The Board Brief - August 25, 2026

Killeen ISD is entering the 2026-27 fiscal year with a lower property tax rate, reduced spending and a significantly smaller planned deficit while continuing to invest in employees, instruction and student safety.

On Tuesday, the Killeen ISD Board of Trustees adopted a General Fund budget of approximately $502.9 million, about $17.6 million less than the previous year's adopted budget.

The district also reduced its planned General Fund deficit from approximately $4.2 million the prior year to $1.4 million, a reduction of about 67 percent as KISD continues working to more closely align ongoing expenditures with available revenue.

Even with the overall reduction in spending, the budget continues to prioritize KISD employees and directs resources to instruction, transportation, safety, and other areas that directly support students.

Employees will see continued investment in compensation, including a $14 minimum hourly wage, a 1 percent general pay increase, an additional $50 per month and a starting teacher salary of $59,400. About 82 percent of General Fund expenditures are dedicated to employee pay and benefits.

The budget also supports two additional teacher contract days focused on Tier I instruction, expanded instructional time in reading and math at middle schools, additional safety personnel and weapons detection systems, and continued transportation improvements, including Smart Tag bus safety and monitoring system and seat belt retrofits for about one-third of the district's bus fleet.

For taxpayers, trustees adopted a total property tax rate of $0.8622 per $100 of valuation, a 1.8 percent decrease from the previous year's rate of $0.8778. The maintenance and operations rate remains unchanged at $0.6682, while the debt service rate decreases from $0.2096 to $0.1940.

Based on the district's tax rate comparison, KISD's $0.8622 rate is the lowest among the seven area school districts.

The district also estimates that taxes on the average KISD residence will decrease from approximately $1,108 to $570. The estimate reflects both the adopted tax rate and changes affecting taxable home values, including the $140,000 homestead exemption.

The budget also maintains services that directly support students and families, including free breakfast at every KISD campus. Free lunch will continue at 34 qualifying campuses; free supper will be available to students at 45 locations, and meal prices will remain unchanged.

The 2026-27 fiscal year begins Sept. 1.

Trustees also received an update Tuesday on Killeen ISD's 2025-26 state accountability results, which showed the district improving five points overall, from 74 to 79.

All four accountability domains improved, including a six-point increase in Academic Growth and five-point increases in both Relative Performance and Closing the Gaps.

Secondary campuses showed particularly strong progress. Ten of KISD's 12 middle schools improved their accountability scores, including Manor Middle School, which moved from an F to a C, and Rancier Middle School, which increased 16 points. All seven high schools either improved or maintained their scores, with three earning A ratings and no high school receiving a D or F.

District leaders emphasized that the focus now shifts from the ratings themselves to using the data to drive continued improvement. Learning Services is analyzing performance by campus, grade level, subject, teacher, team and student group; identifying areas requiring additional focus; aligning intervention and enrichment with student needs; and monitoring progress throughout the school year.

Campuses have also been grouped into tiers to provide targeted levels of support. Strategies for 2026-27 include expanded progress monitoring, structured literacy goals, a revised writing plan and a redesign of math instruction in grades 3-5.

Trustees received an overview of Killeen ISD's new Long-Range Facilities Master Plan, developed with input from more than 100 staff, parents and community members. The plan takes a 10- to 20-year look at the district's facilities, considering enrollment trends, building conditions, campus capacity, safety, accessibility and future educational needs. It will serve as a guide for future Board discussions and decisions as KISD works to responsibly maintain, modernize and invest in facilities that support students for years to come.

Killeen ISD students set a new district record for AP Scholar Awards for the second consecutive year, with 222 students earning recognition, 85 more than last year. Every KISD high school also increased the number of AP Scholars. Students earn AP Scholar recognition from the College Board based on their performance across multiple Advanced Placement exams.

Trustees recognized Killeen ISD campuses that demonstrated significant growth and achievement in the state's 2026 A-F Accountability Ratings, celebrating the students and staff whose work contributed to continued academic progress across the district.

Trustees recognized Killeen ISD’s Early College High School for earning the Texas Education Agency’s 2025-2026 Designated with Distinction recognition, the highest level of recognition awarded to Early College high schools in Texas.

Sasha Lauderdale of Ellison High School was recognized by trustees for outstanding achievement in UIL Theatrical Design, earning recognition at the state level for her work. The honor highlights the creativity, technical skill and dedication required to compete among Texas students in UIL theatrical design.

Trustees recognized 12 campus leaders beginning their first official year as Killeen ISD principals. The group includes six secondary and six elementary principals who are continuing their leadership on familiar campuses, stepping into new roles or bringing experience from other school systems.

The principals recognized were:

Secondary

• Dr. Darion Walton – Shoemaker High School
• Michael Valentine – Rancier Middle School
• Dr. Alime Sadikova – Early College High School
• Ben Hess – Union Grove Middle School
• Genevive Manning – Liberty Hill Middle School
• Donald Bosier – Gateway Middle and High School

Elementary

• Rikki Harper – Maude Moore Wood Elementary
• Felecia Ware-Johnson – Richard E. Cavazos Elementary
• Brittany Nault – Clarke Elementary
• Crystal Smith – Hay Branch Elementary
• Chelsy Rainwater – Reeces Creek Elementary
• Jessica Askew – Ira Cross Elementary

Jamie Stall, counselor at the Killeen ISD Career Center, was named one of just 12 statewide finalists for the Texas FFA Star Counselor Award. The award recognizes counselors who go above and beyond to support student success through agricultural education and FFA programs. Stall was recognized for helping students connect their interests and goals with academic and career pathways while supporting opportunities that build leadership and workforce-ready skills.

Thirty-three Killeen ISD students earned the prestigious Lone Star FFA Degree, the highest degree of membership awarded by the Texas FFA Association. The distinction represents years of dedication to agricultural education and FFA, with students meeting rigorous requirements in leadership, academics, community service and Supervised Agricultural Experience projects.

Email: communications@killeenisd.org
Website: www.killeenisd.org/
Location: 200 N W S Young Dr, Killeen, TX 76543, USA
Phone: (254) 336-0000

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