Killeen ISD hosts first town hall on plan to optimize schools amid $31M shortfall

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) - Killeen ISD held their first of three town hall meetings to talk about a new framework for the district that will make sure their facilities, staff and programs are being used in a way that gives students a high performing school to learn in.

This conversation comes as KISD faces a projected $31 million shortfall over four years, that’s due to a loss of federal Impact Aid, declining enrollment and aging facilities.

The Killeen High School cafeteria overflowed with parents and staff. A rough draft of an Optimization Plan was recently drawn up and now the district is asking if the community approves.

“We’re asking the community, our families, parents, staff, to come out and give us their thoughts, opinions, concerns, what they like and what they don’t like about the draft scenarios,” says KISD Communication Director, Karen Rudolph.

There are nine scenarios, they focused on three in the first meeting.

Some tough decisions may have to be made, such as closing certain schools and redistricting those students.

To make sure everyone’s opinion is considered, they divided the crowd up for more efficient note taking.

“They are working in small groups and the table facilitator will make sure to ask really good questions and track a lot of the information that’s coming in,” Rudolph explains.

These scenarios are not final decisions but the district is weighing their options for each school based on their five priorities: academic outcomes, high quality school facilities, strong leadership and staffing, family and student engagement, and resources for student readiness.

“We are looking to utilize our resources so that we can have the most students in the highest performing schools and the highest, best quality facilities. That’s the end goal,” Rudolph says.

The other two meetings will be held Monday, September 8 and Thursday, September 11.

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