The 2026 candidate Q&A identifies Chris Coker as an incumbent and lists his occupation as: “Self employed, I own several businesses and I am currently on the board.”

Q&A: Meet the candidates running for Keller ISD, Place 5

Chris Coker is self-employed and owns several businesses.

Tarrant County's May 6, 2023 election report lists the contest as “Keller Independent School District - Trustee, Place 5 - Three-Year Term.” It reports 7,705 votes (53.95%) for Chris Coker and 6,578 votes (46.05%) for Bev Dixon.

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Chris was elected as a trustee for Keller Independent School District, Place 5, in 2023 for a three-year term.

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Asked who should have authority to set curriculum and determine instructional resources, Coker responded: “The teachers should set the curriculum; however, it must be based around reading, writing and arithmetic. Political ideologies belong at home and have no place in the classroom.”

Voter Guide Profile for TX Keller ISD Board of Trustees - Place 5 candidate - Chris Coker

In his May 2023 candidate Q&A, Coker wrote: “I want to expand learning opportunities and strengthen parent-teacher relationships while strengthening the parents’ voice. I want to keep politics out of the classroom and focus our education system on the things that matter.”

Meet the candidates running for Keller ISD board of trustees, Place 5

Asked to prioritize K-12 subjects, Coker wrote: “Math, Info Tech, Science, History, and ELA are the basis of what should be taught in schools. Phys Education, Art, Music, and Foreign Languages are fantastic extra curriculars. Personal Finance is a class that is incredibly overlooked and should be more aggressively promoted in schools. Everything else on this list is strongly opinion based and those conversations are for the home.”

In the questionnaire's sexual-education section, Coker wrote: “I believe Sex Ed belongs at home.” The prior question asked who should teach sexual education and at what age; Coker answered, “It's the parent's responsibility and it's really up to them.”

Said teachers should set a curriculum centered on reading, writing, and arithmetic, without political ideologies in classrooms.

Advocates for schools to more aggressively promote personal-finance classes.

Believes sexual education should be taught at home by parents.

- Said teachers should set a curriculum centered on reading, writing, and arithmetic, without political ideologies in classrooms.
- Advocates for schools to more aggressively promote personal-finance classes.
- Believes sexual education should be taught at home by parents.

School Curriculum

Asked his position on government funding of public education from prekindergarten through college, Coker wrote: “Government funding comes from the tax payers, with this in mind, it is tax payer funded. Public education is a staple of a strong society, and therefore, must be protected and strengthened for the betterment of our country. I believe that tax revenues routed into public education are an absolute must.”

Asked how he planned to address Keller ISD's declining enrollment, long-term debt, financial pressures, and educator recruitment and retention, Coker wrote: “I will ask tough questions; demand transparency and accountability; prioritize classroom resources and educator compensation; and scrutinize spending to ensure taxpayers receive value for every dollar. I’ll listen to parents, educators and taxpayers across every feeder pattern and work toward practical solutions that strengthen our entire district.”

Asked for his top priorities if elected, Coker wrote: “My priorities are improving student outcomes, increasing teacher compensation, reducing unnecessary administrative spending, restoring fiscal discipline and strengthening transparency. I want Keller ISD to attract and retain exceptional educators while ensuring taxpayer dollars are directed toward classrooms, students and the long-term financial stability of our district.”

Supports directing tax revenue to public education.

Plans to prioritize classroom resources, scrutinize district spending, and increase transparency and accountability.

- Supports directing tax revenue to public education.
- Plans to prioritize classroom resources, scrutinize district spending, and increase transparency and accountability.

School Facilities & Resources

Asked for his top priorities in the May 2023 trustee election, Coker answered: “Keeping politics out of the classroom, making sure parents have a voice, working with the budget to increase teacher pay and continuing to improve school safety.”

Prioritizes continued improvements to school safety.

- Prioritizes continued improvements to school safety.

Student Wellbeing

Asked about Keller ISD's biggest challenges, Coker wrote: “Keller ISD faces declining enrollment, significant long-term debt, financial pressures, challenges recruiting and retaining great educators. Addressing these challenges requires responsible financial planning, greater transparency, competitive teacher compensation, strong academics and leadership that is willing to make the hard decisions.”

Prioritizes increasing teacher compensation to help attract and retain educators.

- Prioritizes increasing teacher compensation to help attract and retain educators.

Teachers

In response to why he was running for office in the May 2023 Keller ISD trustee election, Coker wrote: “As a member of KISD, I have seen firsthand the positive impact that education can have on the lives of our students and our community. I want to expand learning opportunities and strengthen parent-teacher relationships while strengthening the parents’ voice.”

Wants to expand learning opportunities and strengthen parents' voice in schools.

- Wants to expand learning opportunities and strengthen parents' voice in schools.

Access to Education

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Chris Coker

Buket Urgen

Edward Krutsch

Andrew Walsh

Colin Hodges

- A trustee is an elected member of a local school board who helps govern a public school district.

- Trustees represent community interests and are responsible for setting policies that guide how the school district operates.

- The board of trustees hires and evaluates the superintendent, who manages the day-to-day operations of the district.

- Trustees approve the district’s budget, monitor spending, and may set the local tax rate or call for bond elections to fund schools.

- The board also oversees educational programs, district goals, and overall performance.

- In Texas, trustees are elected to four-year terms, often on a rotating basis, so not all seats are elected at the same time.

- Trustees serve without financial compensation.

An official who sets policy for a local school district. 