Dr. Rick Westfall announced Monday, June 5, that he will retire after 31 years in Texas public education and six years as Superintendent of Keller ISD.
Dr. Westfall’s last day acting as Superintendent in the district will be June 30, 2023. He will remain an employee of the school district until December 31, 2023, to assist with the transition of leadership.
“I am making this announcement now so that the Board of Trustees can have time to begin the selection process for the new Superintendent,” Dr. Westfall said. “The incredible level of community and district support we have experienced in KISD has been a hallmark of our success. I am grateful for all of the Board members over these last six years who have allowed me to serve KISD, the place where Michelle and I have chosen to call home.
“The Board and our dedicated staff have been committed to excellence at every level of our district. Most importantly, I want to acknowledge our teachers and those on our campuses who have made these past six years a huge success. Educational innovation cannot move forward without our staff who have been willing to go above and beyond for our students. They are the true heroes of Keller ISD and will continue to be the collective light that shines for our students and community. I believe new leadership and the Board have a tremendous opportunity to build on Keller ISD’s legacy of success.”
Speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Board President Dr. Charles Randklev praised Superintendent Westfall for his dedication and service to all 34,000 students and 4,400 staff of Keller ISD.
“On behalf of the Board, we greatly appreciate Dr. Westfall’s service and his dedication to our students and staff over the past six years. Dr. Westfall has helped lead our District through unprecedented challenges with a number of notable successes including: creation and implementation of dual-language and STEM programming, re-imagining Keller ISD’s mission, vision, and values statements, increased partnerships with the local community, and construction of new campuses.”
President Randklev continued, “We thank him for his years of dedicated service to Keller ISD and for the many achievements and accomplishments that we accomplished together during Dr. Westfall’s tenure as superintendent. I know I speak on behalf of not only the Board, but the entire Keller ISD community as we extend our best wishes to Dr. Westfall in his future endeavors.”
Just some of the district and professional highlights from Dr. Westfall’s leadership in Keller ISD include:
- Created community-inspired Keller ISD Core Values in 2017-2018
- Passed a Tax Ratification Election in 2018
- Created a long-range facility plan
- Passed a bond election in 2019
- Revised the Keller ISD mission, vision, and values in 2022-2023
- Opened Keller ISDs first employee daycare center
- Began “Go Centers” at each comprehensive high school
- Created the first dual language program in Keller ISD
- Began the STEM/STEAM programs at two elementary campuses
- Created a hybrid/accelerated program for core content areas
- Expanded the AVID program which includes two AVID National Demonstration schools
- Opened the Keller Collegiate Academy with a focus on the healthcare industry
- Constructed new Florence Elementary
- Constructed new Heritage Elementary
- Constructed new Parkview Elementary
- Constructed new Whitley Road Elementary
- Increased Industry Based Certifications for our students as they enter the workforce
- Served as a member of the Rotary Club
- Served on the Board of Medical City Hospital Alliance
Dr. Westfall said Keller ISD’s success is a product of teamwork throughout the district.
“As both the principal of Keller High School from 2008-2011 and recently as Superintendent, I have been blessed to work with wonderful people at Keller ISD,” Dr. Westfall said. “Our campus staff, support staff, teachers, leadership team, and Board of Trustees deserve all of the credit for working together as a team for the success of our students. KISD is a destination district and will continue to accomplish great things in the future.”
Keller ISD’s Board of Trustees will immediately begin the process of searching for the District’s next Superintendent.
About Dr. Rick Westfall
Dr. Westfall has been the Superintendent of Schools in Keller ISD since July 2017. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Westfall served as the Deputy Superintendent in GCISD.
In addition to KISD and GCISD, Dr. Westfall has also served in administrative roles in Carroll ISD. He taught Mathematics at the High School for Science and Engineering at Dunbar High School.
Dr. Westfall grew up in Centerville, Ohio. He received his undergraduate degree in 1991 from Miami University and in 1996, completed a Master of Education at TCU. In 2012, he received his doctorate from Tarleton State University. Dr. Westfall and his family have lived in Keller since 2018. He is married to Michelle Westfall, and they have one child, Grant, who is currently a student at Texas A&M University.
