienced.

If voters approve any of the bond propositions, I will push for a public project dashboard showing original budgets, current spending, schedules, and significant changes. Citizen oversight should have access to meaningful information and cost overruns shouldn’t happen. At a minimum these should come with transparent explanations and quick corrective plans. 

My experience in municipal government acquisition and negotiation would help me scrutinize inconsistencies, question terms, and hold district leadership accountable for delivery.

Community voter approval creates an obligation to deliver what was promised. Every approved dollar needs a clear purpose, and every project needs accountable oversight.

If voters reject any propositions, I will respect that decision and request a publicly ranked plan addressing the most urgent needs.

Safety hazards and building failures that interrupt learning come first. We should compare repairs, replacement, and phased work while protecting effective academics, instructional technology, and career programs.

To pay for it, I would examine available capital funds, verify savings, and carefully limit reserve use for one-time needs. I would also ask the district to explore new creative revenue sources by evaluating potential grants, business partnerships, facility rentals, and asset naming agreements based on revenue after expenses. I’m the only candidate talking about real and available creative revenue sources. It’s time to play offense.

Ultimately, we must be honest about what these sources can cover. If major needs remain, I will support a narrower proposal developed with community input.

My commitment is very clear. I want to protect classrooms, justify every expense, and match every promise to a credible funding plan. I know this is experience Keller ISD wishes it had in Place 5.

Keller ISD adopted a nearly balanced $346.1 million general fund budget for 2026-27. If the district faces a budget shortfall, how would you want to address it? 

Protecting classroom instruction would be my first priority. I would request a public review of administrative spending, contracts, vacant positions, and program effectiveness before considering reductions that directly affect students. Every proposed reduction should clearly identify both the savings and the impact on learning. Reserves can help manage a temporary shortfall, but recurring expenses require reliable funding.

I would also work with state leaders to advocate for funding based on student enrollment rather than average daily attendance, while holding district leadership accountable for the dollars we already receive. Strong schools and responsible stewardship must go hand in hand.

I have also consistently advocated exploring new revenue sources and opportunities to support students. That includes preparing for the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit beginning in 2027 and evaluating whether Keller ISD could offer approved educational services through Texas Education Freedom Accounts, an approach Katy ISD is pursuing.

Any proposal should demonstrate clear eligibility, demand, costs, and financial safeguards. We should distinguish opportunities that help families afford educational services from revenue available to support the district’s budget. Potential income should only enter our spending plans when it is dependable.

My commitment is to protect classrooms, pursue practical opportunities, and ensure every financial decision strengthens Keller ISD’s future.

What do you believe is Keller ISD’s most pressing academic challenge? Identify one measurable academic outcome you would like the district to improve during your term and one action the school board can take to help accomplish it.

I believe our most pressing academic challenge is ensuring every student builds a strong foundation in reading and math early. My goal would be to increase the percentage of third-grade students meeting grade level reading expectations by at least 4 percentage points during my first three years in office, using a clearly defined baseline and consistent measurement.

The board can advance this goal by making early literacy a core district priority, with measurable targets and regular public progress reports. The district’s improvement plan should continue to emphasize strong Tier 1 instruction, while also drawing directly on teachers’ experience. It should also incorporate health and wellness initiatives with proven benefits, student discipline, safe classrooms, providing parents with clear information, and giving educators the time and resources to help students succeed.

District administrators should continue regularly visiting classrooms, listening to educators, and using evidence to strengthen what works and address what needs improvement. Our responsibility is to turn high expectations into measurable progress for students.

Keller ISD went through a debate in 2025 over a proposal to split the district, which the board ultimately abandoned. Did you support the district split? More broadly, what would you do as a trustee to rebuild or maintain trust among families and residents across different parts of the district?

No. I have firmly opposed splitting Keller ISD since I first learned it was being considered. I believe we are stronger together, with every community contributing to the success of all our students.

As a Day 1 priority, I would ask the board to adopt a resolution committing to oppose any district split without a vote of the people. I would also work with our state legislators to pursue clear legal protections ensuring affected voters have the final say. Again, I’m the only candidate talking about real common sense actions that can be done today.

Rebuilding trust requires consistent action. This means accessible financial information, community meetings across the district, and clear explanations of major decisions. Every campus deserves fair consideration based on student needs. My responsibility, as a trustee, would be to every student, family, and taxpayer in Keller ISD, and I would earn their trust by listening, explaining my decisions, and following through.