Killeen ISD is entering the 2025–2026 fiscal year with a $578 million budget that prioritizes people and programs. The plan includes pay raises for all employees, more time for math and reading professional learning communities, and investments to enhance campus safety and security.
On Tuesday, the Killeen ISD Board of Trustees approved the budget, which also includes a planned 0.61% deficit—about $4.2 million in the general fund. The deficit will be covered by the district’s fund balance for compensatory education. To utilize fund balances, a district must first spend more than it receives in revenues.
Trustees also set a property tax rate of $0.8778 per $100 of valuation—$0.6682 for maintenance and operations and $0.2096 for debt service (bonds). For the average homeowner, this means an estimated $219 decrease in the annual property tax bill.
In other news, Trustees reviewed the district’s latest A–F accountability ratings from the Texas Education Agency, which underscore both progress and urgency. While 22 campuses improved their overall scores, three campuses remain rated “F” for multiple consecutive years. Under state law, the district must address persistently low-performing schools, adding weight to long-term planning decisions.
Trustees were presented with draft scenarios for District Optimization, a comprehensive effort to align resources, improve academic outcomes, and ensure students have access to high-quality facilities. The draft scenarios include options such as:
Consolidating or closing underutilized schools to direct students to higher-performing campuses.
Repurposing facilities and adjusting attendance boundaries to better balance enrollment.
Expanding programming, such as dual language, career and technical education, and STEM opportunities.
No decisions have been made. District leaders emphasized that the scenarios are starting points for discussion and will be refined based on community input before any recommendations are finalized.
Community members are invited to learn more and share feedback through both in-person town halls and an online survey:
Thursday, Sept. 4, 6–8 p.m. — Killeen High School Cafeteria (Scenarios to be discussed include Peebles Elementary, Hay Branch Elementary, Manor Middle School, Rancier Middle School, Willow Springs Elementary and long-term high school planning.)
Monday, Sept. 8, 6–8 p.m. — Harker Heights High School Cafeteria (Scenarios to be discussed include Cedar Valley Elementary/Timber Ridge Elementary, Eastern Hills Middle School, Willow Spring Elementary and long-term high school planning.)
Thursday, Sept. 11, 6–8 p.m. — Ellison High School Cafeteria (Scenarios to be discussed include Venable Village Elementary, Palo Alto Middle School, Willow Springs Elementary and long-term high school planning.)
An online survey is open from Aug. 26 through Oct. 3 at www.killeenisd.org/optimization-survey. For more information about KISD’s district optimization, visit www.killeenisd.org/optimization.
“We know these are complex and emotional decisions, but they are necessary to ensure stronger schools, stronger programs, and stronger futures for our students,” Interim Superintendent Dr. King Davis said. “We want our families, staff, and community members to have a voice in shaping the path forward.”