The Board Brief - May 19, 2026

Trustees approved an architect contract for renovations at Palo Alto Middle School as part of the district’s Strategic Facilities Plan. Following the campus closure at the end of the current school year, the renovated facility will become the future home of Gateway Middle School and Gateway High School’s DAEP program beginning in August 2026.

The current Gateway facility is more than 60 years old and relies heavily on portable classrooms. Planned renovations at Palo Alto include security upgrades, interior improvements, parking lot renovations, office reconfigurations, and additional student support spaces designed to better serve students and staff.

District officials said repurposing the Palo Alto campus will provide a safer, more modern learning environment while avoiding the significantly higher cost of constructing a new facility or renovating the aging Gateway campus.

The total project budget is approximately $2 million, with construction expected to be completed in phases by May 2027.

Trustees recognized Killeen ISD student-athletes who earned Academic All-State honors from the Texas High School Coaches Association and from the Texas High School Women's Powerlifting Association for excellence both in competition and in the classroom. This distinction is awarded to seniors who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, strong character, and dedication to their sport while maintaining a GPA of 92 or higher while balancing the demands of athletics and academics.

The following students were recognized: Avianna Borja, Emily Peterson, Levi Robinson, Yiaxmel Marino Vega, Andrew Chavez, Trysten Wingfield, Antonio Bunton, and David Flores from Chaparral High School; Aaliyah Harris, Alexandra Maldonado, N’Mari Smith, Israel Valdes-Munoz, Juan Orduna, and Matthew Bryan from Harker Heights High School; Alyssa Dell and Charles Degano from Shoemaker High School; and Jadesola Oladipo and Hannah Stowers from Ellison High School.

Trustees recognized Killeen ISD visual arts students who showcased exceptional creativity and artistic talent at the 2026 Texas Art Education Association State Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE). Advancing to the state level represents some of the top student artwork in Texas following regional competition.

This year, 15 KISD student artworks advanced to state adjudication, with 11 entries earning a rating of 4 -- the highest non-Gold Seal rating awarded at the state level — earning recognition as All-State Artists.

The following students were recognized: Laylah Fernandez, Laila Torres-Mendoza, Marci Leon Valencia, and Isabella Shepherd (Harker Heights High School); Lylah Rodriguez and Jae Uno Dy (Shoemaker High School); Ahniya Hinton (Ellison High School); and Trinity Briscoe, Anahi Lujan Soto, and Verona Stults (Killeen High School).

Trustees also recognized the educators who supported these students, including Miranda Meyer and Donald McNiesh (Harker Heights High School); Xavier Saulter (Shoemaker High School); Haley Miller (Ellison High School); and Warren Sanders and Stephanie Wilson (Killeen High School).

Trustees recognized Killeen ISD middle school artists for outstanding achievement at the 2026 Junior Visual Art Scholastic Event (Junior VASE), one of the premier student art competitions in Texas that celebrates artistic skill, among young artists statewide. This year, Killeen ISD students earned impressive results, with 149 of 156 regional entries receiving the highest possible rating. Additionally, 19 students earned the prestigious Platinum Medal distinction at the state level, an honor awarded to only a select group of student artists across Texas.

The following students were recognized: Sadie Millares (Liberty Hill Middle School); Stella Menchaca and Everlee Taylor (Eastern Hills Middle School); Cassidy Smith, Kacey Sutton, Nicholas Ross, Elizabeth Lorn, Isabella Ortiz Hurtado, Kymani Owens, Emelia Roldan, Henry Coleman, Mayaliana Ramirez, and Zoe Jibran (Union Grove Middle School); Amari Dixon (Rancier Middle School); Nayeli Hinte and Javier Casanova (Dr. Jimmie Don Aycock Middle School); Sofia Willis (Audie Murphy Middle School); and Liliana Junco (Roy J. Smith Middle School).

Trustees also recognized the teachers who supported these students, including Samantha Myers (Liberty Hill Middle School); Rose Kleefman (Eastern Hills Middle School); Ronald Cresswell and Jordan Love (Union Grove Middle School); Kendall Crossley (Rancier Middle School); Andrea Rogers (Dr. Jimmie Don Aycock Middle School); Anna Maysonet (Audie Murphy Middle School); and Stephanie Mojica-Gonzalez (Roy J. Smith Middle School).

Chaparral High School's Bobcat Drama program was recently named a National Premier School for Theatre Education by the Educational Theatre Association, a prestigious honor recognizing schools that provide exceptional theatre education opportunities and experiences for students. The program also earned the award for Best Scenic Design at the Heller Awards for Young Artists in Austin for its production of Godspell, which celebrates excellence in high school musical theatre programs across Central Texas. Theatre directors Samantha Dunaway and Chad Moore lead Chaparral's program.

Trustees proudly recognized Halli Richards as Killeen ISD’s 2026 Elementary Teacher. Ms. Richards is a fifth-grade math and science teacher at Skipcha Elementary. With 14 years of experience in education, Ms. Richards s known for creating meaningful learning experiences that connect classroom lessons to real-world skills. From teaching financial literacy and budgeting to building strong relationships with students and families, she creates a classroom environment where students feel supported, encouraged, and motivated to succeed.

Trustees recognized Killeen ISD transportation team members Frank Walker and Tina Sutton for earning statewide recognition at the 2026 Texas Association for Pupil Transportation School Bus Driver Safety Competition, also known as the TAPT Roadeo.

After earning top honors at a regional competition, Walker and Sutton advanced to the state competition where participants completed exams covering traffic laws and commercial driver regulations, conducted pre-trip safety inspections, and maneuvered buses through a challenging obstacle course that tested skills such as parallel parking, backing, railroad crossings, and student loading and unloading procedures.

Their achievement reflects the professionalism, skill, and dedication Killeen ISD transportation staff demonstrate every day while safely serving thousands of students across the district.

Killeen ISD's School Nutrition department recently received a District of Excellence award for its growing Supper Program, which launched as a pilot initiative to provide healthy meals for students participating in after-school programs, tutoring, athletics, and enrichment activities. What began with about 1,000 suppers served weekly has rapidly expanded to more than 33,600 meals served each week across 49 campuses, with an average of more than 6,700 students participating daily.

In support of the initiative, Dairy MAX previously awarded Killeen ISD $31,500 in grant funding to help purchase equipment needed to launch the program. Tuesday, a representative presented the department with an additional $25,000 grant to support the Supper Program.

Trustees recognized Executive Director of School Nutrition Steve Smith and School Nutrition Directors Stephanie Russom and Anisah Brown for their leadership in expanding student access to nutritious meals and supporting student success beyond the school day.

Trustees recognized School Nurse Appreciation Week, observed May 6–12, and honored the nurses who serve students and families across Killeen ISD. School nurses play a vital role in supporting the health, safety, and well-being of students each day by providing care, comfort, and support that helps students remain healthy, safe, and ready to learn.

Trustees recognized Joanyett Mays, Director of Nursing and Health Services, and Iris Felder, Executive Director of Administrative Services, on behalf of nurses across the district for their outstanding service, compassion, and dedication to students and families.

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