Killeen School District Closes Three Campuses Due to Funding, Enrollment Issues
The Killeen Independent School District (KISD) has initiated a major restructuring plan, which includes closing three campuses. This move aims to tackle ongoing challenges related to funding and declining enrollment.
Closure of Key Campuses
During a board meeting on October 28, trustees approved the District Optimization plan, which will close Peebles Elementary, Palo Alto Middle School, and Eastern Hills Middle School. Peebles Elementary, a community staple since 1960, will cease operations at the end of the 2025-26 school year, affecting around 457 students.
- Peebles Elementary
- Palo Alto Middle School
- Eastern Hills Middle School
Student Reassignments
Students from Peebles will be transferred to nearby schools, including Brookhaven, Cavazos, Clifton Park, and Killeen Elementary. In addition, pupils from Palo Alto and Eastern Hills will also be moved to other local middle schools.
Financial Implications
The restructuring process was influenced by a report from Civic Solutions Group, a consultancy aiming to identify optimization strategies for KISD. The proposed closings were anticipated to save approximately $45 million over the next five years.
| Campus | Closure Date | Projected Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Peebles Elementary | End of 2025-26 Year | $45 million over five years |
| Palo Alto Middle School | End of Current Academic Year | $19 million over five years |
| Eastern Hills Middle School | End of Current Academic Year | $19 million over five years |
Community Reaction
Feedback from the community regarding these closures has been mixed. While district staff generally support the changes, parents and community members have expressed concerns. KISD has faced scrutiny from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) due to underperformance issues within its schools, including Eastern Hills and Manor Middle School.
Moving Forward
KISD’s interim superintendent, King Davis, clarified that the closures are not merely a solution to failing schools. Instead, they represent a broader strategy to optimize district resources and improve academic outcomes. The board is also considering implementing programs like ACE (Accelerating Campus Excellence) and a partnership model with charter schools at Manor Middle School to bolster educational quality.
As KISD continues to restructure, the trustees remain committed to enhancing student performance while ensuring financial responsibility to the community.
