Fri Sep 05 13:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**Headline: Killeen ISD Considers School Closures Amid Declining Enrollment, Funding Cuts**

**KILLEEN, TX (September 5, 2025) –** The Killeen Independent School District (KISD) is weighing significant changes, including potential school closures, as it grapples with declining enrollment and a looming loss of federal funding. Under a district optimization plan, the district may close several schools and rezone students to better utilize resources.

According to information provided at the August 26th school board meeting, KISD, working with consulting firm Civic Solutions Group, is exploring several scenarios. One scenario would involve closing Peebles Elementary School and rezoning students to Brookhaven, Clifton Park, and Killeen Elementary. A second version of the plan would involve closing both Peebles and Hay Branch Elementary, and sending students to Brookhaven, Cavazos, Clifton Park and Killeen elementary schools.
Another plan involves closing Cedar Valley and Timber Ridge Elementary Schools and rezoning Timber Ridge students to Maude Moore Wood Elementary School. Venable Village Elementary School on Fort Hood could also be closed, with students being rezoned to Iduma, Maxdale and Meadows elementary schools.

At the middle school level, options being considered include closing Eastern Hills Middle School in Harker Heights and rezoning students to Nolan, Manor, and Union Grove Middle Schools. Another scenario involves closing Palo Alto Middle School and potentially repurposing the building as a disciplinary facility.

KISD faces a projected $10 million loss in Impact Aid for the 2025-2026 school year, followed by annual losses of $31 million in subsequent years. Declining birth rates are also contributing to underutilization of facilities, particularly at the elementary level.

“Closure and consolidation is one part of district optimization,” Parker said, “but there are many other parts of it.”

KISD is holding a series of town hall meetings to gather community input on the proposed changes. Town halls are scheduled for:

* **Thursday, Sept. 5, 6-8 p.m.:** Killeen High School cafeteria (discussing Peebles Elementary, Hay Branch Elementary, Manor Middle School, Rancier Middle School, Willow Springs Elementary, and long-term high school planning)
* **Sept. 8, 6-8 p.m.:** Harker Heights High School cafeteria (discussing Cedar Valley Elementary/Timber Ridge Elementary, Eastern Hills Middle School and Willow Springs Elementary, as well as long-term high school planning)
* **Sept. 11, 6-8 p.m.:** The Ellison High School cafeteria (discussing Venable Village Elementary, Palo Alto Middle School, Willow Springs Elementary, and long-term high school planning)

A community survey is also available at [www.killeenisd.org/optimization-survey](http://www.killeenisd.org/optimization-survey) until October 3rd. Final recommendations are expected to be presented to the KISD board in late October.

*_(Today’s weather in the Killeen area is a mix of sun and clouds, with a high of 97F. Winds are from the South at 10 to 15 mph. The forecast for tonight is overcast with a low of 74F. Winds are from the ESE at 5 to 10 mph.)_*

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