The Killeen Independent School District (KISD) has announced a major restructuring initiative as part of its District Optimization plan, which includes the closure of three campuses. This decision, made by the board of trustees during a meeting on October 28, aims to tackle challenges related to dwindling enrollment and a reduction in federal funding.
Peebles Elementary School, established in 1960, will close at the end of the 2025-26 school year, impacting approximately 457 students who will be reassigned to nearby schools such as Brookhaven, Cavazos, Clifton Park, and Killeen Elementary. Although Peebles has shown significant improvement in its state accountability scores, rising from an F rating to a B, the closure reflects the need for strategic changes within the district.
The recommendation to close Peebles, as well as Hay Branch Elementary, was based on an analysis conducted by Civic Solutions Group, which has been collaborating with KISD to explore options for optimization. While both schools were initially earmarked for closure—potentially saving the district around $45 million over five years—Trustee Oliver Mintz proposed a delay for the closure of Hay Branch to reassess its economic impact on the northern part of the district.
In addition to Peebles, KISD will also close Palo Alto and Eastern Hills middle schools by the end of the academic year. Palo Alto will be repurposed as a District Alternative Education Placement (DAEP) campus, and students from both middle schools will be rezoned to nearby institutions. The anticipated savings from these closures are around $19 million over the next five years. Community response to the middle school closures has been mixed, with staff favoring the changes more than parents and other community members.
Both Eastern Hills and Palo Alto have faced scrutiny from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) due to their academic struggles and have been directed to develop turnaround plans. Students at these underperforming schools require substantial support to boost their academic performance.
Interim Superintendent King Davis noted that the closures are part of a larger strategy aimed at optimizing district resources rather than merely addressing failing schools. He underscored the financial burden of maintaining underutilized facilities while acknowledging that students in these struggling institutions still require comprehensive support.
The KISD board also approved a proposal for implementing the ACE (Accelerating Campus Excellence) program and the SB 1882 partnership model for Manor Middle School, which seeks to enhance student outcomes through collaboration with charter schools.
As KISD embarks on these changes, the board remains committed to improving student performance and ensuring fiscal responsibility to the community, fostering a hopeful environment for future success.