The Killeen Independent School District (KISD) Board of Trustees reviewed the timeline for developing required turnaround plans at Manor, Palo Alto, and Eastern Hills middle schools. These plans are essential to addressing the schools’ low-performance issues and must be submitted to the Texas Education Agency by November 14, 2025. The strategies will align with the state’s Effective Schools Framework and focus on identifying root causes for underperformance.
Dr. Terri Osborne, Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and School Leadership, shared the timeline and requirements for these turnaround plans. KISD’s ongoing District Optimization work, initiated in February 2025, will play a central role in these strategies. This Optimization effort is a proactive approach to prepare the district for significant federal funding reductions, which could amount to $31 million over the next few years. Additionally, this initiative addresses challenges such as declining student enrollment, aims to maximize the utilization of resources, and supports long-term facility planning.
Given the potential impacts of federal funding cuts, the turnaround plans may consider scenarios such as closing certain middle schools, rezoning areas, or adopting state-approved restart models like Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) or forming 1882 partnerships. The final proposals for the District Optimization are expected to be presented to the board on October 21, with board approvals scheduled for October 28. After these decisions, the district will seek further stakeholder feedback before submitting the plans to the TEA.
Additionally, the trustees have approved the introduction of a new priority, Safety and Security, into the district’s strategic plan. This addition aligns with the existing priorities of Student Success, Human Capital, and Financial Stewardship, all of which guide the district’s performance objectives. By reinforcing safety and security, the district underscores its commitment to providing a secure learning environment, which is crucial for effective education and overall district success.